Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
नारद उवाच । शप्तः कथं वसिष्ठेन सौदासो नृपसत्तमः । गङ्गाबिन्दूभिषेकेण पुनः शुद्धोऽबवत्कथम् ॥ १ ॥
nārada uvāca | śaptaḥ kathaṃ vasiṣṭhena saudāso nṛpasattamaḥ | gaṅgābindūbhiṣekeṇa punaḥ śuddho'bavatkatham || 1 ||
நாரதர் கூறினார்—அரசர்களில் சிறந்த சௌதாசனை வசிஷ்டர் எவ்வாறு சபித்தார்? கங்கைத் துளிகளின் அபிஷேகத்தால் அவன் மீண்டும் எவ்வாறு தூய்மையடைந்தான்?
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames a dharmic inquiry: even a great king can fall under a curse, yet purification is possible through sacred means—here, the sanctifying power of Gaṅgā-tīrtha and ritual abhiṣeka.
By emphasizing humility and seeking purification through holy agencies (like Gaṅgā), the verse supports a bhakti-shaped attitude: surrendering to sacred grace and restoring purity to resume righteous living and worship.
Ritual practice is implied through the technical act of abhiṣeka (consecratory bathing), aligning with kalpa-style procedural knowledge used in purification rites connected to tīrthas.