Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 61
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
Gaṅgāmāhātmya
गङ्गायाः परमं नाम पापारण्यदवानलः । भवव्याधिहरा गङ्गा तस्मात्सेव्या प्रयत्नतः ॥ ६१ ॥
gaṅgāyāḥ paramaṃ nāma pāpāraṇyadavānalaḥ | bhavavyādhiharā gaṅgā tasmātsevyā prayatnataḥ || 61 ||
Ang kataas-taasang pangalan ng Gaṅgā ay “ang apoy sa gubat na sumusunog sa kagubatan ng kasalanan.” Inaalis ng Gaṅgā ang sakit ng pag-iral sa samsara; kaya siya’y dapat igalang at paglingkuran nang buong pagsisikap.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It declares Gaṅgā’s highest epithet as the “wildfire that burns the forest of sins,” teaching that her sanctity is not merely physical water but a purifying divine power that destroys pāpa and alleviates saṃsāra’s afflictions.
By urging “sevyā prayatnataḥ” (serve with diligence), it frames reverent service to Gaṅgā—through remembrance, worship, and respectful approach to the tīrtha—as an act of devotion that supports inner purification and liberation-oriented living.
A practical takeaway is the use of nāma (sacred name/epithet) as a focused devotional practice—remembering and reciting Gaṅgā’s purifying name—aligned with mantra-oriented discipline (connected broadly with Śikṣā/phonetic care and ritual application).