Shloka 9
The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
पूर्वे वयसि पापानि कृत्वा कर्माणि ये नराः । शेषे गंगां निषेवंते तेऽपि यांति परां गतिम् ॥ १० ॥
pūrve vayasi pāpāni kṛtvā karmāṇi ye narāḥ | śeṣe gaṃgāṃ niṣevaṃte te'pi yāṃti parāṃ gatim || 10 ||
இளமையில் பாவச் செயல்களை செய்தவர்களும், வாழ்வின் இறுதிக் காலத்தில் श्रद्धையுடன் கங்கையைச் சார்ந்தால், அவர்களும் பரம நிலையை அடைவார்கள்।
Narada (teaching within the Ganga-mahatmya discourse of Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that sincere later-life turning toward Gaṅgā-sevā (reverent resort to the sacred river) can purify even earlier wrongdoing and lead one to the supreme spiritual destination (parā gati).
By emphasizing niṣeva—devoted resorting/serving—this verse frames Gaṅgā not merely as water but as a sacred presence approached with faith, humility, and continued practice, aligning with bhakti-oriented purification and upliftment.
Rather than a technical Vedāṅga lesson (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa), the verse highlights applied Dharma: tīrtha-sevana as a recognized purificatory discipline (prāyaścitta) within Purāṇic ritual culture.