Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
Gaṅgāmāhātmya
स स्नातः सर्वतीर्थेषु यो गङ्गां स्मरति द्विज । पुण्यक्षेत्रेषु सर्वेषु स्थितवान्नात्र संशयः ॥ १८ ॥
sa snātaḥ sarvatīrtheṣu yo gaṅgāṃ smarati dvija | puṇyakṣetreṣu sarveṣu sthitavānnātra saṃśayaḥ || 18 ||
हे द्विज! जो गंगेचे स्मरण करतो, तो जणू सर्व तीर्थांत स्नान करून आला; आणि सर्व पुण्यक्षेत्रांत स्थित झाला—यात संशय नाही.
Narada (teaching to a dvija within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It elevates smaraṇa (devout remembrance) of the Gaṅgā as spiritually equivalent to physically bathing at all tīrthas, emphasizing inner purity and sacred recollection as a potent source of puṇya.
By presenting remembrance as efficacious, it aligns with bhakti’s core method—continuous mindful recollection—showing that sincere inner connection can confer the fruits of major pilgrimage acts.
It reflects dharma-śāstric ritual reasoning: when physical tīrtha-snāna is not feasible, manasa (mental) practice—smaraṇa—serves as a valid substitute for purification and merit within orthodox conduct.