The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
धर्मशास्त्रप्रसंगेन तयोः पापं क्षयं गतम् । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे प्राप्तः कश्चिद्विप्रोऽतिधार्मिकः ॥ १२ ॥
dharmaśāstraprasaṃgena tayoḥ pāpaṃ kṣayaṃ gatam | etasminnantare prāptaḥ kaścidvipro'tidhārmikaḥ || 12 ||
ధర్మశాస్త్ర ప్రసంగంతో వారిద్దరి పాపం క్షయమైంది. అదే సమయంలో అత్యంత ధార్మికుడైన ఒక బ్రాహ్మణుడు అక్కడికి వచ్చాడు॥
Narrator (Purāṇic narration within the Narada Purana)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
It teaches that engagement with Dharmaśāstra—serious reflection on righteous conduct—functions as a purifier, bringing about pāpa-kṣaya (the wearing away of sin) and preparing the scene for guidance by a truly dhārmic person.
While Bhakti is not named directly here, the verse supports a core Purāṇic principle: purification through dharma and right understanding creates fitness for higher practices, including devotion—often mediated by meeting a saintly brāhmaṇa or teacher.
The emphasis is on Dharmaśāstra (smṛti-based applied dharma) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it highlights ethical-ritual discernment (sadācāra and proper conduct) as a lived discipline that leads to purification.