Prayers to Mother Ganges and meditation on Her glories from sastra and Srila Prabhupadas purports

[Paramananda das]

PAMHO

AGTSP'

ganga-tire tat-payobhis tulasyah
patraih puspaih prema-hunkara-ghosaih
prakatyartham gauram aradhayad yah
srila advaitacaryam etam prapadye

‎1) Let me surrender to Srila Advaita Acarya, who with tulasi leaves flowers water from the Ganges shore and loud calls of love worshiped Lord Gaura and begged Him to appear

In the Kalki Purana Srila Vyasadeva is predicting the prayers that Kalki avatar will offer to Mother Ganges, we see in the life of Valmiki Muni he also knew the pastimes of LordRamachandra even before they had taken place  

Prayers to the Sacred Ganga River

From the Kalki Purana, Chapter 34

Texts 1-2

shaunaka rishi uvacha

he suta sarvadharmajna

yattvaya kathitam pura

gangam stutva samayata

munayah kalki sannidhim

stavam tam vada gangayaha

sarvapapa pranasanam

mohaghnam shubhadam bhaktya

shrinvatam pathatamiha

            Shaunaka Rishi said: O Suta Gosvami, foremost knower of religious principals, you had mentioned that the sages went to see Lord Kalki after offering prayers to the River Ganga. We would like to hear these prayers to Ganga-devi. By faithfully hearing or reciting such prayers, one’s life becomes auspicious, all sinful reactions are destroyed, and ultimately one attains liberation from material existence.

Text 3

suta uvacha

shrinudhvamrishayah sarve

gangastavam anuttamam

sokamohaharam pumsam

rishibhih parikirttitam

            Suta Gosvami said: “My dear sages, please listen attentively as I recite the excellent prayers to the Ganga that were offered by the sages, and which remove all lamentation and distress.

Text 4

rishaya uchuhu

iyam suratarangini bhavana varidhestarini

stuta haripadambujad upagata jagatsamsadaha

sumeru shikhara amra priyajala malakshalini

prasannavadana shubha bhavabhayasya vidravini

            The great sages said: The holy Ganga descended from the heavenly planets to deliver all the conditioned souls from the vast ocean of material existence. Ganga-devi emanated from the lotus feet of Lord Hari and so everyone happily glorifies her. The water of the Ganga is enjoyed by the demigods who reside on the peak of Mount Sumeru. By bathing in her water, all one’s sinful reactions are vanquished. By pleasing Ganga-devi, one can easily gain release from the bondage of material existence.

Text 5

bhagiratham athanuga surakarimdra darpapaha

maheshamukuta prabha girishirah patakasita

surasuranaroragair ajabhavachyutaih samstuta

vimukti phalashalini kalusha nashini rajate

            This holy river followed the footsteps of King Bhagiratha. Because of her, the pride of Airavata, the carrier of Indra, was destroyed. She increases the beauty of Lord Mahadeva’s crown. She is like a white flag on top of the Himalayan mountains. Everyone glorifies her, be they demigods, demons, human beings, or serpents, or even Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva. She destroyes all sinful reactions and awards liberation.

Text 6

pitamaha kamandalu prabhava muktivijalata

shruti smriti ganastuta dvijakulala balavrita

sumeru shikharabhida nipatita trilokavrita

sudharma phalashalini sukhapalashini rajate

            She was produced from the water pot of Lord Brahma. She is the creeper grown from the seed of liberation. She is surrounded by many qualified brahmanas glorifying her by reciting passages from the revealed scriptures. She descended upon the peak of Mount Sumeru and then spread throughout the three worlds. Religiosity is her fruit and happiness is her leaves.

Text 7

charad vihagamalini sagara vamsa muktiprada

munimdra vara nandini divimata cha madakini

sada duritanashini vimala vari samdarshana

pranama guna kirttanadishu jagatsu samrajate

            By seeing her pure water, by offering her obeisances, and by singing her glories, one’s mountain of sinful reactions is destroyed. Birds walk on her banks or swim in her water. By her mercy, the sons of Sagara achieved liberation. She is considered to be the daughter of the sage, Jahnu. She is known as the Mandikini in the heavenly planets.

Text 8

mahabhidha sutangana himagirisha kutastani

saphenajalahasini sita marala sancharini

chalallahara satkara vara saroja maladhara

rasollasita gamini jaladhi kamini rajate

            She became the queen of King Shantanu. The peaks of the Himalayas are her breasts, her foamy water is her smile, white swans are her movements, her waves are her hands, and the fully blossomed lotus flowers are the flower garland that adorns her chest. In this way, she travels to the sea in a cheerful mood.

