Shloka 47
The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
यदग्निहोत्रिणां पुण्यं तत्तु गंगानिवासतः । समातृपितृदाराणां कुलकोटिमनंतकम् ॥ ४८ ॥
yadagnihotriṇāṃ puṇyaṃ tattu gaṃgānivāsataḥ | samātṛpitṛdārāṇāṃ kulakoṭimanaṃtakam || 48 ||
अग्निहोत्र करने वालों का जो पुण्य है, वही गंगा-तट पर निवास से मिलता है; माता, पिता और पत्नी सहित कुल की असंख्य कोटियों तक उसका अक्षय फल फैलता है।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates Gaṅgā-residence as a powerful tirtha-sādhanā, stating that the sanctity of living by the Gaṅgā can bestow merit comparable to Agnihotra and benefit one’s lineage extensively.
By praising Gaṅgā-nivāsa, it points to devotional sacred geography (tirtha-sevā) as an accessible practice—staying near the holy river with reverence becomes a bhakti-supporting way of life that yields spiritual fruit.
Ritual knowledge is implied through Agnihotra (Śrauta/Smārta practice): the verse uses Agnihotra as a benchmark of Vedic ritual merit to communicate the exceptional efficacy of tirtha-mahātmyas.