Ganga

The goddess Ganga was incarnated by Vishnu as Ganga river. She was born from the Kamandalu (water pot) of Vishnu.

Once, demon Bali threatened the gods to throw them out of heaven. The panic-stricken gods sought the help of Vishnu. Vishnu incarnated Vamana who extracted a promise from the Bali for 3 feet of land. When Vamana put his first step of foot all the earth was covered. In the second step of foot the entire heaven was also covered. As no space left either in earth or heaven the third step of foot was on the head of Bali causing his drive to Patala Loka (underground). Before Vamana putting his foot on the head Brahma had washed it in his Kamandalu (water pot) from which Ganga was born.

The pretty Ganga used to dance before the gods and saints. When Ganga was dancing a wind blew off the cloth worn by Rishi (saint) Durvas. Seeing the incident Ganga laughed. The infuriated Rishi cursed Ganga to become a river. When incarnated as river, Ganga was to become the mother of 8 Vasus as per the promise given by her to them. They sought this promise from Ganga to overcome a curse by Vashishta Muni (saint).

Once, king Sagar wished to become the emperor of the Earth. To achieve this he decided to perform an Ashwametha Yaga (sacrifice of horse in Vedic fire-ritual). Indra smelt the danger of Sagar gaining more power and decided to thwart Yaga. He stole the horse brought for the Yaga (Vedic fire-ritual) and hid under a tree where sage Kapila was under meditation.

The sons of Sagar, numbering 60,000, barring one, detected the horse. They mistook it was stolen by sage Kapila and threatened the saint. The insulted Kapila took no time to burn them to ashes through the fire emanated from his 3rd eye. The remaining one son of Sagar learnt of the incident and begged upon Kapila to release the souls of his brothers from the ashes. Saint Kapila said he has no power to release the souls and advised him to please Brahma with penances. If Brahma pleased he would release Ganga from his Kamandalu (water pot) to the earth for purifying the ashes as a requisite for getting the souls released. He undertook penances for many years but Brahma was not pleased.

After many years Bhagiratha was born to king Sagar. He was austere and disciplined. He undertook penances before the Brahma which pleased Brahma. Brahma advised him to worship Shiva and he did so. The pleased Shiva withheld Ganga by spreading his hairs in the sky in order to avoid flooding of the earth when Ganga descended on earth. Shiva released a bit of Ganga’s force with a direction to follow Bhagiratha. En-route the bit of Ganga flooded saint Janu’s Ashram (abode of saints). The infuriated saint swallowed her and released later when the saint felt pity for the Bhagiratha. The saint Kapila’s Ashram reached Ganga released the souls of Bhagiratha’s brothers.

The people who bath in Ganga get purified of their sins and Ganga herself gets purified when the Rishis (saints) bath in her.

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