Text 9

kvachit kalakalasvana kvachid dhirayadoganaha

kvachin muniganaih stuta kvachid ananta sampujita

kvachid ravi karojvala kvachid udagra patakula

kachij jana vigahita jayati bhishmamata sati

            Somewhere by the side of the Ganga, great sages are engaged in reciting prayers, somewhere Lord Ananta worships the Supreme Lord, somewhere ferocious crocodiles are playing, somewhere the sun is reflected on the surface of the water, somewhere her water makes a loud splashing sound, and somewhere people are bathing. May the chaste mother of Bhisma be glorified.

Text 10

sa eva kushalo janah pranamatiha bhagirathim

sa eva tapasam nidhirjapati janhavim adarat

sa eva purushottamah smarati sadhu mandakini

sa eva vijayi prabhuh surataranginim sevate

            Anyone who offers obeisances to the Ganga is benefitted. He is a great ascetic who faithfully chants her names. He is the best of all persons who meditates on her. One who serves the Mandakini [Ganga] is always victorious, and is considered the master of everyone.

Text 11

bhavamala jalachitam khaga shrigala minakshatam

chalalla hari lolitam ruchira tira jambalitam

kada nijavapur muda suranaro ragaih samstuto’pyaham

trpathagamini priyamativa pashyamyaho

            O traveler throughout the three worlds, when will I see my body half-eaten by the aquatic birds and animals who reside in your pure water? When will I see my body pushed, pulled and rolled by your forceful waves? When, upon seeing me in this condition, will the demigods, best of human beings, and serpents glorify me?

Text 12

tvattire vasatim tavamalajalasnanam tava prekshanam

tvannama smaranam tava dayakatha samlapanam pavanam

gange me tava sevanaika nipuno’pyananditas chadritaha

stutva tvadgatapatako bhuvi kada shantas charishyamyaham

            O holy river, when will I reside on your shore, bathe in your pure water, chant your holy name, discuss your appearance and activities, engage in your worship, and joyfully wander throughout the world singing your glories?

Text 13

ityetad rishibih proktam

gangastavam anuttamam

svargyam yashasyam ayushyam

pathanat shrivanadapi

            By reciting or hearing these supremely auspicious prayers to Ganga that were offered by great sages, one can ascend to the spiritual world, and even in this lifetime, his fame and duration of life will be enhanced.

Text 14

sarvapapaharam pumsam

balam ayur vivarddhanam

pratar madhyahna sayahne

gangasannidhyata bhavet

            One who recites or hear these prayers, either in the morning, at noon, or in the evening, will receive the association of Ganga-devi, all his sinful reactions will be eradicated, and his strength and duration of life will increase.

Text 15

ityetad bhargavakhyanam

shukadevan maya shrutam

pathitam shravitam chatra

punyam dhanyam yashaskaram

            I heard these prayers from the mouth of Shukadeva Gosvami. One who hears or recites these sacred prayers will be awarded heaps of pious merit, wealth and fame.

 

 

There is a beautiful article by Jaya Vijaya Prabhu about Lord Caitanyas relationship with Mother Ganges based on Caitanya Mangala:

 

http://www.dandavats.com/?p=5959

 

 

Jahnu rsi has written a famous prayer to Mother Ganges:  The Ganga stuti:

 

http://www.stutimandal.com/gif_devi/ganga_stuti_devi_puran.htm

 

This is from Devi Purana

 

 

In India there is lots of prayers and artiks to Mother Ganges such as:

 

AARATII GANGAA MAIYAA,
MAAN JAI SURASARI MAIYAA
BHAVA VAARIDHI UDDHAARINII,
ATI HI SUDHRUUDHA NAIYAA

May we offer this prayer to Ganga, the divine mother and wave the festal lamp before her; may we glorify her who delivers us from the cycle of transmigration and the ocean of this world as if she were a steady boat.

HARI PADA PADMA PRASUUTAA,
VIMALA VAARIDHAARAA
BRAHMADRAVA BHAAGIRATHII,
SUCHI PUNYAAGAARAA

You are born of he lotus-feet of Vishnu and are famous as a stream of unpolluted water. You are Brahma in a streaming, flowing form brought to earth by Bhagiratha, sacred and a repository of all virtues.

SHSNKARA JATAA VIHAARINII, HAARINII TRAYA TAAPAA|
SAGARA PUTRAGANA TAARINII, HARANII SAKALA PAAPAA

Shiva’s locks are as it were your bower of bliss where you enjoy roaming about; you are the destroyer of all the three kinds of afflictions, physical, mental and providential, deliverer of the sons of Sagara and redresser of all sins.

