SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM 9 CHAPTER 9 TEXT 14
na hy etat param āścaryaṁ
svardhunyā yad ihoditam
ananta-caraṇāmbhoja-
prasūtāyā bhava-cchidaḥ
TRANSLATION
Because mother Ganges emanates from the lotus toe of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Anantadeva, she is able to liberate one from material bondage. Therefore whatever is described herewith about her is not at all wonderful.
PURPORT
It has actually been seen that anyone who regularly worships mother Ganges simply by bathing in her water keeps very good health and gradually becomes a devotee of the Lord. This is the effect of bathing in the water of the Ganges. Bathing in the Ganges is recommended in all Vedic śāstras, and one who takes to this path will certainly be completely freed from all sinful reactions. The practical example of this is that the sons of Mahārāja Sagara went to the heavenly planets when water from the Ganges merely touched the ashes of their burnt bodies.