Shloka 28
Description of the Rules for Charitable Gifts and Related Rites
Gaṅgā-māhātmya
सर्वानंदप्रदायिन्यां गंगायां यो नरोत्तमः । अष्टाक्षरं जपेद्भक्त्य मुक्तिस्तस्य करे स्थिता ॥ २८ ॥
sarvānaṃdapradāyinyāṃ gaṃgāyāṃ yo narottamaḥ | aṣṭākṣaraṃ japedbhaktya muktistasya kare sthitā || 28 ||
सर्वानन्दप्रदायिन्यां गङ्गायां यो नरोत्तमः भक्त्या अष्टाक्षरं मन्त्रं जपति, तस्य मुक्तिः करे स्थितेव भवति।
Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue tradition; verse presented as a mahatmya statement in Uttara-bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It teaches that Gaṅgā-tīrtha combined with devoted mantra-japa yields swift spiritual fruition—so certain that mokṣa is described as being “in one’s hand.”
Bhakti is emphasized through “bhaktyā japed”—liberation is not presented as mere ritual merit but as the fruit of heartfelt, steady remembrance of the Lord via the eight-syllabled mantra.
Mantra-prayoga (practical application of sacred recitation) is implied: correct japa of a fixed-syllable mantra (aṣṭākṣarī) at a tīrtha, aligning with śikṣā (phonetics) and kalpa (ritual procedure) in practice.