Shloka 39
The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
यज्ञैर्यमैश्च नियमैर्दानैः संन्यासतोऽपि वा । न तत्फलमवाप्रोति गंगां सेव्य यदाप्नुयात् ॥ ४० ॥
yajñairyamaiśca niyamairdānaiḥ saṃnyāsato'pi vā | na tatphalamavāproti gaṃgāṃ sevya yadāpnuyāt || 40 ||
Par les sacrifices, par les yamas et les niyamas, par les dons, ou même par le renoncement, on n’obtient pas ce fruit même que l’on gagne en servant la Gaṅgā.
Narada (teaching in the Ganga Mahatmya section; framed within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It declares the extraordinary sanctifying power of Gaṅgā-sevā: the merit gained by devoted service to the Gaṅgā surpasses the results of major ritual and ascetic disciplines, highlighting tirtha as a direct purifier and giver of spiritual fruit.
By valuing “service” (seva) to a sacred manifestation like Gaṅgā above formal austerities, the verse emphasizes heartfelt devotional engagement—approaching the holy with reverence and surrender—as a potent means to spiritual attainment.
The verse references dharma-sādhana categories—yajña (kalpa/ritual practice) and yama–niyama (discipline aligned with dharma)—and teaches their comparative phala (results), a practical takeaway for prioritizing tirtha-sevā within ritual life.