Table of Contents
Recap
The last post was on the birth of Ganga, as told by rishi Kapil to Angshuman.
Post that, Sagara, then Angshuman and subsequently his son, Dilip, tried to get Ganga down from heaven, but were unsuccessful. Dilip died childless and by Shiva’s blessings, Dilip’s wives gave birth to Bhagiratha.
Bhagiratha gets the gift of Ganga
Bhagiratha is insulted
Five years had passed. Bhagiratha was growing up to be a nice obedient boy. As the future king of Ayodhya, his education was very important. So, the queens decided he needed to be sent to a gurukul. They spoke to the guru of the kings of Ayodhya, Vashistha. The rishi agreed and Bhagiratha was sent to the rishi’s ashrama to study. There were many other children there, some from royal families and some from brahmin families. They would all come there to learn from the rishi. As children would, at that age, they would play games and also study. Bhagiratha stayed there and grew up in the ashrama.
It was Bhagiratha’s last day at the gurukul. Studies were over and the boys (well they were young men now), broke into a fight. It wasn’t a fight as such, just boys trying to wrestle. Bhagiratha was strong and was able to pin the boys down. One boy who did not like losing to the prince said, “We all know about you. No one knows who your father is.” Bhagiratha did not reply to the boy. He went to his sleeping quarter in the ashrama and lay down. The queens had been expecting Bhagiratha to come home. He was supposed to come early morning, but it was nearly midday. Where was he? The queens worried, rushed to the ashrama of Vashishta. They asked the rishi where their son was. The rishi asked them not to worry. “He had a quarrel with the boys and he is upset. He is staying away from others for now” the rishi said and pointed out to the spot where Bhagiratha was lying.
The queens rushed there and hugged the young prince. They wiped his tears and tried to console him. “Why are you sad, my child?” they asked. “Has someone hurt you? If someone has, that person will be punished. If your friends need something and you want to help them, let us know. We will make them rich. If they have boasted in front of you, we can make them beggars. If you want the prisoners freed, let us know. If you are not well, we’ll get the best physicians. Do not hide anything from us.”
Bhagiratha, who had been lying down sat up and said, “Mothers, there is nothing wrong with me physically. It is just that when we were playing, one boy called me illegitimate. He was the son of a Brahmin and I did not say anything. I did not retaliate but I felt hurt. Please answer my question. Why did he say this? Who is my father?”
The queens had not expected to hear this from their son. In that ashrama, they told Bhagiratha all that happened. They told him about Sagara, the sixty thousand sons, how rishi Kapil burnt them, story of Angshuman and then how Dilip died childless. They then said, “If someone can get Ganga down to earth, the souls of the departed ones will get salvation. After your father passed away, we got you as boon from Shiva. As you were born from two wives (bhaga), you were named Bhagiratha. You belong to the solar dynasty and you are the prince of Ayodhya.”
Bhagiratha smiled and said, “I should not be saying this, but I think my ancestors lacked insight. Otherwise, who would try and get Ganga at the prime of their age? We are talking about bringing someone from the heaven, so would little effort suffice? No. The question that needs to be asked is where Ganga can be found. Let this be known O mothers. If I hold the name Bhagiratha, I will bring Ganga down from heaven. Let me go now.”
“Do not go now. Do not leave us. We have nothing to live for. Listen to us,” the queens tried to plead with Bhagiratha. The prince was determined. He went to Vashishta and asked for his permission. The rishi instructed the prince how to proceed and taught him various mantras. When he was about to leave the ashrama, Bhagiratha’s right eye began to throb. Sensing this he said to his mothers, “See, my right eye is throbbing. This is a very good omen. I will come back to you successful.” Saying this Bhagiratha left.
Bhagiratha leaves home and prays to Indra
He then went to the Himalayas and choosing a corner he began his meditation. He first prayed to Indra. He performed severe austerities to please Indra. For years he prayed and he even gave up food. Pleased with his devotion, Indra appeared before him. He asked Bhagiratha what he wanted. Bhagiratha said, “I am Bhagiratha, son of Dilip. I was born in the family of king Sagara. Sagara’s sixty thousand sons were burnt by rishi Kapil. I want to bring Ganga down to earth. I need your blessing. Please let me know how I can bring Ganga down.”
