The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
यदग्निहोत्रिणां पुण्यं तत्तु गंगानिवासतः । समातृपितृदाराणां कुलकोटिमनंतकम् ॥ ४८ ॥
yadagnihotriṇāṃ puṇyaṃ tattu gaṃgānivāsataḥ | samātṛpitṛdārāṇāṃ kulakoṭimanaṃtakam || 48 ||
اگنی ہوترا کرنے والوں کا جو پُنّیہ ہے، وہی گنگا کے کنارے رہنے سے حاصل ہوتا ہے؛ ماں، باپ اور بیوی سمیت خاندان کی بے شمار کروڑوں نسلوں تک اس کا اَکھَی (ناقابلِ زوال) پھل پہنچتا ہے۔
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
It elevates Gaṅgā-residence as a powerful tirtha-sādhanā, stating that the sanctity of living by the Gaṅgā can bestow merit comparable to Agnihotra and benefit one’s lineage extensively.
By praising Gaṅgā-nivāsa, it points to devotional sacred geography (tirtha-sevā) as an accessible practice—staying near the holy river with reverence becomes a bhakti-supporting way of life that yields spiritual fruit.
Ritual knowledge is implied through Agnihotra (Śrauta/Smārta practice): the verse uses Agnihotra as a benchmark of Vedic ritual merit to communicate the exceptional efficacy of tirtha-mahātmyas.