Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
Gaṅgāmāhātmya
क्षेत्राणामुत्तमं क्षेत्रं तीर्थानां च तथोत्तमम् । गङ्गायमुनयोर्योगं वदन्ति परमर्षयः ॥ ५ ॥
kṣetrāṇāmuttamaṃ kṣetraṃ tīrthānāṃ ca tathottamam | gaṅgāyamunayoryogaṃ vadanti paramarṣayaḥ || 5 ||
ക്ഷേത്രങ്ങളിൽ ഇതാണ് പരമോത്തമ ക്ഷേത്രം; തീർത്ഥങ്ങളിൽ ഇതുതന്നെ ഉത്തമം—എന്ന് പരമർഷികൾ പറയുന്നു—ഗംഗയും യമുനയും ചേരുന്ന പുണ്യസംഗമം।
Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition; verse presented as a received declaration of the great sages)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It proclaims the Gaṅgā–Yamunā confluence as the highest of kṣetras and tīrthas, emphasizing that sacred geography can serve as a powerful support for purification (puṇya) and dharmic upliftment.
By glorifying a supreme tīrtha, the verse supports bhakti through pilgrimage, reverent bathing, and remembrance of sacred rivers—acts traditionally performed with devotion to the Lord and faith in dharma.
Primarily kalpa-style practical dharma: choosing an auspicious tīrtha for rites like snāna (ritual bathing) and related observances; no direct focus on vyākaraṇa or jyotiṣa is stated in this verse.