Bala Kanda · Sarga 43 of 77 · 41 verses
The Descent of the Ganga
Bhagiratha stands on the tip of his big toe for a year, worshipping Shiva. Pleased, Shiva agrees to receive the Ganga on his head. The Ganga falls from the sky in an immense, unbearable torrent, proudly thinking she will sweep Shiva down into the underworld. Knowing her pride, Shiva decides to make her vanish: she falls into the cavern of his matted hair, vast as the Himalaya, and wanders there for many years, unable to find a way out.
Bhagiratha does austerity again, and Shiva, pleased, releases her toward the Bindu lake. She divides into seven streams: Hladini, Pavani and Nalini flow east; Suchakshu, Sita and the great Sindhu flow west; and the seventh follows Bhagiratha’s chariot. The sky fills with gods watching in their celestial cars; fish, turtles and dolphins leap and flash like lightning; the water rushes, twists, rises and falls. Sages and those fallen from heaven by curses bathe in it and are purified. As she flows after the king, she floods the sacrificial ground of the sage Jahnu, who angrily drinks her up; the gods plead, and he releases her from his ears, so she is called Jahnavi, Jahnu’s daughter. At last she reaches the ocean and Rasatala, and her water floods the ashes of the sixty thousand, who, purified, rise to heaven.
Press › to begin with verse 1.
देवदेवे गते तस्मिन् सोऽङ्गुष्ठाग्रनिपीडिताम् । कृत्वा वसुमतीं राम वत्सरं समुपासत ॥ १ ॥
When that god of gods had gone, Rama, Bhagiratha pressed the earth with the tip of his big toe and worshipped for a year.
राम, जब देवों के वे देव चले गए, तब भगीरथ ने पैर के अँगूठे के सिरे से धरती दबाकर एक वर्ष तक उपासना की।
Commentary on the whole sarga
The Descent of the Ganga 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Bhagiratha stands on the tip of one big toe for a whole year to win Shiva’s favour. After thousands of years of austerity for Brahma, he begins again for Shiva without complaint. This is what bhagiratha prayatna means.
Scene 1 of 3 · The heavenly Ganga crashes down from the sky onto Shiva’s head and is lost in his vast matted hair.
अथ संवत्सरे पूर्णे सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः । उमापतिः पशुपती राजानमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ २ ॥
When the year was full, Uma’s lord, the lord of beings, honoured by all the worlds, said to the king:
जब वर्ष पूरा हुआ, तब सब लोकों से पूजित, उमा के स्वामी, प्राणियों के स्वामी (शिव) ने राजा से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Shiva, “Uma’s lord”, speaks at the end of the year. The great ascetic god recognises a fellow ascetic.
Scene 1 of 3 · The heavenly Ganga crashes down from the sky onto Shiva’s head and is lost in his vast matted hair.
प्रीतस्तेऽहं नरश्रेष्ठ करिष्यामि तव प्रियम् । शिरसा धारयिष्यामि शैलराजसुतामहम् ॥ ३ ॥
“I am pleased with you, best of men; I will do what you wish. I will hold the daughter of the king of mountains on my head.”
“नरश्रेष्ठ, मैं तुमसे प्रसन्न हूँ; मैं तुम्हारी इच्छा पूरी करूँगा। मैं पर्वतराज की पुत्री को अपने सिर पर धारण करूँगा।”
CommentaryNot scripture “I will hold the daughter of the king of mountains on my head.” Shiva agrees to receive the falling river. This image, Shiva with the Ganga in his hair, is one of the most loved in Hindu art. He is called Gangadhara, “bearer of the Ganga”.
Scene 1 of 3 · The heavenly Ganga crashes down from the sky onto Shiva’s head and is lost in his vast matted hair.
ततो हैमवती ज्येष्ठा सर्वलोकनमस्कृता । तदा सातिमहद्रूपं कृत्वा वेगं च दुःसहम् ॥ ४ ॥
आकाशादपतद् राम शिवे शिवशिरस्युत । अचिन्तयच्च सा देवी गङ्गा परमदुर्धरा ॥ ५ ॥
Then the elder daughter of Himavan, honoured by all the worlds, taking an immense form and an unbearable force, fell from the sky, Rama, onto Shiva’s auspicious head. And the goddess Ganga, so hard to hold, thought:
तब सब लोकों से पूजित हिमवान की बड़ी पुत्री विशाल रूप और असहनीय वेग धारण करके, राम, आकाश से शिव के मंगलमय सिर पर गिरी। और जिसे धारण करना इतना कठिन था, उस देवी गंगा ने सोचा:
CommentaryNot scripture The Ganga falls from the sky with an immense form and unbearable force. Then she has a proud thought.
