Shloka 39
The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
यज्ञैर्यमैश्च नियमैर्दानैः संन्यासतोऽपि वा । न तत्फलमवाप्रोति गंगां सेव्य यदाप्नुयात् ॥ ४० ॥
yajñairyamaiśca niyamairdānaiḥ saṃnyāsato'pi vā | na tatphalamavāproti gaṃgāṃ sevya yadāpnuyāt || 40 ||
யாகங்கள், யம-நியமங்கள், தானம் அல்லது சந்நியாசம் ஆகியவற்றாலும், கங்கையைச் சேவிப்பதால் கிடைக்கும் அதே பலன் கிடையாது।
Narada (teaching in the Ganga Mahatmya section; framed within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It declares the extraordinary sanctifying power of Gaṅgā-sevā: the merit gained by devoted service to the Gaṅgā surpasses the results of major ritual and ascetic disciplines, highlighting tirtha as a direct purifier and giver of spiritual fruit.
By valuing “service” (seva) to a sacred manifestation like Gaṅgā above formal austerities, the verse emphasizes heartfelt devotional engagement—approaching the holy with reverence and surrender—as a potent means to spiritual attainment.
The verse references dharma-sādhana categories—yajña (kalpa/ritual practice) and yama–niyama (discipline aligned with dharma)—and teaches their comparative phala (results), a practical takeaway for prioritizing tirtha-sevā within ritual life.