Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 138
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
वसिष्ठशापात्प्राप्तः स सौदासौ राक्षसीं तनुम् । गङ्गाबिन्दुनिषेकेण पुनर्मुक्तो नृपोऽभवत् ॥ १३८ ॥
vasiṣṭhaśāpātprāptaḥ sa saudāsau rākṣasīṃ tanum | gaṅgābinduniṣekeṇa punarmukto nṛpo'bhavat || 138 ||
Dahil sa sumpa ni Vasiṣṭha, ang haring Saudāsa ay nagkaroon ng anyong rākṣasa. Ngunit sa pagwiwisik ng isang patak ng tubig ng Gaṅgā, siya’y napalaya at muling naging hari.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It teaches that even severe afflictions like a sage’s curse can be neutralized through the sanctifying power of a tīrtha—here symbolized by a single drop of Gaṅgā—highlighting purification (pāpa-śodhana) and restoration to dharma.
Though not explicitly naming bhakti, it supports the bhakti-oriented Purāṇic idea that sacred means connected to the divine—such as Gaṅgā, revered as holy and Viṣṇu-associated—can transform one’s condition when approached with faith and reverence.
It points to kalpa/ritual-practice in Purāṇic form: the use of consecrated water (tīrtha-jala) as a purificatory rite (prokṣaṇa/niṣeka) within dharmic observance.