The Agni Purana
by N. Gangadharan | 1954 | 360,691 words | ISBN-10: 8120803590 | ISBN-13: 9788120803596
This page describes The greatness of Ganga (mahatmya) which is chapter 110 of the English translation of the Agni Purana, one of the eighteen major puranas dealing with all topics concerning ancient Indian culture, tradition and sciences. Containing roughly 15,000 Sanskrit metrical verses, subjects contained in the Agni-Purana include cosmology, philosophy, architecture, iconography, economics, diplomacy, pilgrimage guides, ancient geography, gemology, ayurveda, etc.
Chapter 110 - The greatness of Gaṅgā (māhātmya)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Fire-god said:
1. I shall describe the greatness of (river) Gaṅgā [i.e., gaṅgāmāhātmya]. She should be worshipped. She yields enjoyment and liberation. The countries through which she flows are holy and excellent.
2. The (river) Ganges is the succour for the beings who resort to it always. The (river) Ganges duly worshipped, succours the two lines of ancestors.
3. The drinking of the waters of Ganges (confers the merits of performance of) thousands of Cāndrāyaṇa. One who worships the Ganges for a month gets the fruits of all sacrificial rites.
4. The goddess (Ganges) destroys all sins and confers (access to) heavens. One continues to stay in heavens as long as (his) bones remain in the (waters of the) Ganges.
5. Blind people and others attain equal status with the celestials by worshipping her. The carrying of the earth dug up from the beds of Ganges destroys one’s sins just as the Sun.
6. (The river) purifies hundreds and thousands of holy men who look at it, touch it, drink (its waters) and repeat (the word) Ganges.