Shloka 17
वृत्ति-सत्सङ्ग-दान-धर्म
Livelihood, Virtuous Association, and Ethics of Giving
गड़ा च सरितां श्रेष्ठा सर्वतीर्थजलोद्धवा । पर्युपासत त॑ देवं रूपिणी कुरुनन्दन
gaṅgā ca saritāṃ śreṣṭhā sarvatīrthajaloddhavā | paryupāsata taṃ devaṃ rūpiṇī kurunandana ||
कुरुनन्दन! समस्त तीर्थों के जल से प्रकट हुई सरिताओं में श्रेष्ठ गंगा वहाँ दिव्य रूप धारण करके उस देवाधिदेव महादेव की भक्ति-पूर्वक आराधना कर रही थीं।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the most sanctifying power (Gaṅgā, born of all tīrthas) is portrayed as grounded in reverence toward the Supreme Lord; holiness is fulfilled and directed through devotion and worship, not merely through status or origin.
Bhīṣma describes Gaṅgā appearing in a divine, personified form and performing devoted worship of Mahādeva, while addressing Yudhiṣṭhira as ‘Kurunandana’ within the ongoing instruction of Śānti Parva.