GANGAA GANGAA JO JANA, UCCHARATA MUKHA SON|
DUURA DESHA STITHA BHII, TURATA TARATA SUKHA SON

He who chants your name even from a long distance is instantaneously rewarded with great comfort and pleasure and attains deliverance as well.

MRUTA KII ASTHI TANIKA TAVA, JALADHAARAA PAAVAI|
SO JANA PAAVANA HOKARA, PARAMADHAAMA JAAVAI

Just a few drops of your holy stream sanctify the bones of the dead, who touching them, go straight to heaven.

TAVA TATAVAASII TARUVARA, JALA THALA CHARA PRAANII|
PAKSHII PASHU PATANGA, GATI PAAVAI NIRVAANII

The countless creature that live in the water or on land, the innumerable birds, cattle, insects as well as the trees growing on your banks are all entitled to salvation (by their association with you).

MAATU DAYAAMAYII KIIJAI, DIINANA PARA DAAYAA|
PRABHU PADA PADMA MILAAKARA, HARI LIIJAI MAAYAA

O compassionate goddess, be kind to the poor and the destitute and revealing to them the lotus-feet of the Lord, lift the veil of delusion which covers their conscience.

Kolavecha Sridhara used to worship Mother Ganges every day and spend 50 % of his small income from selling banana leave cups and some vegtabels and bananas.

Lord Caitanya asked the Kesava Kasmiri to compose 100 verses of Ganga which he did ( he is the incarnation of Nimbarkacarya so he could  serve Lord Caitanya)

sadly now a days there is prayers to save Ganga from pollution:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/ganges-200711.html

here is something from Garga Samhita that is most auspiscious:

Canto One, Volume Four
Chapter Three

Kalindy-agamana-varnana
Description of the Yamuna's Arrival

Text 1

sri-sannanda uvaca

goloke harinajnapta
kalindi saritam vara
krishnam pradakshini-kritya
gantum abhyudyatabhavat


Sri Sannanda said: Ordered by Lord Krishna in Goloka, Yamuna, the best of rivers, circumambulated the Lord and was about to go (to the earth).

Text 2

tadaiva viraja sakshad
ganga brahma-dravodbhava
dve nadyau yamunayam tu
sampraline babhuvatuh


Then the Viraja river and the spiritual Ganga river both entered the Yamuna.

Text 3

paripurnatamam krishnam
tasmat krishnasya nanda-rat
paripurnatamasyapi
patta-rajnim vidur janah


O king Nanda, for this reason the people know that the Yamuna is the greatest of rivers and the first queen of Lord Krishna.

Text 4

tato vegena mahata
kalindi saritam vara
bibheda viraja-vegam
nikunja-dvara-nirgata


Then, with great force breaking through the current of the Viraja, the Yamuna left the gate of the transcendental forest grove.

Text 5

asankhya-brahmanda-cayam
sprishtva brahma-dravam gata
bhindanti taj-jalam dirgham
sva-vegena maha-nadi


Touching countless universes, she came to the spiritual Ganga. With great force the great Yamuna river broke through the Ganga's waters.

Text 6

vama-padangushtha-nakha-
bhinna-brahmanda-mastake
sri-vamanasya vivare
brahma-drava-samakule


Then the Yamuna came to an opening Lord Vamana's left toe had made in the top of a universe, an opening through which the spiritual Ganga flowed.

Text 7

tasmin sri-gangaya sardham
pravishtabhut sarid-vara
vaikuntham cajita-padam
samprapya dhruva-mandale


With Sri Ganga entering that opening, the Yamuna, the best of rivers, then came to the unconquerable Lord's abode of Vaikuntha in the planet of Maharaja Dhruva.

Text 8

brahmalokam abhivyapya
patanti brahma-mandalat
tatah suranam sataso
lokal lokam jagama ha


Then the Yamuna came to Brahmaloka. Falling from Brahma's planet, she went to the hundreds of planets of the demigods. She went from one planet to another.

Text 9

tatah papata vegena
sumeru-giri-murdhani
giri-kutan atikramya
bhittva ganda-sila-tatan


Then with great force she fell on Mount Sumeru. Flowing from its peaks, she broke the stones on its slope.

Text 10

sumeror dakshina-disam
gantum abhyuditabhavat
tatah sri-yamuna sakshac
chri-gangayam vinirgata


Then, in order to go south from Mount Sumeru, Sri Yamuna left Sri Ganga's path.

Text 11

ganga tu prayayau sailam
himavantam maha-nadi
krishna tu prayayau sailam
kalindam prapya sa tada


Then the Ganga went to Mount Himavat and the great river Yamuna went to Mount Kalinda.

