Chapter 44 - History of Ganga (continued, 8)

Jaimini asked how it was that Bhagiratha. succeeded in bringing Ganga down to the earth, and what sorts of austerities were performed by him. Sukadeva, in answer, narrated as follows:—

One day, Bhagiratha who was in a despondent mood at the time, approached his family preceptor, Vasishtha, and said,

“How is it, O great Rishi, that my ancestors who were very pious, failed in their attempt to bring Ganga down to the earth, and how can I hope to succeed after their failure? I beseech you to instruct me in the matter.”

Vasishtha said,

“It is not an easy task to propitiate the goddess Ganga, and induce her to come down to the earth; but be not dishear[t?]ened. Your predecessors have performed severe austerities, one after another, and, if you follow in their footsteps, the accumulated result of the labour of four generations is sure to accomplish the task. You have been born to bring the work begun by your ancestors to a successful termination. Go, therefore, and perform your austerities, and do not cease to do so until the goddess appears before you. Picture her in your mind’s eye as a sublimely beautiful goddess with three eyes and a white complexion. Imagine that she has four hands one of which is always extended for the purpose of granting boons to the supplicant, and another to give him an assurance of her protection. In her third hand she holds a lotus flower and in the fourth a jar of nectar. Her divine form is seated on a white Makara^[1], adorned with many ornaments, and clad in cloth shining like burnished gold. A sweet smile plays on her lips, and all the ten quarters of the world are brightened by the lustre of her complexion.”

Bhagiratha, after receiving instructions from Vasishtha, projected to perform the necessary austerities For twelve divine^[2] years he did not eat anything, and stood on one leg gazing upwards, without resting his body against any support.

The gods could not make out the object of his austerities and became nervous as to their own safety, presuming that he was going to subjugate them. They went in a body to Siva and represented their fears to him, but were reassured by him and went away quite pleased.

Siva then invoked the goddess, Ganga, and she appeared before him and saluted him.

He said,

“Devi, Bhagiratha has been performing severe penance for your sake, but how is it that you do not show mercy to him? Mercy is a great Dharma but you seem to be devoid of it. Raja Sagara, Amsumana and Dilipa invoked you, one after another, for long ages, and, in my opinion every one of them deserved your favour, but you did not accept their prayers. However, let bygones be bygones, and let us now turn our attention to Bhagiratha who is sacrificing his life for your sake. Take pity on him, and, showing yourself to him, grant his prayer.”

Ganga, on hearing this, hung down her head quite overwhelmed with grief. In pitiful accents she said,

“O my Lord, what cruel words are these? Why do you desire to forsake me, your wife? Where shall I go and live without you? What a world of penance I had to perform before I succeeded in becoming your wife, and, now, am I going to be deserted by you? I am sure I have committed some fault to deserve this punishment, otherwise, why would you wish me to grant Sagara’s prayer and go to Patala, away from you? Devise some other means, my lord, for the deliverance of Sagara’s ancestors, and save me from this misery. Moreover, by going down to the earth, I shall be defiled in the Kali Yuga^[3] by men whose conduct then would be little better than brutish. Do you think it would be befitting my dignity as your wife to be so defiled? Remember my lord the day when you placed my body on your head. Are you now going to punish me for that act? Remember also, my lord, that I have lived in Brahma’s water-jar and have been adored by the gods. I gave up my former body and took up a new one, as the daughter of Himalaya, in order to be re-united with you; and I am now living in Vaikuntha with you. But I do not care for Vaikuntha even if I have to live here without you: I cannot bear the idea of being separated from you.”

Mahadeva said,

“My dear wife, I know you are wholly devoted to me, and I have not the slightest intention of parting with you. When you go down to the earth in the form of a river, I shall hold you on my head. When Bhagiratha asks you to go with him to the earth and Patala, tell him that you will do so if I agree to hold you on my head. Point out to him that the earth would not be able to bear the shock of your fall from heaven. Then Bhagiratha will request me to help him, and I shall do so. As to your objection about Kali Yuga, I assure you it is groundless. Its sins, instead of defiling you, shall be destroyed immediately on coming in contact with you. Even the greatest sinner shall be redeemed by simply praying to you. Remember also the curse^[4] of your mother, Menaka, and you will admit that your going down to the earth in the shape of a river is inevitable. Go then, my beloved, and be the salvation of men. You will meet the gods wherever you flow. Those who die^[5] in your water will be at once absorbed in me.”

With these words the goddess, Ganga, was quite reassured and with an easy heart, she went to meet Bhagiratha.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A sea animal like a crocodile or shark. The goddess Ganga is always represented as sitting on its back.

[2]:

See page [?] Chapter LIV. One divine year is equal to 360 human years.

[3]:

See page......Chapter LXIII.

[4]:

See page 127.

[5]:

This is why in some parts of the country people, at the time of death, are taken to the banks of the Ganges and when they are about to die, the lower half of their body is submerged in the river, and they are allowed to give up the ghost in that position.