Shloka 14
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
पततो नरके गङ्गा स्मृता दूरात्समुद्धरेत् । योजनानां सहस्रेषु गंगां स्मरति यो नरः ॥ १४ ॥
patato narake gaṅgā smṛtā dūrātsamuddharet | yojanānāṃ sahasreṣu gaṃgāṃ smarati yo naraḥ || 14 ||
നരകത്തിലേക്ക് വീഴുന്നവനും ഗംഗയെ സ്മരിച്ചാൽ, ഗംഗ ദൂരത്തുനിന്നുതന്നെ അവനെ ഉയർത്തി രക്ഷിക്കും. ആയിരം യോജന ദൂരത്തുനിന്നും ഗംഗയെ സ്മരിക്കുന്നവൻ മോചിതനാകും.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"bhakti","emotional_journey":"A startling claim of rescue even from hell through mere remembrance, expanding awe by stressing efficacy across vast distance (thousands of yojanas)."}
FAQs
It teaches that Gaṅgā is not only a physical tirtha but a salvific divine power: even mere remembrance (smaraṇa) of Gaṅgā can counteract extreme downfall (symbolized by “falling into hell”) and bring spiritual uplift.
The verse emphasizes smaraṇa—devotional remembrance—as an effective bhakti-practice: heartfelt recollection of a sacred embodiment of grace (Gaṅgā) is presented as potent even without physical proximity.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is tirtha-smaraṇa as a simple sādhanā—remembering Gaṅgā as a purifying act when travel or ritual performance is not possible.