The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
सौदास उवाच । कस्त्वं वद महाभाग त्वया वै किं कृतं पुरा । सख्युर्ममाति स्नेहेन तत्सर्वं वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ ७५ ॥
saudāsa uvāca | kastvaṃ vada mahābhāga tvayā vai kiṃ kṛtaṃ purā | sakhyurmamāti snehena tatsarvaṃ vaktumarhasi || 75 ||
Saudāsa nói: “Ôi bậc đại phúc, xin hãy nói cho ta biết—ngươi là ai, và thuở trước đã làm gì? Vì tình thâm đối với ta như một người bạn, ngươi nên kể lại tất cả điều ấy.”
Saudāsa
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
It models the Purāṇic method of transmission: sincere inquiry and humility open the way for teachings about past karma, identity, and dharma to be revealed in a trustworthy dialogue.
While not directly prescribing bhakti, it establishes the devotee-like attitude of earnest questioning and affectionate receptivity—qualities that later support listening (śravaṇa) and faithful acceptance of sacred instruction.
No specific Vedāṅga is taught in this verse; it functions as a narrative prompt (praśna) that typically precedes instruction, explanation of dharma, or karmic history in Purāṇic pedagogy.