Shloka 26
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
गंगायाः कीर्तनेनैव शुभां गतिमवाप्नुयात् । ब्रह्महा गुरुहागोघ्नः स्पृष्टो वा सर्वपातकैः ॥ २६ ॥
gaṃgāyāḥ kīrtanenaiva śubhāṃ gatimavāpnuyāt | brahmahā guruhāgoghnaḥ spṛṣṭo vā sarvapātakaiḥ || 26 ||
गंगा के कीर्तन मात्र से ही मनुष्य शुभ गति को प्राप्त होता है—चाहे वह ब्रह्महत्या, गुरुवध, गोहत्या का पापी हो या समस्त महापातकों से स्पृष्ट हो।
Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue stream; Ganga-mahatmya narration in Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It teaches the extraordinary purificatory power of Gaṅgā-kīrtana: even those burdened with mahāpātakas (grave sins) can attain a शुभा गति—an auspicious spiritual end—through sincere glorification of the sacred river.
It emphasizes devotional speech (kīrtana) as a direct means of grace: remembrance and praise of a holy embodiment of tīrtha-sakti (Gaṅgā) functions like bhakti-practice, transforming the devotee’s destiny beyond prior impurity.
The verse points to prayoga-based dharma (prāyaścitta logic): purification can occur through prescribed sacred recitation (kīrtana/śravaṇa), aligning with Smṛti-Purāṇic ritual principles rather than technical Vedāṅga topics like Jyotiṣa or Vyākaraṇa.