Texts 12 and 13

kalinditi samakhyata
kalinda-prabhava yada
kalinda-giri-sanunam
ganda-saila-tatan dridhan

bhittva luthanti bhu-khande
krishna vegavati sati
desan punanti kalindi
prapta vai khandave vane


Because she is thus Mount Kalinda's daughter, she is named Kalindi. Flowing from Mount Kalinda's peaks, and breaking the hard rocks on his slopes, the sacred Kalindi swiftly flowed on the earth, purifying the countries she passed. Then she entered the Khandava forest.

Text 14

paripurnatamam sakshac
chri-krishnam varam icchanti
dhritva vapuh param divyam
tapas tepe kalindaja


Wishing to attain Lord Krishna, the Original Supreme Personality of Godhead, as her husband, the Kalindi assumed a splendid spiritual form and performed great austerities.

Text 15

pitra vinirmite gehe
jale 'dyapi samasrita
tato vegena kalindi
praptabhud vraja-mandale


Even today she stays in a water-house her father made for her. Then the Kalindi swiftly entered Vraja-mandala.

Text 16

vrindavana-samipe ca
mathura-nikate subhe
sri-mahavana-parsve ca
saikate ramana-sthale


Then she flowed through Vrindavana, beautiful Mathura, and beautiful secluded Mahavana.

Text 17

sri-goloke ca yamuna
yuthi-bhutvati-sundari
sri-krishnacandra-rasartham
nija-vasam cakara ha


As the very beautiful leader of many gopis, Sri Yamuna made her home in Sri Goloka to perform the rasa dance with Sri Krishnacandra.

Text 18

atho vrajad vrajanti sa
vraja-vikshepa-vihvala
premanandasru-samyukta
bhutva pascima-vahini


As she left Vraja she became overwhelmed by feelings of separation. Filled with tears of bliss and love, she turned west (and returned to Vraja).

Text 19

tatas tri-varam vegena
natvatho vraja-mandale
desan punanti prayayau
prayagam tirtha-sattamam


Then, bowing three times to Vraja-mandala, she went to very holy Prayaga, purifying the countries she passed.

Text 20

punah sri-gangaya sardham
kshirabdhim sa jagama ha
devah suvarsham pushpanam
cakrur divi jaya-dhvanim


When, flowing with Sri Ganga, she entered the Kshira ocean, the demigods in heaven showered flowers and exclaimed victory!"

Text 21

krishna sri-yamuna sakshat
kalindi saritam vara
samudram etya sri-gangam
praha gadgadaya gira


When dark Sri Yamuna, who was the best of rivers and the daughter of Mount Kalinda, entered the ocean, she spoke to Sri Ganga with words choked with emotion.

Text 22

sri-yamunovaca

he gange tvam tu dhanyasi
sarva-brahmanda-pavani
krishna-padabja-sambhuta
sarva-lokaika-vandita


Sri Yamuna said: O Ganga, you are fortunate. You purify all the universes. You were born from Lord Krishna's lotus foot. Everyone bows down before you alone.

Text 23

urdhvam yami harer lokam
gaccha tvam api he subhe
tvat-samanam hi divyam ca
na bhutam na bhavishyati


Now I will ascend to Lord Hari's abode. O beautiful one, you come also. There never was, nor will there ever be, anyone as glorious as you.

Text 24

sri-gangovaca

sarva-tirtha-mayi ganga
tasmat tvam pranamamy aham
yat kincid va prakathitam
tat kshamasva su-mangale


Sri Ganga said: I, the Ganga, who contain all holy places, bow down before you. O auspicious one, please forgive any improper words I may have said.

Text 25

he krishne tvam tu dhanyasi
sarva-brahmanda-pavani
krishna-vamamsa-sambhuta
paramananda-rupini


O dark Yamuna, you are the fortunate one. You purify all the universes. You were born from Lord Krishna's left shoulder. Your form is full of transcendental bliss.

Text 26

paripurnatama sakshat
sarva-lokaika-vandita
paripurnatamasyapi
sri-krishnasya mahatmanah


You are most perfect and complete. You are worshiped by all. You are dear to Sri Krishna, the great Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 27

patta-rajnim param krishne
krishnam tvam pranamamy aham
tirthair devair durlabham tvam
goloke 'pi ca durghata


O dark Yamuna, I bow down to you, the first queen of Lord Krishna. The holy places and demigods find it difficult to attain you. Even in Goloka it is difficult to attain you.

Text 28

aham yasyami patalam
sri-krishnasyajnaya subhe
tvad-viyogaturaham vai
yanam kartum na ca kshama


By Lord Krishna's order I must go to Patalaloka now. I am unhappy to leave you, but I cannot go with you.

