Shloka 48
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
यो गृहे स्वे स्थितोऽपि त्वां स्नाने संकीर्तयिष्यति । सोऽपि यास्यति नाकं वै इत्याह वरुणश्च ताम् ॥ ४८ ॥
yo gṛhe sve sthito'pi tvāṃ snāne saṃkīrtayiṣyati | so'pi yāsyati nākaṃ vai ityāha varuṇaśca tām || 48 ||
Even one who remains in his own home—if, at the time of bathing, he chants your name in praise—he too will surely attain Nāka, the heavenly realm. Thus did Varuṇa speak to her.
Varuṇa
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that sacred merit is not limited by location: even at home, combining bathing (snāna) with devotional praise (saṃkīrtana) yields exalted spiritual fruit—here stated as attainment of heaven.
By emphasizing saṃkīrtana—audible, heartfelt glorification—as a potent act of devotion that sanctifies an ordinary daily act (bathing) and makes the benefit accessible to all, not only to pilgrims.
Kalpa (ritual discipline) is implied: the timing and manner of snāna, joined with recitation/chanting, shows how daily rites become spiritually efficacious through correct observance and intentional remembrance.