The Greatness of Haridvāra
Gaṅgādvāra-māhātmya
तत्र स्नात्वा महाभागे यो नरः श्रद्धयान्वितः । सोपवासः समभ्यर्चेद्बाह्यणं वेदपारगम् ॥ २९ ॥
tatra snātvā mahābhāge yo naraḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ | sopavāsaḥ samabhyarcedbāhyaṇaṃ vedapāragam || 29 ||
Wahai yang mulia, siapa pun yang mandi di sana dengan penuh श्रद्धा, lalu berpuasa dan memuliakan seorang Brāhmaṇa yang mahir dalam Weda dengan tata cara yang benar, ia memperoleh buah pahala yang ditetapkan bagi laku suci itu.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
It teaches that tīrtha-bathing becomes spiritually effective when joined with śraddhā (faith), upavāsa (fasting/discipline), and respectful service to a Veda-learned Brāhmaṇa—linking purification, restraint, and reverence for sacred knowledge.
Bhakti here is expressed as reverent action: approaching a sacred place with faith, practicing self-control through fasting, and honoring those who embody Vedic wisdom—devotion shown through humility and worshipful service.
The verse emphasizes the authority of Veda-pāragas (those fully grounded in Vedic learning), implying that correct ritual conduct at tīrthas depends on proper Vedic guidance—aligned with Kalpa (ritual procedure) and related Vedāṅga disciplines.