Indra said, “If your aim is to get Ganga down, then I am helpless. I do not have the powers to help you. What can I do is tell you how to proceed. Go high up in the mountains. There worship Shiva. With his blessings you will be successful. Let me warn you. The path will not be easy. You will face many obstacles. When I see you are bringing Ganga to earth, I will clear the path for her.” Blessing Bhagiratha, Indra left.
Bhagiratha prays to Shiva and Vishnu
Bhagiratha went high up in the Himalayas. Reaching the Kailasha mountain, Bhagiratha sat at the base of the mountain and began praying. He gathered the wild thorny fruits that are used for Shiva’s worship. Along with these and the leaves of the Bilva plant, Bhagiratha began praying to Shiva. First giving up food, and then water, Bhagiratha prayed to Shiva for many years. Pleased with him, Shiva appeared and blessed him and said, “I will say this. You will be successful. Now go and worship Vishnu. He will be able to help you.”
Bhagiratha set forth to pray to Vishnu. He chose a spot near a stream and began worshipping Vishnu. He chanted the mantras millions of times in a day. During the summer months, he stood in the blazing sun. In the winters, he would submerge himself in the icy waters. While enduring the physical hardships, Bhagiratha did not allow his mind to waver. His focus remained on his purpose. His mind was absorbed in Vishnu and the goal. Moved by the prince’s persistence, Vishnu appeared before him.
Vishnu said, “O Prince, I am pleased with your devotion. Ask what you may; I will grant that.” Bhagiratha said, “Sagara's sons were burnt by Rishi Kapil’s curse. If Ganga comes and flows over their ashes, they will be liberated.”
Vishnu said, “Is that so? I am not aware of the greatness of Ganga.”
Bhagiratha reached out and grabbed Vishnu's feet and said, “If you do not let me have Ganga, then I will hold on to your lotus feet and not let go. I will die here, holding onto these.”
Ganga becomes Anghrija
Vishnu said, “I am not having Ganga with me. We need Brahma’s help. He will be able to help us. Let me go to Brahma and ask for his help.” Saying this Vishnu took Bhagiratha along with him, to meet Brahma. On the way, Vishnu made all the water in the rivers in the land of Brahma vanish. Brahma was not aware of this. Seeing Vishnu come, Brahma offered him a seat and looked for water to wash the feet of his guest. There was no water. Brahma was puzzled. He then thought of the water he was holding in his pitcher. This was the same water he had collected when Shiva had sung, causing Vishnu to melt away. He used that to wash Vishnu’s feet. As soon as he did that, Ganga got the name Vishnupadi. As Ganga had touched Vishnu’s feet, she also got the name Anghrija (born from the foot).
Vishnu then handed this water to Bhagiratha and said, “This is Ganga. Take her with you. She will come to earth with you and liberate your ancestors. Gravest of sinners will get liberated by touching the waters of Ganga. Even a drop of water is enough to purify anyone. The merit of having a bath in Ganga’s waters is beyond comprehension. Take Ganga with you and liberate your ancestors.”
As soon as Vishnu said this, the waters took the shape of a goddess. Vishnu said to her, “Ganga, go with Bhagiratha. Help him liberate his ancestors. Also wash away the sins of the people on earth.”
Ganga felt sad hearing the words of Vishnu and said, “Lord, there are numerous sinners on earth. They will come to me and after cleansing themselves, they will leave their sins with me. They will be liberated but what about me? Who will liberate me?”
Hearing this Vishnu assured her and said, “Do not worry. When a true devotee of mine has a bath in your waters, you will be freed. I love the company of my devotees and I live in them. When a true Vaishnava has a dip in the waters, you will be purified.”
Vishnu then produced a conch shell (Sankha) from the conch shell he was holding and handed that to Bhagiratha. He then said, “Go Bhagiratha. Blow the conch shell and make the environment pure. As you go blowing the shell, Ganga will follow you.”