Scene 1 of 3 · The heavenly Ganga crashes down from the sky onto Shiva’s head and is lost in his vast matted hair.
विशाम्यहं हि पातालं स्रोतसा गृह्य शङ्करम् । तस्यावलेपनं ज्ञात्वा क्रुद्धस्तु भगवान् हरः ॥ ६ ॥
तिरोभावयितुं बुद्धिं चक्रे त्रिनयनस्तदा । सा तस्मिन् पतिता पुण्या पुण्ये रुद्रस्य मूर्धनि ॥ ७ ॥
“I will carry Shankara with my stream and enter the underworld.” Knowing her pride, the blessed Hara, three-eyed, grew angry and decided to make her disappear. That holy river fell on the holy head of Rudra,
“मैं अपनी धारा से शंकर को बहा ले जाऊँगी और पाताल में प्रवेश करूँगी।” उसके घमंड को जानकर तीन नेत्रों वाले भगवान हर क्रोधित हुए और उसे अदृश्य करने का निश्चय किया। वह पवित्र नदी रुद्र के पवित्र सिर पर,
CommentaryNot scripture “I will carry Shankara with my stream into the underworld.” The river thinks she can sweep away the god. Shiva sees her pride and decides to make her vanish. Even the holiest river must learn humility.
Scene 1 of 3 · The heavenly Ganga crashes down from the sky onto Shiva’s head and is lost in his vast matted hair.
हिमवत्प्रतिमे राम जटामण्डलगह्वरे । सा कथंचिन्महीं गन्तुं नाशक्नोद् यत्नमास्थिता ॥ ८ ॥
into the cavern of his circle of matted hair, like the Himalaya, Rama. Though she strove, she could in no way reach the earth.
उनकी जटाओं के मंडल की गुफा में गिरी, जो हिमालय जैसा था, राम। प्रयत्न करने पर भी वह किसी तरह पृथ्वी तक नहीं पहुँच सकी।
CommentaryNot scripture She falls into the “cavern” of his matted locks, vast as the Himalaya. Though she struggles, she cannot reach the earth. Shiva’s hair holds the whole river.
Scene 1 of 3 · The heavenly Ganga crashes down from the sky onto Shiva’s head and is lost in his vast matted hair.
नैव सा निर्गमं लेभे जटामण्डलमन्ततः । तत्रैवाबभ्रमद् देवी संवत्सरगणान् बहून् ॥ ९ ॥
She found no way out of the circle of his matted hair; the goddess wandered there for many years.
उसे जटाओं के मंडल से निकलने का कोई मार्ग नहीं मिला; देवी अनेक वर्षों तक वहीं घूमती रही।
CommentaryNot scripture She wanders lost in his matted hair for years. The proud river is humbled, tamed into gentleness.
Scene 1 of 3 · The heavenly Ganga crashes down from the sky onto Shiva’s head and is lost in his vast matted hair.
तामपश्यत् पुनस्तत्र तपः परममास्थितः । स तेन तोषितश्चासीदत्यन्तं रघुनन्दन ॥ १० ॥
Bhagiratha, seeing her there, again undertook supreme austerity, and Shiva was greatly pleased with him, delight of the Raghus.
उसे वहाँ देखकर भगीरथ ने फिर परम तप किया, और रघुनंदन, शिव उनसे अत्यंत प्रसन्न हुए।
CommentaryNot scripture Bhagiratha again practises austerity. Again. His persistence never ends. Shiva is pleased.
Scene 1 of 3 · The heavenly Ganga crashes down from the sky onto Shiva’s head and is lost in his vast matted hair.
विससर्ज ततो गङ्गां हरो बिन्दुसरः प्रति । तस्यां विसृज्यमानायां सप्त स्रोतांसि जज्ञिरे ॥ ११ ॥
Then Hara released the Ganga toward the Bindu lake, and as she was released, seven streams were born.
तब हर ने गंगा को बिंदु सरोवर की ओर छोड़ा, और छूटते ही सात धाराएँ उत्पन्न हुईं।
CommentaryNot scripture Shiva releases her toward Lake Bindu, and she divides into seven streams. One river becomes many.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
ह्लादिनी पावनी चैव नलिनी च तथैव च । तिस्रः प्राचीं दिशं जग्मुर्गङ्गाः शिवजलाः शुभाः ॥ १२ ॥
Hladini, Pavani and Nalini: these three auspicious Gangas, with Shiva’s water, went to the east.
