Shloka 12
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
तद्गंगादर्शनादेव कलौ प्राहुर्महर्षयः । अथ ते स्मरणस्यापि गंगाया भूपभामिनि ॥ १२ ॥
tadgaṃgādarśanādeva kalau prāhurmaharṣayaḥ | atha te smaraṇasyāpi gaṃgāyā bhūpabhāmini || 12 ||
Les grands sages ont proclamé qu’en l’âge de Kali, le seul fait de contempler la Gaṅgā confère ce mérite. Et de plus, ô reine des rois au rayonnement éclatant, même le simple souvenir de la Gaṅgā l’accorde.
Narada (teaching the Ganga Mahatmya narrative; addressing a royal lady/queen as 'bhūpabhāmini')
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It teaches that in Kali Yuga, spiritual benefit is accessible through simple, sincere acts—especially seeing the holy Gaṅgā, and even remembering her—highlighting the extraordinary sanctity of this tīrtha.
By emphasizing smaraṇa (remembrance) as efficacious, the verse aligns with bhakti practice: inward recollection and reverence can yield merit even without elaborate rites, making devotion practicable in Kali Yuga.
No specific Vedāṅga technicality is taught here; the practical takeaway is dharma of Kali Yuga—tīrtha-darśana and nāma/smaraṇa-based practice as simplified, accessible means of accruing puṇya.