Stories From The Bhagawatham - When A Celestial River Descended To The Earth

 

Bhagirath, Dileepa’s son, handed over the reins of his kingdom to his trusted people and left with only one mission in his mind – to bring Ganga to the earth and to help his ancestors attain salvation. He performed severe and devoted Tapas. So intense was his devotion that the river Ganga had no choice but to appear before him in her divine form.

“What do you need? You have been devotedly meditating on me since a long time.” Ganga asked Bhagirath.

With folded hands, Bhagirath said, “My ancestors need salvation, and only you, the blessed Mandakini, who had the great fortune of touching Lord Narayana’s feet, can liberate them and deliver them to the Pitraloka. I humbly request you to come down to the earth and provide salvation to my ancestors.”

Ganga smiled and said, “You do not know the extent of my force and the power of my waters, do you? If I were to fall directly on earth from the heavens, the earth won’t be able to bear my force. Also, the earth is filled with sinners who will bathe in my waters and pollute me. Tell me why should I subject myself to this humiliation.”

“Not only sinners, there are pure souls too on the earth, Devi.” Bhagirath said humbly. “When they bathe in you, your waters will be purified and no impurity will ever taint you. As for the force of your waters, I will pray to Lord Mahadeva to bear your weight. If He agrees, will you come down to the earth, Mother?”

Ganga agreed.

Bhagirath now began his penance to beget the grace of Lord Mahadeva. But He is the Lord who is easily pleased and He immediately appeared before Bhagirath.

“Lord Mahadeva, You are the benefactor of the whole universe. The river Ganga needs to come down to earth from the heavens but someone will have to bear her weight. Will You kindly guide her path to the earth?”

Mahadeva agreed to help.

The Devas and all celestial beings assembled to see a most wondrous sight the Universe will ever see.

Mahadeva stood with His head raised slightly, His hands at His back, holding the trident and a radiant smile on His face. The snakes on His neck moved to and fro, creating a hypnotic rhythm. The blue spot on Mahadeva’s neck shone like a rare jewel.

Mahadeva was ready to receive Ganga!

But rivers are playful by nature, so Ganga, when she saw Mahadeva, increased her pace playfully and came down with great speed. Mahadeva smiled and decided to tease her a little. He allowed the river to flow on Him and when Ganga fell on His head, she got lost in the heavy locks of the Jatadari!

Everyone watched in silent disbelief, wondering how an entire river could disappear in an instant.

Bhagirath cried out in dismay, “Mahadeva, what happened? Will my ancestors never get salvation? Where is the river?”

Mahadeva smiled and let Ganga fall down from His earth through a very tiny opening in His locks.

When Ganga came down on earth, she split into seven streams. While six streams formed their own path and drifted away, one stream followed Bhagirath’s chariot as it thundered on its way to the cave in the netherworlds where his ancestors awaited their salvation.

In a single sweep, Ganga washed away all the ashes and Bhagirath’s ancestors finally reached Pitraloka.

Since Ganga was brought to the earth by Bhagirath, she came to be referred to as his daughter, by the name Bhagirathi.

And thus the world attained a divine celestial river, all thanks to a king named Bhagirath!

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaaya! Om Namaha Shivaaya!