Shloka 38
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
गङ्गास्नानेन विधिवन्मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः । गङ्गा स्नानात्परं स्नानं न भूतं न भविष्यति ॥ ३८ ॥
gaṅgāsnānena vidhivanmucyate sarvapātakaiḥ | gaṅgā snānātparaṃ snānaṃ na bhūtaṃ na bhaviṣyati || 38 ||
依正法仪轨沐浴恒河者，得解脱一切罪业。恒河沐浴之外，过去未有、未来亦无任何沐浴能超胜于此。
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It declares Gaṅgā-snāna, performed vidhivat (with proper observance), as a supreme purifier that frees a person from all pātakas, presenting the Gaṅgā as the highest tirtha for ritual purification.
While focused on tirtha practice, it supports bhakti by honoring the Gaṅgā as sacred and emphasizing reverent, rule-based worshipful conduct (vidhi) rather than casual bathing, aligning outer ritual with inner devotion.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied through the word vidhivat—purification is linked to performing the snāna according to prescribed rites and discipline.