Shloka 49

The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

विनयाचारसंपत्तिर्गंगाभक्तस्य जायते । कृतकृत्यो भवेन्मर्त्यो गंगां प्राप्यैव केवलम् ॥ ५० ॥

Transliteration

vinayācārasaṃpattirgaṃgābhaktasya jāyate | kṛtakṛtyo bhavenmartyo gaṃgāṃ prāpyaiva kevalam || 50 ||

Translation

گنگا کے بھکت میں عاجزی اور نیک چال چلن کی دولت خود بخود پیدا ہوتی ہے۔ صرف گنگا کو پا لینے سے ہی انسان کِرتکِرتْیَ (مقصدِ حیات پورا کرنے والا) بن جاتا ہے۔

Word by Word

• vinaya-ācāra-saṃpattiḥ: the wealth of humility and good conduct
• vinaya-ācāra-saṃpattiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vinaya (प्रातिपदिक) + ācāra (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃpatti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) singular (एकवचन)

• gaṅgā-bhaktasya: of a devotee of the Ganga
• gaṅgā-bhaktasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी) singular (एकवचन)

• jāyate: arises/is born
• jāyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jan (जन् धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• kṛta-kṛtyaḥ: fulfilled (having accomplished duties)
• kṛta-kṛtyaḥ: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानााधिकरण/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ/कृ धातु) + kṛtya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) singular (एकवचन); predicate adjective meaning 'one who has done what should be done'

• bhavet: would become
• bhavet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• martyaḥ: a mortal
• martyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: martya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) singular (एकवचन)

• gaṅgām: the Ganga
• gaṅgām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) singular (एकवचन)

• prāpya: having reached
• prāpya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √āp (आप् धातु) with pra-; ल्यप् (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: Absolutive/gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त), prior action 'having attained'

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात), indeclinable

• kevalam: only
• kevalam: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kevala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Used adverbially (क्रियाविशेषणवत्) meaning 'only/merely'

Speaker

Narada (as narrator/teacher in the Ganga Mahatmya section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Ganga

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It declares that devotion to the Gaṅgā is not merely external pilgrimage; it transforms character (humility and right conduct) and is presented as sufficient to make a human life ‘fulfilled’ through contact with a supreme tīrtha.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Bhakti here is shown by its fruits: inner refinement (vinaya) and disciplined living (ācāra). The verse frames devotion to the sacred river as a direct, grace-bearing means that completes one’s spiritual aim.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is dharma in the form of sadācāra—cultivating humility and proper conduct as the lived discipline accompanying tīrtha-bhakti.