Shloka 39
The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
यज्ञैर्यमैश्च नियमैर्दानैः संन्यासतोऽपि वा । न तत्फलमवाप्रोति गंगां सेव्य यदाप्नुयात् ॥ ४० ॥
yajñairyamaiśca niyamairdānaiḥ saṃnyāsato'pi vā | na tatphalamavāproti gaṃgāṃ sevya yadāpnuyāt || 40 ||
ಯಜ್ಞಗಳು, ಯಮ-ನಿಯಮಗಳು, ದಾನಗಳು ಅಥವಾ ಸನ್ನ್ಯಾಸದಿಂದಲೂ, ಗಂಗೆಯನ್ನು ಸೇವಿಸಿದಾಗ ದೊರಕುವ ಅದೇ ಫಲ ದೊರಕುವುದಿಲ್ಲ।
Narada (teaching in the Ganga Mahatmya section; framed within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue tradition)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhakti","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"A sweeping comparison of disciplines culminates in a definitive claim: Gaṅgā-sevā yields a unique, unsurpassed fruit."}
FAQs
It declares the extraordinary sanctifying power of Gaṅgā-sevā: the merit gained by devoted service to the Gaṅgā surpasses the results of major ritual and ascetic disciplines, highlighting tirtha as a direct purifier and giver of spiritual fruit.
By valuing “service” (seva) to a sacred manifestation like Gaṅgā above formal austerities, the verse emphasizes heartfelt devotional engagement—approaching the holy with reverence and surrender—as a potent means to spiritual attainment.
The verse references dharma-sādhana categories—yajña (kalpa/ritual practice) and yama–niyama (discipline aligned with dharma)—and teaches their comparative phala (results), a practical takeaway for prioritizing tirtha-sevā within ritual life.