ह्लादिनी, पावनी और नलिनी: ये तीन शुभ गंगाएँ शिव के जल के साथ पूर्व की ओर गईं।
CommentaryNot scripture Three streams flow east: Hladini (“gladdening”), Pavani (“purifying”), Nalini (“lotus-filled”). The names describe what the water does.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
सुचक्षुश्चैव सीता च सिन्धुश्चैव महानदी । तिस्रश्चैता दिशं जग्मुः प्रतीचीं तु दिशं शुभाः ॥ १३ ॥
Suchakshu, Sita and the great river Sindhu: these three auspicious ones went to the west.
सुचक्षु, सीता और महानदी सिंधु: ये तीन शुभ धाराएँ पश्चिम की ओर गईं।
CommentaryNot scripture Three flow west: Suchakshu, Sita, and the great Sindhu (the Indus). The sacred geography of all of India comes from this one descent.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
सप्तमी चान्वगात् तासां भगीरथरथं तदा । भगीरथोऽपि राजर्षिर्दिव्यं स्यंदनमास्थितः ॥ १४ ॥
प्रायादग्रे महातेजा गङ्गा तं चाप्यनुव्रजत् । गगनाच्छङ्करशिरस्ततो धरणिमागता ॥ १५ ॥
The seventh of them followed Bhagiratha’s chariot. The royal sage Bhagiratha, the radiant one, mounted a divine chariot and went ahead, and the Ganga followed him. From the sky to Shankara’s head, and from there she came to the earth.
उनमें सातवीं भगीरथ के रथ के पीछे चली। तेजस्वी राजर्षि भगीरथ दिव्य रथ पर चढ़कर आगे चले, और गंगा उनके पीछे चली। आकाश से शंकर के सिर पर, और वहाँ से वह पृथ्वी पर आई।
CommentaryNot scripture The seventh stream follows Bhagiratha’s chariot. The king rides ahead, and the river follows him like a devoted companion. From the sky to Shiva’s head, and from there to earth.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
असर्पत जलं तत्र तीव्रशब्दपुरस्कृतम् । मत्स्यकच्छपसङ्घैश्च शिंशुमारगणैस्तथा ॥ १६ ॥
पतद्भिः पतितैश्चैव व्यरोचत वसुंधरा । ततो देवर्षिगन्धर्वा यक्षसिद्धगणास्तथा ॥ १७ ॥
There the water flowed on, preceded by a sharp roar. With shoals of fish and turtles and schools of dolphins, falling and fallen, the earth shone. Then divine sages, gandharvas and the hosts of yakshas and siddhas
वहाँ तीखी गर्जना के साथ जल आगे बहा। गिरती और गिर चुकी मछलियों और कछुओं के झुंडों और सूँसों (डॉल्फ़िनों) के समूहों से पृथ्वी शोभा पाने लगी। तब देवर्षि, गंधर्व और यक्षों तथा सिद्धों के समूह
CommentaryNot scripture Fish, turtles and dolphins tumble with the falling water. (The Ganga river dolphin is real, and now India’s national aquatic animal.) Sages, gandharvas and yakshas gather to watch.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
व्यलोकयन्त ते तत्र गगनाद् गां गतां तदा । विमानैर्नगराकारैर्हयैर्गजवरैस्तदा ॥ १८ ॥
पारिप्लवगताश्चापि देवतास्तत्र विष्ठिताः । तदद्भुतमिमं लोके गङ्गावतरमुत्तमम् ॥ १९ ॥
watched there the river that had come from the sky to the earth, and the gods stood there in celestial cars like cities, on horses and on the best of elephants, and in floating vehicles. Wishing to see that wonderful, supreme descent of the Ganga into the world,
वहाँ आकाश से पृथ्वी पर आई नदी को देखने लगे, और देवता वहाँ नगरों जैसे दिव्य विमानों में, घोड़ों पर, श्रेष्ठ हाथियों पर और उड़ते वाहनों में खड़े रहे। संसार में गंगा के उस अद्भुत, परम अवतरण को देखने की इच्छा से
CommentaryNot scripture Gods in celestial cars like cities, on horses and elephants, come to see the descent. All of heaven turns out to watch the river come to earth.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
दिदृक्षवो देवगणाः समीयुरमितौजसः । सम्पतद्भिः सुरगणैस्तेषां चाभरणौजसा ॥ २० ॥
शतादित्यमिवाभाति गगनं गततोयदम् । शिंशुमारोरगगणैर्मीनैरपि च चञ्चलैः ॥ २१ ॥