Text 29

yuthi-bhutva bhavishyami
sri-vraje rasa-mandale
yat kincin me prakathitam
tat kshamasva hari-priye


I will become a leader of many gopis in the rasa-dance circle in Sri Vraja. O beloved of Lord Hari, please forgive any improper words I may have said.

Text 30

sri-sannanda uvaca

ittham parasparam natva
dve nadyau yayatur drutam
lokan pavitri-kurvanti
patale svah-sarid gata


Sri Sannanda said: Bowing down before each other, the two rivers then quickly went their respective ways. The heavenly Ganga went to Patalaloka, purifying the planets as she passed.

Text 31

sapi bhogavati-namna
babhau bhogavati-vane
yaj-jalam sa-trinayanah
sesho murdhna bibharti ha


There she is named Bhogavati, for she flows through the Bhogavati forest. Lord Sesha and Lord Siva carry her water on Their heads.

Text 32

atha krishna sva-vegena
bhittva saptabdhi-mandalam
sapta-dvipa-mahi-prishthe
luthanti vegavat tara


Quickly traversing the seven oceans, the dark Yamuna quickly flowed through the world of seven islands.

Text 33

gatva svarnamayim bhumim
lokalokacalam gata
tat-sanu-ganda-sailanam
tatam bhittva kalindaja


Then the Yamuna flowed to the golden land and then Mount Lokaloka where, flowing from its peaks, she broke the rocks on its slopes.

Text 34

tan-murdhni cotpapatasu
spharavaj-jala-dharaya
udgacchanti tad-urdhvam sa
yayau svargam tu nakinam


Then she rose again to its peaks and, with a great stream of water, rose to Svargaloka in the heavenly worlds.

Text 35

a-brahmalokam lokams tan
abhivyapya hareh padam
brahmanda-randhram sri-brahma-
drava-yuktam sametya sa


She passed through the planets on the way to Brahmaloka and, meeting the Ganga at the opening in the universe, went to Lord Hari's abode.

Text 36

pushpa-varsham pravarshatsu
deveshu pranateshu ca
punah sri-krishna-golokam
aruroha sarid-vara


As the demigods showered flowers and bowed down to offer respects, Sri Yamuna, the best of rivers, returned to Sri Krishna's abode of Goloka.

Text 37

kalinda-giri-nandini-nava-caritram etac chubham
srutam ca yadi pathitam bhuvi tanoti sanmangalam
jano 'pi yadi dharayet kila pathec ca yo nityasah
sa yati paramam padam nija-nikunja-lilavritam


If a person in this world hears or reads this auspicious and ever-new pastime of Mount Kalinda's daughter Yamuna, he will attain great auspiciousness. If one regularly reads or remembers this pastime, he will attain the transcendental forest groves where the Supreme Lord enjoys His pastimes.

GANGA MAHATMYA Lord Krishna says in the Gita: "Among streams, I am the Ganga". Devi Bhagavatam: "He who utters 'Gange, Gange' even from a distance of hundreds of kilometers, becomes purified from all sins, and attains Vaikuntha, the world of Vishnu." Lord Dhanvantari: "When the body is afflicted by senility and diseases, the holy water of Mother Ganga  is the medicine, and Lord Narayana (Hari), from whose Feet Mother Ganga emanates, is the great physician." Sri Sankara: "Even a little study of the Bhagavad Gita, or drinking of a little Ganga water, and worship even once of Murari, will make one immune to Yama, the Lord of Death."

 

Adi Sankara also composed a Ganga stotra:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8euZX0TlkWQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmno-1Mqd8Q&feature=related

and Ganga Stava:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ty1JVsMe64&feature=related

Srimad Bhagavatam 5canto chapter 15   explains about the descent of Ganges:

http://vedabase.net/sb/5/17/en

 

       SB 5.17.1: Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, Lord Viṣṇu, the enjoyer of all sacrifices, appeared as Vāmanadeva in the sacrificial arena of Bali Mahārāja. Then He extended His left foot to the end of the universe and pierced a hole in its covering with the nail of His big toe. Through the hole, the pure water of the Causal Ocean entered this universe as the Ganges River. Having washed the lotus feet of the Lord, which are covered with reddish powder, the water of the Ganges acquired a very beautiful pink color. Every living being can immediately purify his mind of material contamination by touching the transcendental water of the Ganges, yet its waters remain ever pure. Because the Ganges directly touches the lotus feet of the Lord before descending within this universe, she is known as Viṣṇupadī. Later she received other names like Jāhnavī and Bhāgīrathī. After one thousand millenniums, the water of the Ganges descended on Dhruvaloka, the topmost planet in this universe. Therefore all learned sages and scholars proclaim Dhruvaloka to be Viṣṇupada ["situated on Lord Viṣṇu's lotus feet"].

