Shloka 17
The Greatness of the Jayantī Vow
Fast, Vigil, and Worship of Hari/Kṛṣṇa
गंगायां नर्मदायां यत्पुण्यं सारस्वते जले । स्नात्वा पुण्यमवाप्नोति जयंत्यां समुपोषणे
gaṃgāyāṃ narmadāyāṃ yatpuṇyaṃ sārasvate jale | snātvā puṇyamavāpnoti jayaṃtyāṃ samupoṣaṇe
ഗംഗ, നർമദ, സരസ്വതി ജലങ്ങളിൽ സ്നാനം ചെയ്താൽ ലഭിക്കുന്ന പുണ്യം, ജയന്തിയിൽ സ്നാനം ചെയ്ത് ഉപവാസം അനുഷ്ഠിച്ചാലും അതേപോലെ ലഭിക്കുന്നു।
Unspecified (narratorial/section voice within Brahma-khaṇḍa; traditional dialogue context not explicit from the single verse)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्पुण्यं = यत् + पुण्यम्. पुण्यमवाप्नोति = पुण्यम् + अवाप्नोति (म् + अ).
FAQs
It equates the merit of bathing in three major sacred rivers (Gaṅgā, Narmadā, Sarasvatī) with the merit gained by bathing and fasting on Jayantī, highlighting vrata-observance as a potent alternative to pilgrimage.
By naming Gaṅgā, Narmadā, and Sarasvatī together, the verse reflects a pan-Indian sacred geography where major river-tīrthas function as standard benchmarks for religious merit.
The verse encourages disciplined observance—especially bathing and fasting on an auspicious occasion (Jayantī)—suggesting that sincere, accessible ritual discipline can equal the fruits of difficult travel to renowned tīrthas.