the hosts of gods of boundless power gathered. With the hosts of gods arriving and the radiance of their ornaments, the cloudless sky shone as if with a hundred suns. With schools of dolphins and serpents and darting fish
अपार शक्ति वाले देवताओं के समूह इकट्ठे हुए। आते हुए देवताओं के समूहों और उनके आभूषणों की चमक से बादलरहित आकाश मानो सौ सूर्यों से चमक उठा। सूँसों, सर्पों और उछलती मछलियों से
CommentaryNot scripture The sky shines “as with a hundred suns” from the gods’ jewels. Valmiki is painting one of his grandest scenes.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
विद्युद्भिरिव विक्षिप्तैराकाशमभवत् तदा । पाण्डुरैः सलिलोत्पीडैः कीर्यमाणैः सहस्रधा ॥ २२ ॥
शारदाभ्रैरिवाकीर्णं गगनं हंससम्प्लवैः । क्वचिद् द्रुततरं याति कुटिलं क्वचिदायतम् ॥ २३ ॥
the sky seemed scattered with lightning. With pale jets of water flung in a thousand ways, the sky looked strewn with autumn clouds and flocks of swans. Sometimes it ran swiftly, sometimes winding, sometimes stretched out,
आकाश मानो बिजलियों से भरा लगता था। हज़ारों तरह से उछलती पानी की सफ़ेद फुहारों से आकाश शरद के बादलों और हंसों के झुंडों से भरा लगता था। कभी वह तेज़ बहती, कभी टेढ़ी-मेढ़ी, कभी फैली हुई,
CommentaryNot scripture Leaping fish and dolphins look like lightning; white spray looks like autumn clouds and flocks of swans. Every image is of light and movement.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
विनतं क्वचिदुद्भूतं क्वचिद् याति शनैः शनैः । सलिलेनैव सलिलं क्वचिदभ्याहतं पुनः ॥ २४ ॥
मुहुरूर्ध्वपथं गत्वा पपात वसुधां पुनः । तच्छङ्करशिरोभ्रष्टं भ्रष्टं भूमितले पुनः ॥ २५ ॥
sometimes bending low, sometimes swelling up, sometimes moving slowly; sometimes water struck against water again, and again and again it rose upward and fell back to the earth. That water, fallen from Shankara’s head and fallen again to the ground,
कभी नीचे झुकती, कभी ऊपर उमड़ती, कभी धीरे बहती; कभी जल जल से फिर टकराता, और बार-बार ऊपर उठकर पृथ्वी पर वापस गिरता। शंकर के सिर से गिरा और फिर धरती पर गिरा वह जल
CommentaryNot scripture Sometimes fast, sometimes winding, sometimes slow; water striking water, rising and falling. Valmiki describes the many moods of a great river like a musician playing variations. Few passages in Sanskrit poetry are as joyful.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
व्यरोचत तदा तोयं निर्मलं गतकल्मषम् । तत्रर्षिगणगन्धर्वा वसुधातलवासिनः ॥ २६ ॥
भवाङ्गपतितं तोयं पवित्रमिति पस्पृशुः । शापात् प्रपतिता ये च गगनाद् वसुधातलम् ॥ २७ ॥
shone pure, free of stain. There the hosts of sages and gandharvas who lived on the earth touched the water fallen from Bhava’s body, thinking “This is holy.” And those who had fallen from the sky to the earth through curses
निर्मल, दोषरहित चमक रहा था। वहाँ पृथ्वी पर रहने वाले ऋषियों और गंधर्वों के समूहों ने भव (शिव) के शरीर से गिरे जल को “यह पवित्र है” मानकर छुआ। और जो शापों के कारण आकाश से पृथ्वी पर गिरे थे,
CommentaryNot scripture The water is pure, stainless. Sages touch it, knowing it is holy because it fell from Shiva’s body. Beings who fell to earth through curses bathe in it.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
कृत्वा तत्राभिषेकं ते बभूवुर्गतकल्मषाः । धूतपापाः पुनस्तेन तोयेनाथ शुभान्विताः ॥ २८ ॥
पुनराकाशमाविश्य स्वाँल्लोकान् प्रतिपेदिरे । मुमुदे मुदितो लोकस्तेन तोयेन भास्वता ॥ २९ ॥
bathed there and became free of stain; their sins shaken off by that water, joined with good fortune, they entered the sky again and reached their own worlds. The world rejoiced, gladdened by that shining water.
