Chapter 37 - The birth of Ganga

Menaka, the daughter of Sumeru and the wife of Himalaya, gave birth to a daughter whose name was Ganga. Himalaya was very happy, and celebrated the birth with great pomp. The child was very beautiful, and began to grow so quickly that she learnt to speak when she was four months old.

Some time after, Narada went one day to the land of the gods and told them that Ganga was half of Sati whose other half would become incarnate hereafter, and be born as Ganga’s sister in the form of Uma,

The gods were highly pleased to hear the news and suggested that they should go in a body and communicate it to Siva.

Narada protested saying,

“When Siva was dancing with the corpse of Sati on his head, he was feeling extremely happy, but you all cut short his happiness. He is not, therefore, well disposed to wards you. Let us try to appease him by bringing Himalaya’s daughter and making her over to him. We should first fetch her here and then go to Siva and tell him that we have found his Sati”.

The gods said that the proposal was a good one, but that they were afraid Himalaya would not send Ganga to them, and Ganga would not consent to leave her parents who doted upon her.

Narada answered that Himalaya was very magnanimous, and would not hesitate to bestow on the gods whatever they wanted, and that Ganga could be induced by suitable prayers to accompany them to their place.

Narada’s proposal was, after some deliberation, approved of by the gods, and Brahma, Indra, Kuvera, Varuna and Yama started for Himalaya’s kingdom.

Meanwhile, Ganga appeared before Himalaya in a dream, and showed him her true form. She had four arms and three eyes, and her complexion was white. She was seated on a Makara^[1] (shark), and was adorned with many ornaments. Her beauty was incomparable, and a fascinating smile played on her lips. Her lustre was dazzling, and all the gods were kneeling down before her.

Addressing Himalaya she said,

“Mighty father, I am your beloved daughter. You must have heard of the great sacrifice performed by Daksha in days gone by, and of the death of his daughter, Sati, in that sacrifice. I am half of that Sati, and you will beget the other half also in due time as Uma. The gods are coming to ask your permission to take me away with them. I request you to accede to their request, because I wish to go to my lord, Siva, in heaven. When the other daughter is born to you, invite Siva and give her also to him. Do not be sorry for me when I am gone”.

When Himalaya awoke from sleep he realized the true nature of his daughter, and his love for her developed into great reverence.

In due time he saw the five gods coming to meet him. He received them with great respect and after giving them seats asked, who they were and what they wanted. Brahma told him who they were and also the object of their visit. Himalaya, in spite of the dream, was loth to part with his beloved child, and raised objections to the proposal made by the gods, but Ganga came to the place and pleaded their cause. Her father, at last, said that he would not part with her voluntarily, but that if she wanted to go with them he would not forcibly detain her.

The gods then prayed long and earnestly to Ganga and requested her to enter into Brahma’s Kamandalu^[2] which she did with great pleasure. She was thus taken to the land of the gods who deyoted themselves to her service and derived much comfort from it.

Ganga’s mother, Menaka, knew nothing about this, and was, therefore, much distressed when she could not find her daughter.

When her husband told her everything, she was greatly annoyed at the want of affection shown by Ganga and exclaimed,

“Daughter, thou shalt be punished for this, and shall be fated to come down to earth Again in the shape of a river. W[e]? shall have another daughter in due time who will be our consolation.”

Sometime after, Narada paid a visit one day to Siva at the place where the latter was sitting doing penance, and addressing him, said,

“My Lord, I am happy to tell you that we have regained your Sati at last. Come with me if you wish to see her.”

Siva was overwhelmed with joy at this news, and went away at once with Narada to godland.

Brahma, hearing that Siva had come, convened a full assembly of the gods who were glad to avail themselves of the opportunity of seeing the re-union of Siva and Parvati.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Makara is a fabulous shark-like animal. It carries he goddess Ganga on its back.

[2]:

A water-pot, earthen or wooden, used by ascetics, and always carried by them in their hands.