Shloka 20
The Account of the Fruits of Bathing at Particular Sacred Places
Tīrtha-viśeṣa-snāna-phala
गंगातीरे तु संप्राप्ता इंदोः कोटी रवेर्दश । वारुणेन समायुक्ता मधौ कृष्णा त्रयोदशी । गंगायां यदि लभ्येत सूर्यग्रहशतैः समा ॥ २० ॥
gaṃgātīre tu saṃprāptā iṃdoḥ koṭī raverdaśa | vāruṇena samāyuktā madhau kṛṣṇā trayodaśī | gaṃgāyāṃ yadi labhyeta sūryagrahaśataiḥ samā || 20 ||
गङ्गातीरे तु संप्राप्ता इन्दोः कोटि रवेर्दश । वारुणेन समायुक्ता मधौ कृष्णा त्रयोदशी । गङ्गायां यदि लभ्येत सूर्यग्रहशतैः समा ॥ २० ॥
Narada (teaching in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya dialogue, traditionally conveyed within the Narada–Sanatkumara frame)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"bhakti","emotional_journey":"Builds wonder through precise calendrical alignment (month, pakṣa, tithi, ‘Vāruṇa’ association) culminating in a dramatic equivalence to vast numbers of eclipses’ merit at Gaṅgā."}
FAQs
It elevates Gaṅgā-tīrtha observance by declaring that performing the specified Trayodaśī timing at the Gaṅgā carries eclipse-level merit, underscoring the exceptional purifying power (tīrtha-mahātmyā) of the river.
By emphasizing sacred time (tithi) and sacred place (Gaṅgā) as supports for worship and vows, it encourages devotees to align practice with auspicious occasions—strengthening faith, discipline, and God-centered ritual intent.
It applies Jyotiṣa/Vedāṅga timing: month (Madhu/Caitra), fortnight (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa), tithi (trayodaśī), and comparative phala using eclipse benchmarks (grahaṇa), guiding ritual scheduling and merit assessment.