Shloka 3

The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य वसोः स्वस्य पुरोधसः । प्रणता मोहिनी प्राह गंगास्नानकृतादरा ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya vasoḥ svasya purodhasaḥ | praṇatā mohinī prāha gaṃgāsnānakṛtādarā || 4 ||

Translation

Entendant ces paroles du prêtre domestique de Vasu, Mohinī s’inclina avec révérence et répondit, son respect accru par le mérite et la sainteté du bain dans la Gaṅgā.

Word by Word

• tat: that (speech)
• tat: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of श्रुत्वा

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया/gerundial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), 'having heard'

• vacanam: statement, words
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; in apposition to तत्

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• vasoḥ: of Vasu
• vasoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• svasya: of her own
• svasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; reflexive pronoun

• purodhasaḥ: of the family priest
• purodhasaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purodhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• praṇatā: bowed down, having paid obeisance
• praṇatā: Visheshana (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-ṇata (कृदन्त, √nam)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; used adjectivally for मोहिनी

• mohinī: Mohinī
• mohinī: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mohinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• prāha: said
• prāha: Kriya (क्रिया/main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ah (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• gaṅgā-snāna-kṛta-ādarā: with reverence arising from bathing in the Gaṅgā
• gaṅgā-snāna-kṛta-ādarā: Visheshana (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक) + snāna (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛta (कृदन्त, √kṛ) + ādara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः ('one whose reverence is produced by bathing in the Gaṅgā' / 'having reverence due to Gaṅgā-bath') qualifying मोहिनी

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narration; dialogue frame within the story)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vasu
• Purohita
• Mohini
• Ganga

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It highlights tīrtha-snāna—especially Gaṅgā-bathing—as a purifier that awakens humility (praṇāma) and reverence (ādara), preparing one to respond and act dharmically.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Bhakti is expressed through embodied acts of sanctity—like Gaṅgā-snāna—leading to a softened, respectful disposition (ādara) and submissiveness (praṇati), which are core devotional virtues.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to kalpa-style ritual practice: tīrtha-snāna as a prescribed act for purification and merit, showing how dharma is enacted through regulated rites rather than abstract belief alone.