Shloka 11
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
नैमिषे च कुरुक्षेत्रे नर्मदायां च पुष्करे । स्नानात्संस्पर्शना सेव्य यत्फलं लभते नरः ॥ ११ ॥
naimiṣe ca kurukṣetre narmadāyāṃ ca puṣkare | snānātsaṃsparśanā sevya yatphalaṃ labhate naraḥ || 11 ||
नैमिष, कुरुक्षेत्र, नर्मदा आणि पुष्कर येथे स्नान केल्याने—किंवा केवळ स्पर्शानेही—श्रद्धेने सेविल्यास जे फळ मिळते, ते फळ नरास प्राप्त होते।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that certain renowned tīrthas confer dhārmic merit not only through full ritual bathing but even through simple physical contact, emphasizing the sanctity (māhātmya) of these places.
Bhakti is implied through “sevyā”—reverent resorting to holy places—showing that devotion expressed as humble pilgrimage and sacred observance becomes a means to accrue spiritual merit.
Ritual practice (kalpa-oriented conduct) is highlighted: the verse distinguishes snāna (bath) and sparśa (contact) as valid modes of tīrtha-sevā, guiding practical pilgrimage observance.