Shloka 19
The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
कृते तु सर्वतीर्थानि त्रेतायां पुष्करं परम् । द्वापरे तु कुरुक्षेत्रं कलौ गंगा विशिष्यते ॥ २० ॥
kṛte tu sarvatīrthāni tretāyāṃ puṣkaraṃ param | dvāpare tu kurukṣetraṃ kalau gaṃgā viśiṣyate || 20 ||
在克利多纪，一切圣渡处（tīrtha）皆为最胜；在特雷塔纪，普什卡拉最为尊上；在德瓦帕拉纪，俱卢之野（库鲁克舍特拉）最为尊上；而在迦利纪，恒河尤为殊胜卓绝。
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It ranks the most efficacious tīrtha-focus by Yuga, teaching that in Kali Yuga the Gaṅgā is uniquely accessible and spiritually potent for purification and dharma through simple acts like reverent bathing and remembrance.
By highlighting Gaṅgā’s special status in Kali Yuga, it supports Kali-era bhakti practice: approachable sacred means (snāna, japa, smaraṇa) performed with faith, humility, and devotion rather than relying on difficult, elaborate disciplines.
It implies Kāla (time/yuga) discernment important for ritual application—choosing appropriate tīrtha and practice by era; this aligns with Vedāṅga concerns such as Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Jyotiṣa (time-awareness) for dharmic observance.