Shloka 33
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
अश्वमेधफलं मर्त्यो गंगायां लभते ध्रुवम् । अनेकजन्मसंभूतं पुंसः पापं प्रणश्यति ॥ ३३ ॥
aśvamedhaphalaṃ martyo gaṃgāyāṃ labhate dhruvam | anekajanmasaṃbhūtaṃ puṃsaḥ pāpaṃ praṇaśyati || 33 ||
มนุษย์ผู้เป็นมรรตย์เมื่อมาลงในคงคา ย่อมได้ผลแห่งอัศวเมธยัญอย่างแน่นอน; และบาปที่สั่งสมมาหลายชาติย่อมพินาศ.
Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework; Ganga Mahatmya narration)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"A sense of wonder at Gaṅgā’s extraordinary efficacy—granting Aśvamedha-like fruit—settling into assurance as multi-birth sins are declared destroyed."}
FAQs
It declares the Gaṅgā as a supreme tīrtha: contact with her (especially through sacred bathing and reverent observance) grants extraordinary merit comparable to major Vedic sacrifices and removes deeply accumulated karmic impurity.
By elevating the Gaṅgā as a divinely potent presence, the verse supports bhakti through reverent approach—faith, humility, and worshipful engagement with a sacred manifestation connected to dharma and purification.
Ritual application (Kalpa) is implied: the verse contrasts large-scale śrauta yajña merit (Aśvamedha) with tīrtha-based prayāścitta practices such as Gaṅgā-snānā and purification rites.