Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam BALAKANDAM Sarga 46 Glory of reading and hearing the descent of Ganga: Followed by Ganga he reached the depths to where Sagara’s sons had dug their way and then on to the lowest stratum where his great grand uncles lay reduced to ashes. When their ashes were thoroughly washed by the waters of Ganga, Brahma the lord of the created beings spoke to the king as follows, “O prince, the sixty thousand sons of Sagara have all been set free from damnation; they ascended the heavens and will be venerated there like Gods. Now this Ganga will be your eldest daughter and will be widely known by the name (1) Bhagirathi derived from Bhagiratha, (2) ) Tripathaga because it carves its way through the three spheres, viz. heaven, earth and the subterranean, (3) Divya a heavenly stream. O ruler of men offer water of the Ganga to all your granduncles, and implement the vow undertaken by your forefathers and yourself by offering them the water of Ganga. This ambition of bringing Ganga down to the mortal plane was not realized by (1) Sagara, who was the foremost of pious souls and who enjoyed exceptional glory, (2) Amsuman a royal sage invested with glory and had no parallel in the world in asceticism (3) Dilipa the sinless prince. This vow is implemented by you, Bhagiratha,” so said Brahma and ascended to his heaven. The royal sage quickly paid his libations to his ancestors and to the joy of his subjects he returned to his regal city to rule his ancestral state. O Sri Rama thus at length I (Sage Viswamitra) narrated the tale of the holy Ganga, the river Ganga is fit for bath all round the year. The reward for listening to this story of descent of Ganga on the mortal plane is conducive to longevity, fetches wealth and renown; ensures birth of a male issue; the man who narrates the descent of Ganga feels gratified and gains the kindness of the Gods and attains all desired objects.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 06:55:50 +0000
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