The Story Of Ganga

Bhagirath stood on one foot and prayed,

For years without moving, he had thus stayed.

Rigorous fasting, severe penance,

Unwavering, steadfast perseverance.

His ancestors, their souls needed release,

They had been cursed, sage Kapila they had displeased.

Incurring his wrath, his fury, his ire,

They turned to ashes, as if singed by fire.

Aimlessly their souls floated around,

No entry to the gates of heaven could be found.

Brahma with Bhagirath was greatly pleased,

His endeavours he wanted him to cease.

The souls wandered lonely, they were in need,

If he sent the mighty Ganga, they would be freed.

Ganga who had washed Lord Vishnu's feet when poured,

Ganga who in Brahma's 'kamandalam' was stored.

Ganga to earth would be sent,

In his 'kamandalam', Brahma made a vent.

Ganga the waters pure and white,

Tumbled from the heavens, from the very heights.

Turbulent, tempestuous, full of might,

Raw power almost blinding one's sight. 

Lord Shiva, Bhagirath did invoke,

Ganga unleashed he knew could provoke.

With increased fervour, he prayed more,

As Ganga fell with a deafening roar!

Shiva then his locks unfurled,

Round Ganga's watery sides he twirled.

A little pressure, a little squeeze,

Bemused, he controlled her with ease.

Gently he released her in three streams,

Watched her cascade, sparkle and gleam.

Bhagirath in his chariot led,

Earth with her waters was amply fed.

Down the Himalayas, she danced, she tripped,

Over jagged stones and narrow strips.

Fields turned fertile when she was seen,

Forests she turned lush and green.

All came to take a dip,

'Bhagirathi' they hailed, they worshipped.

Rishi Jahnu's ashram, she did see,

Lost in a trance, he seemed to be.

Full of caprice, she, the ashram did flood,

Mounds of debris, heaps of mud.

Seething with fury, the sage wise,

Opened his mouth, swallowed her in a trice!

Poor Bhagirath fell on his knees,

Extracted a promise, she would no more tease.

Out of his ears as 'Jahnavi', she spurted out,

It seemed with glee, she did shout.

Gurgling with melody, she wound her way,

Flutes and pipes she seemed to play.

Healing with her touch, feathery light,

Purifying all within her sight.

From the heavens, to the earth, to the netherworld,

She gushed and fell in a pool, in a swirl .

The ancestor souls at last came to rest,

With her waters sprinkled, they were blessed.

Mother ganges, sacred, divine,

Bestowing salvation, holy, sublime.

Footnotes

-------------

Kamandalam - An oblong water pot.
Bhagirathi - Name of the river Ganga who came down due to Bhagirath's penance.
Jahnavi - Name of the river Ganga who came out of sage Jahnu's ears.
Rishi - sage.