Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
Gaṅgāmāhātmya
अहो गङ्गा जगद्धात्री स्नानपानादिभिर्जगत् । पुनाति पावनीत्येषा न कथं सेव्यते नृभिः ॥ ३३ ॥
aho gaṅgā jagaddhātrī snānapānādibhirjagat | punāti pāvanītyeṣā na kathaṃ sevyate nṛbhiḥ || 33 ||
ああ、ガンガーは世界を支える母。沐浴し、飲み、その他の行いによって世を清める。浄化者として名高いのに、なぜ人々は彼女に仕え、近づいて礼拝しないのか。
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It elevates Gaṅgā as a living tīrtha whose contact—especially through snāna and pāna—removes impurity and accrues puṇya, urging people to actively seek sacred purification rather than neglect it.
By praising Gaṅgā as “pāvanī” and asking why she is not served, the verse frames tīrtha-sevā (reverent resorting to a sacred place) as a practical expression of devotion—humble service and faith embodied in ritual action.
Ritual practice (kalpa-oriented conduct) is implied: tīrtha-snānā (sacred bathing), ācamana/pāna in a sanctified context, and observance of śauca (purity rules) as applied dharma in daily life.