 

PURPORT

In this verse, Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes the glories of the Ganges River. The water of the Ganges is called patita-pāvanī, the deliverer of all sinful living beings. It is a proven fact that a person who regularly bathes in the Ganges is purified both externally and internally. Externally his body becomes immune to all kinds of disease, and internally he gradually develops a devotional attitude toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Throughout India, many thousands of people live on the banks of the Ganges, and by regularly bathing in her waters, they are undoubtedly being purified both spiritually and materially. Many sages, including Śańkarācārya, have composed prayers in praise of the Ganges, and the land of India itself has become glorious because such rivers as the Ganges,Yamunā, Godāvarī, Kāverī, Kṛṣṇā and Narmadā flow there. Anyone living on the land adjacent to these rivers is naturally advanced in spiritual consciousness.Śrīla Madhvācārya says:

vārāhe vāma-pādaḿ tu

tad-anyeṣu tu dakṣiṇam

pādaḿ kalpeṣu bhagavān

ujjahāra trivikramaḥ

Standing on His right foot and extending His left to the edge of the universe, Lord Vāmana became known as Trivikrama, the incarnation who performed three heroic deeds.

 

SB 5.17.2: Dhruva Mahārāja, the famous son of Mahārāja Uttānapāda, is known as the most exalted devotee of the Supreme Lord because of his firm determination in executing devotional service. Knowing that the sacred Ganges water washes the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu, Dhruva Mahārāja, situated on his own planet, to this very day accepts that water on his head with great devotion. Because he constantly thinks of Kṛṣṇa very devoutly within the core of his heart, he is overcome with ecstatic anxiety. Tears flow from his half-open eyes, and eruptions appear on his entire body.

 

PURPORT

  

When a person is firmly fixed in devotional service to the Supreme ...vīra-vrata, fully determined. Such a devotee increases his ecstasy in devotional service more and more. Thus as soon as he remembers Lord Viṣṇu, his eyes fill with tears. This is a symptom of amahā-bhāgavata. Dhruva Mahārāja maintained himself in that devotional ecstasy, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also gave us a practical example of transcendental ecstasy when He lived at Jagannātha Purī. His pastimes there are fully narrated in Caitanya-caritāmṛta

 

 

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 SB 5.17.3: The seven great sages [Marīci, Vasiṣṭha, Atri and so on] reside on planets beneath Dhruvaloka. Well aware of the influence of the water of the Ganges, to this day they keep Ganges water on the tufts of hair on their heads. They have concluded that this is the ultimate wealth, the perfection of all austerities, and the best means of prosecuting transcendental life. Having obtained uninterrupted devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they neglect all other beneficial processes like religion, economic development, sense gratification and even merging into the Supreme. Just as jñānīs think that merging into the existence of the Lord is the highest truth, these seven exalted personalities accept devotional service as the perfection of life.

 

 

PURPORT

Transcendentalists are divided into two primary groups: the nirviśeṣa-vādīs, or impersonalists, and the bhaktas, or devotees. The impersonalists do not accept spiritual varieties of life. They want to merge into the existence of the Supreme Lord in His Brahman feature (the brahmajyoti). The devotees, however, desire to take part in the transcendental activities of the Supreme Lord. In the upper planetary system, the topmost planet is Dhruvaloka, and beneath Dhruvaloka are the seven planets occupied by the great sages, beginning with Marīci, Vasiṣṭha and Atri. All these sages regard devotional service as the highest perfection of life. Therefore they all carry the holy water of the Ganges on their heads. This verse proves that for one who has achieved the platform of pure devotional service, nothing else is important, even so-called liberation (kaivalya). Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī states that only by achieving pure devotional service of the Lord can one give up all other engagements as insignificant. Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī confirms his statement as follows:

kaivalyaḿ narakāyate tri-daśa-pūr ākāśa-puṣpāyate

durdāntendriya-kāla-sarpa-paṭalī protkhāta-daḿṣṭrāyate

viśvaḿ pūrṇa-sukhāyate vidhi-mahendrādiś ca kīṭāyate

yat kāruṇya-kaṭākṣa-vaibhavavatāḿ taḿ gauram eva stumaḥ

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has perfectly enunciated and broadcast the process of bhakti-yoga. Consequently, for one who has taken shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the highest perfection of the Māyāvādīs, kaivalya, or becoming one with the Supreme, is considered hellish, to say nothing of the karmīs' aspiration to be promoted to the heavenly planets. Devotees consider such goals to be worthless phantasmagoria. There are also yogīs, who try to control their senses, but they can never succeed without coming to the stage of devotional service. The senses are compared to poisonous snakes, but the senses of a bhakta engaged in the service of the Lord are like snakes with their poisonous fangs removed. The yogī tries to suppress his senses, but even great mystics like Viśvāmitra fail in the attempt. Viśvāmitra was conquered by his senses when he was captivated by Menakā during his meditation. She later gave birth to Śakuntalā. The wisest persons in the world, therefore, are the bhakti-yogīs, as Lord Kṛṣṇa confirms in Bhagavad-gītā (6.47):

