RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN,--CHAPTER 43, DESCENT OF GANGA

                                RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 43

                                                 DESCENT OF GANGA

After Brahma went away, Bhagiratha spent another year in hard austerities. He raised his arms above his head. They were held straight. He stood on his toes. Air was his only food. His self was controlled and calm.

After one year, Maheshwara stood before him. Maheshwara was the Spouse of Uma. You have won my favour. And I shall do your pleasure. I shall even bear upon my head the Daughter of the Mountain.”

Thereupon the river Ganga increased her size and force. She fell with great force from lofty heavens, fell upon the peaceful head of Siva. She thought, “I will carry Sankara along with me and enter the nether region. The three-eyed Hara was angry with Ganga for her pride. He resolved to hide her from all sight. So when Ganga fell on the sacred head of Siva, she could not come down on earth. Ganga tried her level best. But she could not come down on earth. She was entangled in Mahadeva’a coils of matted hair. For countless years she was wandering through the pathless labyrinths. So she felt giddy. Seeing this, Bhagiratha again started with his austerities to please Siva.

Siva’s heart grew soft towards him. And he let Ganga down gently to the earth. Ganga came down from His coils in seven streams. Of which Hladini, Plavini and Nalini carried the waters to the east. Suchakshu, Sita and Sindhu flowed through the kingdoms of the west. And the last followed in the wake of Bhagiratha. He went forth in his beautiful car. Ganga’s waters rushed fast and furiously. Countless fish, tortoises, porpoises and other aquatic creatures continuously fell from the hight. And the Celestials came there to see that wonderful Descent of Ganga to the earth. Now swift, now slow, now straight like an arrow, now crooked, now with a sudden fall, now shooting upwards Ganga fell upon the earth with a sound of thunder. Descending upon Siva’s head and from there to earth, the waters became purer and holier. In the sacred water, everyone washed pure of his/her sins.

The royal sage Bhagiratha went before on his car. And Ganga followed in his footsteps. Gods and other beings like Danavas followed joyfully the Holy River. On its way, she decided to flow through the sacrificial ground of the sage, Jahnu. She swept away everything. Such pride and audacity angered the holy sage. So he drew into himself the waters of Ganga. The gods and sages were amazed at this wonderful sight. They soothed the wounded dignity of the great sage. “This Ganga,” they said, “shall be known as the daughter of Jahnu”. Mollified at this the sage let out Ganga through his ear. Hence she earned the names, “The daughter of Jahnu and Jahnavi.” Again she resumed her course behind the car of Bhagiratha. She proceeded onward until she reached the vast ocean. And then proceeded towards the Rastala for the accomplishment of Bhagiratha’s purpose.

The royal sage took Ganga to the nether regions upon his ancestors reduced to a heap of ashes. The holy waters of the Ganga bathed the ash pile and the owners thereof. They were all purified of their sins. Thus, through Bhagiratha’s austerities, they ascended to the High Heavens.