Shloka 38
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
गङ्गास्नानेन विधिवन्मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः । गङ्गा स्नानात्परं स्नानं न भूतं न भविष्यति ॥ ३८ ॥
gaṅgāsnānena vidhivanmucyate sarvapātakaiḥ | gaṅgā snānātparaṃ snānaṃ na bhūtaṃ na bhaviṣyati || 38 ||
Sa pagligo sa Gaṅgā ayon sa wastong itinakdang paraan, napapalaya ang tao mula sa lahat ng kasalanan. Higit sa pagligo sa Gaṅgā, wala pang naging pagligo—at wala ring magiging pagligo—na mas dakila rito.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It declares Gaṅgā-snāna, performed vidhivat (with proper observance), as a supreme purifier that frees a person from all pātakas, presenting the Gaṅgā as the highest tirtha for ritual purification.
While focused on tirtha practice, it supports bhakti by honoring the Gaṅgā as sacred and emphasizing reverent, rule-based worshipful conduct (vidhi) rather than casual bathing, aligning outer ritual with inner devotion.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied through the word vidhivat—purification is linked to performing the snāna according to prescribed rites and discipline.