Brahma then said to Bhagiratha, “You are truly blessed. You have succeeded in doing something which your ancestors have been trying. I am gifting you a chariot. Ride that chariot. You will be able to guide Ganga swiftly to your destination.”
Taking leave of all, Bhagiratha climbed up on the chariot and began blowing the conch shell. The chariot began moving and Ganga followed Bhagiratha. From heaven, all devas and other beings began showering flowers on Bhagiratha.
Analysis
Bhagiratha’s journey starts when his identity is questioned. It is this questioning that becomes a catalyst for his quest.
Sagara, Angshuman and Dilip did not fail. Their collective yearning took the form of Bhagiratha.
Bhagiratha starts the quest in a specific order. He first pleases Indra. Indra represents the senses. To achieve something, one must control the hurdles. Indra then warns Bhagiratha about the hurdles. This will happen in the path of sadhana. Shiva is the internal discipline and power. By pleasing Shiva, Bhagiratha becomes strong and disciplined. By giving up food and water, his body is subservient to his spiritual will. Having gained discipline, Bhagiratha then goes through the phase of total surrender. That is the stage of Salvation or Moksha that will be a gift from Vishnu.
An interesting thing is the role of Tridev here. Along with Indra, the other three have a role to play. Indra gives the direction. Shiva gives the blessing. Vishnu the river and Brahma the chariot.
There is a question on Reciprocity of Purity in this passage. Ganga asks Vishnu, who will liberate me? It is like an entity whose job is to clean is saying who will clean me? So Vishnu says I reside in my devotees, so when my devotee takes a bath, I will clean you.
Philosophical Mapping
| Element | Symbolic Representation |
|---|---|
| The Sixty Thousand Sons | The fragmented, burnt, and trapped state of the human ego. |
| The Himalayas/Kailasha | The heights of consciousness required for meditation. |
| Ganga's Descent | The flow of Knowledge into the world. |
| Blowing the Conch | The announcement of a new order and the clearing of obstacles. |
Meanings of some Names
The text provides specific etymological roots for the names of the central characters and the river itself:
- Ganga: Derived from the root gam, meaning "to go" or "to flow." In the text, she is the divine stream that follows the seeker.
- Vishnupadi: Literally meaning "She who originates from the feet of Vishnu." Brahma washes Vishnu’s feet with his pitcher water, which then becomes Ganga.
- Anghrija: This name specifically means "Born from the foot" (Anghri = foot, Ja = born). The passage notes she received this name the moment she touched Vishnu’s feet during the washing ritual.
- Sankha: Though a common noun for a conch shell, here, it represents the sacred sound that guides the flow of knowledge.
Textual Sources of this Variation
Bhagiratha receives Ganga directly from Vishnu before Shiva's intervention—differs from the more commonly known Valmiki Ramayana (where Shiva catches her first to prevent the earth from shattering).
The passage here is similar to the tales found in the Vaishnava Puranas.
The Prakriti Khanda of the Brahma Vaivarta Purana explains the origin of Ganga in a way that is similar to this. Singing causes Krishna to melt into water. It tells how Ganga resided in the pitcher of Brahma.
Narada Purana has passages like Brahma Vaivarta Purana that talk about Ganga’s origin from Vishnu. Padma Purana also refers to Ganga as Vishnupadi.
Iconography of Ganga
Ganga is said to be a beautiful goddess riding a makara - a creature depicted with the trunk of an elephant, the body of a crocodile, and the tail of a fish. As she rides a Makara, she is called "Makara-Vahini" (one who has the Makara as a vehicle). Here is what other Puranas talk about her:
Agni Purana describes the form of Ganga. A beautiful goddess with a white complexion, holding a water pot and a lotus, seated upon the Makara. Matsya Purana has sections on Vahanas (vehicles) and the Purana explains that the elephant part is strength and rain (the elephant spraying water from its trunk). The Makara is Ganga's vehicle which is different from goddess Yamuna, who rides a tortoise. The Devi Bhagavata Purana also talks about Ganga, draped in white, riding a Makara.
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