Shloka 23
The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
ब्रह्महा गुरुडा गोघ्नः स्तेयी च गुरुतल्पगः । गंगांभसा च पूयंते नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥ २४ ॥
brahmahā guruḍā goghnaḥ steyī ca gurutalpagaḥ | gaṃgāṃbhasā ca pūyaṃte nātra kāryā vicāraṇā || 24 ||
برہمن کا قاتل، گرو کا قاتل، گائے کا قاتل، چور اور گرو کے بستر کی حرمت توڑنے والا—یہ سب بھی گنگا کے جل سے پاک ہو جاتے ہیں؛ اس میں کسی بحث کی حاجت نہیں۔
Suta (narrating Purāṇic discourse; within the Uttara-Bhāga Ganga-Māhātmya section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna (compassion)
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)
FAQs
It asserts the extraordinary purificatory power (pāvana-śakti) of Gaṅgā-jala, stating that even the gravest sins (mahāpātakas) are cleansed through contact with the Ganga’s sacred waters.
By emphasizing surrender to a divinely sanctified tīrtha (Gaṅgā) rather than despair over sin, the verse supports a bhakti-oriented attitude: trust in sacred grace and engage in purifying, God-centered practice such as tīrtha-sevā and snāna with reverence.
It mainly reflects Dharma-śāstra style prayāścitta logic (expiation through tīrtha), rather than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it points to ritual action (snāna/ācamanam with Gaṅgā-jala) as a recognized means of purification.