yoginām api sarveṣāḿ

mad-gatenāntarātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māḿ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

"Of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all."

 

SB 5.17.4: After purifying the seven planets near Dhruvaloka [the polestar], the Ganges water is carried through the spaceways of the demigods in billions of celestial airplanes. Then it inundates the moon [Candraloka] and finally reaches Lord Brahmā's abode atop Mount Meru.

 

PURPORT

 

We should always remember that the Ganges River comes from the Caus...Meru, which is known as Sumeru-parvata. In this way, the water of the Ganges finally reaches the lower planets and the peaks of the Himalayas, and from there it flows through Hardwar and throughout the plains of India, purifying the entire land. How the Ganges water reaches the various planets from the top of the universe is explained herein. Celestial airplanes carry the water from the planets of the sages to other planets. So-called advanced scientists of the modern age are trying to go to the higher planets, but at the same time they are experiencing a power shortage on earth. If they were actually capable scientists, they could personally go by airplane to other planets, but this they are unable to do. Having now given up their moon excursions, they are attempting to go to other planets, but without success.

 

 

 

 SB 5.17.5: On top of Mount Meru, the Ganges divides into four branches, each of which gushes in a different direction [east, west, north and south]. These branches, known by the names Sītā, Alakanandā, Cakṣu and Bhadrā, flow down to the ocean.

 

SB 5.17.6: The branch of the Ganges known as the Sītā flows through Brahmapurī atop Mount Meru, and from there it runs down to the nearby peaks of theKesarācala Mountains, which stand almost as high as Mount Meru itself. These mountains are like a bunch of filaments around Mount Meru. From the KesarācalaMountains, the Ganges falls to the peak of Gandhamādana Mountain and then flows into the land of Bhadrāśva-varṣa. Finally it reaches the ocean of salt water in the west.

SB 5.17.7: The branch of the Ganges known as Cakṣu falls onto the summit of Mālyavān Mountain and from there cascades onto the land of Ketumāla-varṣa. The Ganges flows incessantly through Ketumāla-varṣa and in this way also reaches the ocean of salt water in the West.

SB 5.17.8: The branch of the Ganges known as Bhadrā flows from the northern side of Mount Meru. Its waters fall onto the peaks of Kumuda Mountain, MountNīla, Śveta Mountain and Śṛńgavān Mountain in succession. Then it runs down into the province of Kuru and, after crossing through that land, flows into the saltwater ocean in the north.

SB 5.17.9: Similarly, the branch of the Ganges known as Alakanandā flows from the southern side of Brahmapurī [Brahma-sadana]. Passing over the tops of mountains in various lands, it falls down with fierce force upon the peaks of the mountains Hemakūṭa and Himakūṭa. After inundating the tops of those mountains, the Ganges falls down onto the tract of land known as Bhārata-varṣa, which she also inundates. Then the Ganges flows into the ocean of salt water in the south. Persons who come to bathe in this river are fortunate. It is not very difficult for them to achieve with every step the results of performing great sacrifices like the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha yajñas.

 

 

PURPORT

The place where the Ganges flows into the salt water of the Bay of Bengal is still known as Gańgā-sāgara, or the meeting place of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. On Makara-sańkrānti, in the month of January-February, thousands of people still go there to bathe, hoping to be liberated. That they can actually be liberated in this way is confirmed herein. For those who bathe in the Ganges at any time, the results of great sacrifices like the Aśvamedha and Rājasūya yajñas are not at all difficult to achieve. Most people in India are still inclined to bathe in the Ganges, and there are many places where they can do so. At Prayāga(Allahabad), many thousands of people gather during the month of January to bathe in the confluence of the Ganges and Yamunā. Afterward, many of them go to the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Ganges to take bath there. Thus it is a special facility for all the people of India that they can bathe in the water of the Ganges at so many places of pilgrimage.

from http://www.prabhupada.org/rama/?p=2175

 

Attached file: “The descent of the river Ganges” by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Gangapujan Dashahara or Dussehra

This is literally the “birthday or descent of mother Ganges - Ganga Ma”. Throughout india this festival lasts ten days beginning on the Amavasya (dark moon night) and going through to the dasami tithi (tenth phase of the Moon, the day before Pandava Nirjal Ekadasi) “Festivals connected with rivers are essentially bathing festivals.

