Shloka 20
The Account of the Fruits of Bathing at Particular Sacred Places
Tīrtha-viśeṣa-snāna-phala
गंगातीरे तु संप्राप्ता इंदोः कोटी रवेर्दश । वारुणेन समायुक्ता मधौ कृष्णा त्रयोदशी । गंगायां यदि लभ्येत सूर्यग्रहशतैः समा ॥ २० ॥
gaṃgātīre tu saṃprāptā iṃdoḥ koṭī raverdaśa | vāruṇena samāyuktā madhau kṛṣṇā trayodaśī | gaṃgāyāṃ yadi labhyeta sūryagrahaśataiḥ samā || 20 ||
When, on the bank of the Gaṅgā in the month of Madhu (Caitra), the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodaśī) of the dark fortnight occurs, joined with the Vāruṇa (water) influence, then—if it is obtained and observed at the Gaṅgā—it yields merit equal to ten crores of lunar eclipses and one hundred solar eclipses.
Narada (teaching in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya dialogue, traditionally conveyed within the Narada–Sanatkumara frame)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates Gaṅgā-tīrtha observance by declaring that performing the specified Trayodaśī timing at the Gaṅgā carries eclipse-level merit, underscoring the exceptional purifying power (tīrtha-mahātmyā) of the river.
By emphasizing sacred time (tithi) and sacred place (Gaṅgā) as supports for worship and vows, it encourages devotees to align practice with auspicious occasions—strengthening faith, discipline, and God-centered ritual intent.
It applies Jyotiṣa/Vedāṅga timing: month (Madhu/Caitra), fortnight (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa), tithi (trayodaśī), and comparative phala using eclipse benchmarks (grahaṇa), guiding ritual scheduling and merit assessment.