Shloka 57
The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
गंडूषमात्रपाने तु अश्वमेधफलं लभेत् । स्वच्छंदं यः पिबेदंभस्तस्य मुक्तिः करे स्थिता ॥ ५८ ॥
gaṃḍūṣamātrapāne tu aśvamedhaphalaṃ labhet | svacchaṃdaṃ yaḥ pibedaṃbhastasya muktiḥ kare sthitā || 58 ||
By merely drinking a ritual mouthful (gandūṣa), one gains the fruit of the Aśvamedha sacrifice. But for the one who drinks the water freely, with faith and reverence, liberation itself stands—as it were—in the palm of his hand.
Narada (as narrator/teacher within the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It magnifies the sanctifying power of water-related observances: even a small, disciplined sip (gaṇḍūṣa) is said to yield immense sacrificial merit, and sincere, reverent drinking is praised as a direct aid toward moksha.
By implying that simple, accessible acts—when done with faith and purity—can bring extraordinary spiritual results, it aligns with bhakti-oriented Purāṇic teaching where heartfelt practice outweighs costly ritual grandeur.
Ritual discipline and correct observance (kalpa-oriented practice) are implied through gaṇḍūṣa—measured sipping as a purificatory act—showing how small procedural details in rites are treated as spiritually potent.