Chapter 71 - Ganga’s attainment of Patala

[Full title: Ganga’s attainment of Patala through the door of the hole]

CHAPTER LXXI Sri Mahadeva said Then O the great sage joining with the ocean and coming to the whole she became very glad. (1) Descending to Patala she went to Kapila, knowing the arrival of Ganga inaccessible to gods even for favour of the people, Kapila worshipped Her with offerings. Being worshipped by him Ganga said to the sage. (2-3) O sage, please inform me quickly where the sons of Sagara were turned into aches. Then the sage showed the sons of Sagara. (4) Beholding this Gange, the best among the rivers and the mover of the three worlds also flooded the ashes of Sagara's is quickly with Her water. At once the son of the Sagara possessing the divine form and seated upon a divine chariot went to Brahmaloka. The lustrous king dazzling like the young sun and adorable by other kings be held the expiation of his ancestors, was delighted and danced and eulogised uttering the sound of 'Jaya' to Ganga and blew the great conch with horripilated body. Hearing that sound Ganga with a terrible speed brought the ashes from the door of that hole to the earth. One of Her pure streams that was present at Patala was famous as Blogavati by name, the bestower of godd deeds to the whole world. She gradually entered into the water of compassion where the whol e creation was floating. (5-11)

447 Bhagiratha worshipping and suluting Ganga, who joined with the ocean, returned to his abode gladly. (12) Thus the goddess Ganga who sheltered in the body of Visnu, came to the earth for the welfare of all beings. (13) He who reads or allows others to read the story of Ganga descending on the earth, attains liberation which is believed to be under his control. (14) His span of life increases along with his fame also. He attains pleasure and prosperity everywhere. (15) One who reads with devotion in the Pity sraddha before a priest, his ancestors attain supreme salvation. O magnanimous one even the sinful derives full satisfaction whether during the odd time or in odd place, the strong or even weak can bring the supreme satisfaction no doubt to his ancestors.(16-17) The people who read with devotion on the 'Ekadasi' day attain all fulfilment due to the favour of Gange. (18) He is enriched with prosperities, accompanied with sons and wife and attains prosperity due to the favour of the goddess. (19) O the great sage, he, who reads this pious episode at Kasi directly becomes the lord of the world, the bestower of salvation. Even the sinful is liberated from the terrible sin by visiting her one who reads the pious episode in 'Samkranti and Purnima' attains the result of horse-sacrifice. He, who

448 going to the bank of Ganga and taking bath properly reads or even listens it, his merit can never be compared with others. Due to the presence in written in a family, the members never meet with misfortune and enemies are pacified and enjoy the fruit of taking bath at Gange for whole life. (20-24) He is never afflicted with pain from planets, nor faces separation from friends. He does not suffer from any diseases or is never affraid of enemy. (25) O the great sage there is no such tirths like Ganga on That is why she is recognised as the most pious the earth. place. (26) Here ends the seventy first chapter called Ganga’s attainment of Patala through the door of the hole of Sri Mahabhagavata Upapurana.