Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1
The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali
नारद उवाच । विष्णुपादाग्रसंभूता या गङ्गेत्यभिधीयते । तदुत्पत्तिं वद भ्रातरनुग्राह्योऽस्मि ते यदि ॥ १ ॥
nārada uvāca | viṣṇupādāgrasaṃbhūtā yā gaṅgetyabhidhīyate | tadutpattiṃ vada bhrātaranugrāhyo'smi te yadi || 1 ||
நாரதர் கூறினார்—‘கங்கை’ என அழைக்கப்படும் அந்த நதி, திருமால் விஷ்ணுவின் திருப்பாத நுனியிலிருந்து தோன்றினாள் என்று சொல்லப்படுகிறது. சகோதரா, நான் உமது அருளுக்குத் தகுதியானவன் என்றால் அவளது தோற்றத்தைச் சொல்லும்.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It frames Ganga as divinely sourced—emerging from Vishnu—thereby establishing her as a supremely purifying tirtha whose sanctity is rooted in Vaishnava theology.
Narada approaches with humility and seeks instruction as a form of grace (anugraha), modeling the bhakti attitude: reverent inquiry, surrender, and dependence on the Lord and guru-like elders for sacred knowledge.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana or Jyotisha) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is the Purana-method of dharmic learning—receiving tirtha-mahatmya through respectful questioning and authoritative narration.