Shloka 3
The Greatness of Haridvāra
Gaṅgādvāra-māhātmya
वसुरुवाच । श्रृणु भद्रे प्रवक्ष्यामि माहात्म्यं पापनाशनम् । गंगाद्वारस्य ते पुण्यं श्रृण्वतां पठतां शुभम् ॥ ३ ॥
vasuruvāca | śrṛṇu bhadre pravakṣyāmi māhātmyaṃ pāpanāśanam | gaṃgādvārasya te puṇyaṃ śrṛṇvatāṃ paṭhatāṃ śubham || 3 ||
毗苏说道：“善祥的女士啊，且听我说。我将宣示那灭罪的圣德——恒河之门（Gaṅgādvāra）的功德；凡聆听者与诵读者，皆得吉祥。”
Vasu
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It introduces the Gaṅgādvāra Māhātmya, stating that the very narration of the tīrtha’s glory is pāpanāśana—capable of destroying sin—and that puṇya arises through both hearing (śravaṇa) and recitation (pāṭha).
By emphasizing attentive hearing and recitation, it aligns with bhakti’s core practices—śravaṇa and kīrtana—where devotion grows through listening to sacred narratives and repeating them with faith.
It highlights the disciplined use of sacred recitation (pāṭha), a practice supported by Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar) to preserve correct sound and meaning, thereby ensuring the intended spiritual merit.