उन्होंने वहाँ स्नान किया और निर्मल हो गए; उस जल से पाप धुल जाने पर, सौभाग्य से युक्त होकर वे फिर आकाश में गए और अपने-अपने लोकों को पहुँचे। उस चमकते जल से प्रसन्न होकर संसार आनंदित हुआ।
CommentaryNot scripture Freed of their sins, they rise again to their own worlds. The Ganga’s purifying power is the reason for countless pilgrimages to her banks, to this day. The whole world rejoices.
Scene 2 of 3 · Released, the Ganga pours down to earth behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, with dolphins leaping and the gods watching from the sky.
कृताभिषेको गङ्गायां बभूव गतकल्मषः । भगीरथो हि राजर्षिर्दिव्यं स्यन्दनमास्थितः ॥ ३० ॥
प्रायादग्रे महाराजस्तं गङ्गा पृष्ठतोऽन्वगात् । देवाः सर्षिगणाः सर्वे दैत्यदानवराक्षसाः ॥ ३१ ॥
Having bathed in the Ganga, it became free of stain. The royal sage Bhagiratha, mounted on his divine chariot, the great king went in front, and the Ganga followed behind him. All the gods with the hosts of sages, daityas, danavas, rakshasas,
गंगा में स्नान करके वह निर्मल हो गया। दिव्य रथ पर चढ़े राजर्षि भगीरथ, वे महाराज, आगे चले, और गंगा उनके पीछे चली। ऋषियों के समूहों सहित सब देवता, दैत्य, दानव, राक्षस,
CommentaryNot scripture Bhagiratha rides ahead and the Ganga follows. Gods, demons, sages and serpents all follow too. A procession of the whole universe behind one patient king.
Scene 3 of 3 · The Ganga reaches the ocean and the underworld, and the ashes of Sagara’s sixty thousand sons rise to heaven.
गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवराः सकिन्नरमहोरगाः । सर्वाश्चाप्सरसो राम भगीरथरथानुगाः ॥ ३२ ॥
गङ्गामन्वगमन् प्रीताः सर्वे जलचराश्च ये । यतो भगीरथो राजा ततो गङ्गा यशस्विनी ॥ ३३ ॥
जगाम सरितां श्रेष्ठा सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी । ततो हि यजमानस्य जह्नोरद्भुतकर्मणः ॥ ३४ ॥
the best of gandharvas and yakshas, with kinnaras and great serpents, and all the apsarases, Rama, followed Bhagiratha’s chariot; joyfully they followed the Ganga, and so did all the creatures of the water. Wherever King Bhagiratha went, there the glorious Ganga, best of rivers, destroyer of all sins, went. Then, of the sacrificer Jahnu, of wonderful deeds,
श्रेष्ठ गंधर्व और यक्ष, किन्नरों और बड़े नागों सहित, और सब अप्सराएँ, राम, भगीरथ के रथ के पीछे चले; आनंद से वे गंगा के पीछे चले, और जल के सब प्राणी भी। जहाँ-जहाँ राजा भगीरथ गए, वहाँ-वहाँ नदियों में श्रेष्ठ, सब पापों का नाश करने वाली यशस्विनी गंगा गई। फिर अद्भुत कर्मों वाले यज्ञकर्ता जह्नु की
CommentaryNot scripture Wherever Bhagiratha goes, the Ganga goes. This is why one of her names is Bhagirathi , “daughter of Bhagiratha”. Then the river floods the sacrificial ground of the sage Jahnu.
Scene 3 of 3 · The Ganga reaches the ocean and the underworld, and the ashes of Sagara’s sixty thousand sons rise to heaven.
