Ganga, the chief of the sacred streams of India, whose water are said to have the power of cleansing of all past, present and future sins, is believed to be divine and the account of her birth and appearance on earth forms interesting episode in the Ramayana. Rama and Laksmana as soon as they reach the banks of sacred stream, They bathed, as Scripture bids, and paid oblations due to god and shade. As soon as they were seated, Rama said-
O saint, I yearn. The three-patched Ganga ’s tale to learn. Thus urged, the saint recounted both. The birth of Ganga and her growth: The mighty hill with metals stored, Himalaya , is ,the mountains lord, The father of a lovely pair. Of daughters, fairest of the fair. Their mother, offspring of the will. Of Meru, everlasting hill, Mena, Himalaya ’s graced with beauty of her dainty waist. Ganga was elder born, then cameThe fair one known by other name. Then all the gods of heaven, in need of Ganga help their vows to speed, To great Himalaya came and prayer The mountain king to yield the maid. He not regardless of the weal, Of the three worlds , with holy zeal. His daughter to the Immortals gave, whose water cleanse and save. In addition to the Ganges, there are many other rivers regarded as sacred by the Hindus; the worship of these, and bathing in them, being productive of almost as great blessing as are to be obtained from Ganga herself. Some of these are considered as male and some as female. The following is not a complete list, but it contains the name of the rivers most generally worshipped.
Male Rivers- The Sona and Brahmputra
Female Rivers- The Godavari, the kaveri, the gomti, the sarayu, the gandaki, the varahi, the satadru, the vipasa, the airavati, the sindhu, the Yamuna, the saraswati,the sindhu etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment