Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 126

The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release

Devanagari script

तस्माद्विप्र महाभाग सर्वशास्त्रार्थकोविद । गङ्गाजलप्रदानेन पाह्मस्मान्पापकर्मिणः ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

tasmādvipra mahābhāga sarvaśāstrārthakovida | gaṅgājalapradānena pāhmasmānpāpakarmiṇaḥ || 26 ||

Translation

Maka, wahai brāhmaṇa yang mulia lagi berbahagia, yang memahami maksud segala śāstra, lindungilah kami yang bergelumang perbuatan dosa dengan anugerah pemberian air Gaṅgā.

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादानार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तस्मात् (सर्वनाम; तद्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ablatival adverb (तस्मात्-इत्यव्ययीभाव/निपातवत्), meaning ‘therefore/from that’

• विप्र: O brahmin
• विप्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• महाभाग: O greatly fortunate one
• महाभाग: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-भाग (प्रातिपदिक; components: महा + भाग)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• सर्वशास्त्रार्थकोविद: O knower of the meanings of all śāstras
• सर्वशास्त्रार्थकोविद: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-शास्त्र-अर्थ-कोविद (प्रातिपदिक; components: सर्व + शास्त्र + अर्थ + कोविद)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• गङ्गाजलप्रदानेन: by the offering/giving of Ganga water
• गङ्गाजलप्रदानेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा-जल-प्रदान (प्रातिपदिक; components: गङ्गा + जल + प्रदान)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• पाहि: protect
• पाहि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• अस्मान्: us
• अस्मान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Accusative (द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• पापकर्मिणः: sinful-doers
• पापकर्मिणः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाप-कर्मिन् (प्रातिपदिक; components: पाप + कर्मिन्)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); adjective qualifying अस्मान्

Speaker

Unspecified petitioner(s) addressing a learned brāhmaṇa (contextual dialogue within Narada Purana’s teaching frame, often relayed by Narada/Sanatkumāras tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Ganga

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It presents Gaṅgā-jala-pradāna (offering or gifting Gaṅgā water) as a potent act of purification and protection, appealing to śāstra-grounded compassion to uplift even those burdened by sinful karma.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

While not directly naming a deity, it reflects bhakti’s humility and surrender—seeking refuge through a sacred medium (Gaṅgā) and the guidance of a śāstra-knowing devotee, trusting divine purity to transform the sinner.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It emphasizes śāstrārtha (scriptural hermeneutics)—the ability to discern the meaning of texts to prescribe effective prayāścitta and dāna practices, a practical application aligned with dharma-śāstra reasoning.