In India it is a very common thoughts that all the sin can be washed by taking a dip in holy river. That is river, Yamuna, Ganaga and other major river get so popular. People take a trip down to various pligrimiage to wash off their sin. Even on the way they commit something, which they were not suppose to do.
Our ancient scholars have a different say on this. They have a differrnt teaching through these Sanskrit lines.
अन्तर्गतमलो दुष्टस्तीर्थस्नानशतैरापि|
न शुध्यति यथा भाण्डं सुराया दाहितं च सत्||
Antargata-malo dushtasteerthasnaanashatairapi.
Na shudhyati yathaa bhaandam suraayaa daahitam cha sat,
my own art
Antargata = internal,hidden
Malo = impurity, filth.
Dushtah + teertha + snaan +shataih + api. Dushtah = a wicked person.
Teertha = a place for a pilgrimage Snaana = taking a bath.
Shataaih = one hundred times.
Api = even.
Na = not.
Shudhyati = becomes pure.
Yathaa = for instance.
Bhaandam = box, container.
Suraayaa = liquor
Daahitam = heated.
Cha = and.
Sat = virtuous, pure.
Th3 scholar wanted to co vey that 'Even if a wicked person bathes hundreds of times in the holy waters at a pilgrimage centre the evil thoughts in his mind can not be washed out (removed) from his mind just like a pot containing liquor can not become pure by heating it on fire.'
Using the simile of liquor for the evil thoughts of a wicked person, the author has propagated that it is not possible to remove the shortcomings. Washing with water or heating an impure object are the well known methods of removing the impurities from various objects. This is why it is always been advised to stay away from doing any sin, and belive in your karma.