Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 113

Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

एवंप्रभावा सा गङ्गा विष्णुपादाग्रसम्भवा । सर्वलोकेषु विख्याता महापातकनाशिनी ॥ ११४ ॥

Transliteration

evaṃprabhāvā sā gaṅgā viṣṇupādāgrasambhavā | sarvalokeṣu vikhyātā mahāpātakanāśinī || 114 ||

Translation

此即恒河之威德——源自毗湿奴（Viṣṇu）圣足之前分——名闻诸界，被称为能灭除乃至最重罪业者。

Word by Word

• evam-prabhāvā: of such power
• evam-prabhāvā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: evam (अव्यय) + prabhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास: 'of such power/effect'; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (qualifies gaṅgā)

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'she/that'

• gaṅgā: Ganga
• gaṅgā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• viṣṇu-pāda-agra-sambhavā: born from Vishnu’s foot-tip
• viṣṇu-pāda-agra-sambhavā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + pāda (प्रातिपदिक) + agra (प्रातिपदिक) + sambhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (श्रृङ्खला): 'originating from the tip/front (agra) of Vishnu’s foot'; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• sarva-lokeṣu: in all worlds
• sarva-lokeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास: 'in all worlds'; पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन

• vikhyātā: renowned
• vikhyātā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (predicate adjective/विधेयविशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikhyāta (कृदन्त; vi-√khyā/ख्या)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'well-known'

• mahā-pātaka-nāśinī: destroyer of great sins
• mahā-pātaka-nāśinī: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (predicate adjective/विधेयविशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + pātaka (प्रातिपदिक) + nāśinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास: 'destroyer of great sins'; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purana; verse praising Gaṅgā within the discourse attributed to Narada’s tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Characters & Entities

• Ganga
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It declares Gaṅgā as a divinely sourced tīrtha (from Viṣṇu’s foot) whose sanctity is so great that contact with her—especially through reverent bathing and remembrance—destroys even mahāpātakas (the gravest sins).

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

By linking Gaṅgā directly to Viṣṇu, the verse frames tīrtha-sevā (honoring sacred places) as Viṣṇu-centered devotion—purification comes not merely from water, but from reverence to the Lord’s presence and grace embodied in Gaṅgā.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; it primarily supports dharma-śāstric practice around tīrthas—especially the ritual principle that tīrtha-snānā and sacred remembrance are prescribed means for pāpa-kṣaya (removal of sin).