Shloka 16
Description of the Rules for Charitable Gifts and Related Rites
Gaṅgā-māhātmya
तृप्ताः स्युस्तस्य पितरो नरकस्थाश्च तत्क्षणात् । मृत्कुंभात्ताम्रकुंभैस्तु स्नानं दशगुणं स्मृतम् ॥ १६ ॥
tṛptāḥ syustasya pitaro narakasthāśca tatkṣaṇāt | mṛtkuṃbhāttāmrakuṃbhaistu snānaṃ daśaguṇaṃ smṛtam || 16 ||
Sus Pitṛs quedan satisfechos en ese mismo instante, aun si se hallan en el infierno. Además, se recuerda que bañarse con vasijas de cobre otorga un mérito diez veces mayor que (usar) una vasija de barro.
Narada (teaching within a tirtha-mahatmya/ritual instruction section; traditionally narrated in Purana dialogue, often to Sanatkumara/Suta framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It emphasizes that properly performed sacred bathing/rites can immediately gratify one’s ancestors, extending benefit even to those suffering in naraka, highlighting the potency of tirtha-based dharma.
While primarily ritual-focused, it supports bhakti-informed dharma: caring for pitṛs as a sacred duty and performing purificatory acts with faith, aligning personal practice with cosmic order and divine sanction.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied—specifying ritual implements (earthen vs. copper vessels) and relative merit (daśa-guṇa), a practical rule used in snāna and pitṛ-related observances.