Sarga 35: The Origin of Ganga
Ganga Utpatti
Reaching the banks of the Ganga, Rama asks Vishvamitra to tell her story; the sage relates how Ganga and Uma, daughters of Himavan and Mena, were given to the gods and to Rudra respectively, and how Ganga ascended to heaven for the good of the three worlds.
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उपास्य रात्रिशेषं तु शोणाकूले महर्षिभि:। निशायां सुप्रभातायां विश्वामित्रोऽभ्यभाषत।।1.35.1।।
Meaning
Having spent the rest of the night with the great sages on the bank of the Shona, at the break of dawn Vishvamitra spoke.
सुप्रभाता निशा राम पूर्वा सन्ध्या प्रवर्तते। उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते गमनायाभिरोचय।।1.35.2।।
Meaning
The night has turned to fair dawn, Rama, the eastern twilight is setting in; arise, arise, be well, and prepare yourself for the journey.
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य कृत्वा पौर्वाह्णिकीं क्रियाम्। गमनं रोचयामास वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह।।1.35.3।।
Meaning
Hearing his words, having performed his morning rites, Rama agreed to set out and spoke these words.
अयं शोणश्शुभजलोऽगाध: पुलिनमण्डित:। कतरेण पथा ब्रह्मन् सन्तरिष्यामहे वयम्।।1.35.4।।
Meaning
This Shona, with its auspicious waters, is not too deep and is adorned with sandbanks; by which way, Brahman, shall we cross it?
एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण विश्वामित्रोऽब्रवीदिदम्। एष पन्था मयोद्दिष्टो येन यान्ति महर्षय:।।1.35.5।।
Meaning
So addressed by Rama, Vishvamitra replied: this is the path I have marked out, the one by which the great sages travel.
एवमुक्ता महर्षयो विश्वामित्रेण धीमता। पश्यन्तस्ते प्रयाता वै वनानि विविधानि च।।1.35.6।।
Meaning
So addressed by the wise Vishvamitra, the great sages went on their way, beholding various forests.
ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं गतेऽर्धदिवसे तदा। जाह्नवीं सरितां श्रेष्ठां ददृशुर्मुनिसेविताम्।।1.35.7।।
Meaning
Having traveled a long way, when half the day had passed, they beheld the sage-cherished Jahnavi, foremost of rivers.
तां दृष्ट्वा पुण्यसलिलां हंससारससेविताम्। बभूवुर्मुदिता स्सर्वे मुनयस्सह राघवा:।।1.35.8।।
Meaning
Seeing her holy waters graced with swans and saras cranes, all the sages together with the two Raghavas were delighted.
तस्यास्तीरे ततश्चक्रुस्त आवासपरिग्रहम्। ततस्स्नात्वा यथान्यायं सन्तर्प्य पितृदेवता:।।1.35.9।। हुत्वा चैवाग्निहोत्राणि प्राश्य चामृतवद्धवि:। विविशुर्जाह्नवीतीरे शुचौ मुदितमानसा:।।1.35.10।। विश्वामित्रं महात्मानं परिवार्य समन्तत:।
Meaning
They made camp on her bank, then bathed as prescribed and offered water to ancestors and gods; having poured fire-oblations and partaken of the nectar-like offerings, they settled joyfully on the pure bank of the Jahnavi, gathering all around the great-souled Vishvamitra.
अथ तत्र तदा रामो विश्वामित्रमथाब्रवीत्।।1.35.11।। भगवन् श्रोतुमिच्छामि गङ्गां त्रिपथगां नदीम्। त्रैलोक्यं कथमाक्रम्य गता नदनदीपतिम्।।1.35.12।।
Meaning
Then Rama said to Vishvamitra: Blessed one, I wish to hear about the Ganga, river of three courses — how, pervading the three worlds, has she reached the lord of rivers, the ocean?