Shloka 17
वृत्ति-सत्सङ्ग-दान-धर्म
Livelihood, Virtuous Association, and Ethics of Giving
गड़ा च सरितां श्रेष्ठा सर्वतीर्थजलोद्धवा । पर्युपासत त॑ देवं रूपिणी कुरुनन्दन
gaṅgā ca saritāṃ śreṣṭhā sarvatīrthajaloddhavā | paryupāsata taṃ devaṃ rūpiṇī kurunandana ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai kebanggaan kaum Kuru, Sungai Gangga—yang terunggul antara segala sungai, yang terjelma daripada air semua tirtha suci—mengambil rupa ketuhanan di sana dan dengan penuh bakti menyembah Tuhan Yang Maha Tinggi, Mahadeva.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the most sanctifying power (Gaṅgā, born of all tīrthas) is portrayed as grounded in reverence toward the Supreme Lord; holiness is fulfilled and directed through devotion and worship, not merely through status or origin.
Bhīṣma describes Gaṅgā appearing in a divine, personified form and performing devoted worship of Mahādeva, while addressing Yudhiṣṭhira as ‘Kurunandana’ within the ongoing instruction of Śānti Parva.