Ganga Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of Jyeshtha. River Ganga is worshipped as a mother as well as a Goddess, particularly by people of Uttara Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal through which the river flows. On this day, if a devotee is unable to visit and bathe in the river Ganga, then Ganga jal (water) kept in most Hindu homes is used for purification. A bath in the river is said to purify the bather of all sins. The Ganga is revered all over India even in places far from its course.

Initially, river Ganga flowed in the heavens. She was brought down to earth by the severe penances of the sage Bhagiratha and that is why she is also called Bhagirathi. According to the story, of the descent of the Ganga, once a number of demons were harassing the hermits by disturbing them in their ascetic duties. During the day, they would be chased into the ocean. But in the darkness of the night, they would emerge from the ocean and start harassing the hermits again. In desperation the hermits appealed to Rishi Agastya. Agastya, known for his gastronomic powers, drank all the water of the ocean.

Though this was done in good faith, it resulted in depriving the world of the water needed for sustenance and the earth became parched and dry. Bhagiratha brought this drought to and end. According to the legend, King Sagara of the Ikshvaku dynasty ruling at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh had two queens, Keshani and Sumati, but neither had a child. Sagara performed severe austerities before his wives could produce sons. But whereas Keshani gave birth to a son called Asmajas, Sumati bore
60,000 sons. Sagara performed the Ashwamedha sacrifice to declare his suzerainty over the neighbouring kingdoms.

According to the prevalent custom, the sacrificial horse was let loose and allowed to wander into the neighbouring kingdoms. If the horse was caught, a battle ensued and the outcome decided the winner. The 60,000 sons of Sagara were following the horse when they saw him enter a cavern where sage Kapila was meditating. Not seeing the horse in the cavern, they presumed that Kapila had captured it. They did not kill Kapila as he was a sage but they started disturbing his meditations. Annoyed at being disturbed, Kapila with a curse burnt the 60,000 sons of Sagara.

Time passed and later Bhagiratha, the great grandson of Sagara, chanced to come across the bones of his dead ancestors. He wanted to perform the shraddha of his ancestors but there was no water available for the ceremony. Agastya having drunk all the waters of the ocean, the country was passing through a severe drought. Bhagiratha prayed to Brahma, the Creator, to end the drought. Brahma asked him to pray to Vishnu, the Preserver, to allow the heavenly Ganga, issuing from His big toe, to come down to earth. Vishnu when prayed to by Bhagiratha agreed, but asked him to request Shiva, the third member of the Hindu trinity of Gods, to allow the torrential rain to fall on his head before it came to the earth as the river was very forceful and if she were allowed to come down unchecked, her fall would split the earth.

Shiva agreed to take the gigantic weight of the cascading Ganga on the matted hair piled high on his head. This ensnared and delayed the progress of the river which, in meandering through the labyrinth of his hair, lost its force and then gently descended to the Himalayas from whence it flowed to the plains bestowing its waters on the parched earth. And that is why the anthropomorphic image of Ganga is shown in the matted hair of Shiva who is also called Gangadhara. Being born in the Himalayas, Ganga is considered the elder sister of Parvati, who is also a daughter of the Himalayas.

According to the Agni Purana and Padma Purana, the Ganga descended to the earth on Ganga Dussehra day and a bath in the holy river on this day is said to purify one of all sins. To die on the banks of the Ganga is considered most auspicious. If that is not possible, then the immersion of the ashes after cremation in the river Ganga is a must, as it then releases one from the cycles of birth and re-birth.

The seven ways of worshipping the Ganga are: by calling out her name, ‘Oh Ganga’; having darshan of her; by toughing her waters; by worshipping and bathing; by standing in the waters of the river; and by carrying clay dug out of the river. Ganga in her anthropomorphic form is shown as a beautiful young woman standing on a crocodile and holding a waterpot in her hands. Her image, with that of the Goddess Yamuna, another sacred river deity, is often depicted on the doors of temples and palaces. In Gujarat, there is a legend according to which Ganga came down to the earth on Rishi Panchami, the fifth day of Bhadra (September) at Tarnetar.

 

One sannaysi from The Madhava sampradaya has praised Srila Prabhupada;

 

"...just as Bhagiratha brought the Ganga to India, Swami Prabhupada 
brought the Bhakti-Ganga to the whole world."

your servant

Paramananda das