गङ्गा सम्प्लावयामास यज्ञवाटं महात्मनः । तस्यावलेपनं ज्ञात्वा क्रुद्धो जह्नुश्च राघव ॥ ३५ ॥
अपिबत् तु जलं सर्वं गङ्गायाः परमाद्भुतम् । ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वा ऋषयश्च सुविस्मिताः ॥ ३६ ॥
the Ganga flooded the sacrificial ground, that great-souled one’s. Knowing her pride, Jahnu grew angry, Raghava, and drank up all the water of the Ganga, a supreme wonder. Then the gods with the gandharvas and the sages, greatly amazed,
यज्ञभूमि को गंगा ने बहा दिया, उन महात्मा की। राघव, उसके घमंड को जानकर जह्नु क्रोधित हुए और उन्होंने गंगा का सारा जल पी लिया, एक परम आश्चर्य। तब गंधर्वों और ऋषियों सहित देवता अत्यंत विस्मित होकर
CommentaryNot scripture Jahnu, angry at her pride, drinks the entire Ganga. A sage swallowing a river: the power of austerity at its most astonishing. The gods and sages are amazed.
Scene 3 of 3 · The Ganga reaches the ocean and the underworld, and the ashes of Sagara’s sixty thousand sons rise to heaven.
पूजयन्ति महात्मानं जह्नुं पुरुषसत्तमम् । गङ्गां चापि नयन्ति स्म दुहितृत्वे महात्मनः ॥ ३७ ॥
ततस्तुष्टो महातेजाः श्रोत्राभ्यामसृजत् प्रभुः । तस्माज्जह्नुसुता गङ्गा प्रोच्यते जाह्नवीति च ॥ ३८ ॥
worshipped the great-souled Jahnu, best of men, and declared the Ganga to be the daughter of that great-souled one. Then, pleased, the radiant lord released her from his ears; therefore the Ganga is called Jahnu’s daughter, Jahnavi.
पुरुषश्रेष्ठ महात्मा जह्नु की पूजा करने लगे और गंगा को उन महात्मा की पुत्री घोषित किया। तब प्रसन्न होकर तेजस्वी प्रभु ने उसे अपने कानों से छोड़ दिया; इसलिए गंगा जह्नु की पुत्री, जाह्नवी कहलाती है।
CommentaryNot scripture The gods praise Jahnu and declare the Ganga his daughter. He releases her from his ears. That is why she is called Jahnavi , “daughter of Jahnu”, the name used throughout this poem.
Scene 3 of 3 · The Ganga reaches the ocean and the underworld, and the ashes of Sagara’s sixty thousand sons rise to heaven.
जगाम च पुनर्गङ्गा भगीरथरथानुगा । सागरं चापि सम्प्राप्ता सा सरित्प्रवरा तदा ॥ ३९ ॥
रसातलमुपागच्छत् सिद्ध्यर्थं तस्य कर्मणः । भगीरथोऽपि राजर्षिर्गङ्गामादाय यत्नतः ॥ ४० ॥
And the Ganga went on again, following Bhagiratha’s chariot, and that best of rivers reached the ocean and went down to Rasatala to accomplish his task. The royal sage Bhagiratha too, bringing the Ganga with effort,
और गंगा फिर भगीरथ के रथ के पीछे चली, और वह नदियों में श्रेष्ठ समुद्र तक पहुँचकर उनका कार्य पूरा करने के लिए रसातल में उतरी। राजर्षि भगीरथ भी प्रयत्न से गंगा को लाकर
CommentaryNot scripture The Ganga reaches the ocean and descends to Rasatala to complete Bhagiratha’s task. The place where the Ganga meets the sea, Ganga Sagar, is still a great pilgrimage site.
Scene 3 of 3 · The Ganga reaches the ocean and the underworld, and the ashes of Sagara’s sixty thousand sons rise to heaven.
पितामहान् भस्मकृतानपश्यद् गतचेतनः । अथ तद्भस्मनां राशिं गङ्गासलिलमुत्तमम् । प्लावयत् पूतपाप्मानः स्वर्गं प्राप्ता रघूत्तम ॥ ४१ ॥
saw his grandfathers reduced to ashes, and was overcome. Then the supreme water of the Ganga flooded that heap of ashes, and, their sins purified, they reached heaven, best of the Raghus.
अपने पितामहों को राख बना हुआ देखकर अभिभूत हो गए। तब गंगा के परम जल ने उस राख के ढेर को भिगो दिया, और रघुश्रेष्ठ, पापों से शुद्ध होकर वे स्वर्ग पहुँच गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Bhagiratha sees his ancestors’ ashes, and the Ganga floods them. Purified, the sixty thousand rise to heaven. Four generations of effort end in a single moment of grace. This is the story behind the Hindu practice of immersing ashes in the Ganga.
Scene 3 of 3 · The Ganga reaches the ocean and the underworld, and the ashes of Sagara’s sixty thousand sons rise to heaven.
