Shloka 49

The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

विनयाचारसंपत्तिर्गंगाभक्तस्य जायते । कृतकृत्यो भवेन्मर्त्यो गंगां प्राप्यैव केवलम् ॥ ५० ॥

Transliteration

vinayācārasaṃpattirgaṃgābhaktasya jāyate | kṛtakṛtyo bhavenmartyo gaṃgāṃ prāpyaiva kevalam || 50 ||

Translation

ଗଙ୍ଗାଭକ୍ତଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ବିନୟ ଓ ସଦାଚାରର ସମ୍ପଦ ସ୍ୱତଃ ଜନ୍ମ ନେଇଥାଏ। କେବଳ ଗଙ୍ଗାକୁ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ କରିଲେ ମାତ୍ରେ ମନୁଷ୍ୟ କୃତକୃତ୍ୟ ହୁଏ।

Word by Word

• vinaya-ācāra-saṃpattiḥ: the wealth of humility and good conduct
• vinaya-ācāra-saṃpattiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vinaya (प्रातिपदिक) + ācāra (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃpatti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) singular (एकवचन)

• gaṅgā-bhaktasya: of a devotee of the Ganga
• gaṅgā-bhaktasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी) singular (एकवचन)

• jāyate: arises/is born
• jāyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jan (जन् धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• kṛta-kṛtyaḥ: fulfilled (having accomplished duties)
• kṛta-kṛtyaḥ: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानााधिकरण/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ/कृ धातु) + kṛtya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) singular (एकवचन); predicate adjective meaning 'one who has done what should be done'

• bhavet: would become
• bhavet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• martyaḥ: a mortal
• martyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: martya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) singular (एकवचन)

• gaṅgām: the Ganga
• gaṅgām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) singular (एकवचन)

• prāpya: having reached
• prāpya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √āp (आप् धातु) with pra-; ल्यप् (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: Absolutive/gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त), prior action 'having attained'

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात), indeclinable

• kevalam: only
• kevalam: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kevala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Used adverbially (क्रियाविशेषणवत्) meaning 'only/merely'

Speaker

Narada (as narrator/teacher in the Ganga Mahatmya section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhakti","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"From inner transformation (humility and right conduct arising) to a culminating declaration of life’s fulfillment through reaching Ganga."}

Characters & Entities

• Ganga

FAQs

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

It declares that devotion to the Gaṅgā is not merely external pilgrimage; it transforms character (humility and right conduct) and is presented as sufficient to make a human life ‘fulfilled’ through contact with a supreme tīrtha.

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

Bhakti here is shown by its fruits: inner refinement (vinaya) and disciplined living (ācāra). The verse frames devotion to the sacred river as a direct, grace-bearing means that completes one’s spiritual aim.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is dharma in the form of sadācāra—cultivating humility and proper conduct as the lived discipline accompanying tīrtha-bhakti.