THE DEEP IMPORT AND SUPREME GREATNESS OF RIVER GANGA SHORES FOR SPIRITUAL PRACTICES OR

SADHANA

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In the Bhagwad Geeta (10/31) Lord Shri Krishna says: “Srotasamasmi Jahnavi”. It means that among all
rivers I am Bhagirathi River Ganga (also called Jahnvi).

In the Bhagwad Geeta (11/16) Lord Shri Krishna says: “Tirthanam srotasam ganga”. It means that
amongst Tirthas or pilgrim spots River Ganga reigns supreme.

By itself the deep import of River Ganga from the mundane standpoint too is no less. Yet its root
importance is heavenly and spiritual in nature. Via Ganga waters the thirst of so many humans and other
creatures, so much land oozes with lush greenery, so many vegetables, flowers etc bloom forth due to
its pure waters and this is known to all. Everyone believes that thousands and millions of humans and
lives of birds-beasts depends on River Ganga waters. Lest River Ganga had not manifested on earth from
heaven then that land seen to be lush green everywhere, where innumerable humans, birds, beasts etc
dwelling joyfully would have appeared very differently today. In fact this land would have been akin to a
graveyard reeking with eerie fear. In that land where flows by River Ganga not only has it given very
important basis for sustaining life to people dwelling in its vicinity but that it has given a lot to even
people dwelling far away from it. The grandeur over here by spreading out to far off places has
increased the wealth, prosperity etc of entire India. If we fill a vessel with water and place it on a stive
for heating then even though the fire touches only a small portion of the vessel yet the water getting
heated inside helps spread the heat all over the vessel within. Similarly grandeur created from the
presence of River Ganga not only renders prosperous our country India but that the entire world
benefits from it. The wood from dense jungles present on River Ganga shores transported to every nook
and corner of the country fulfills requirement of house construction, wooden carvings etc. Food growing
in fertile soil here is so great in measure that after fulfilling local dietary needs excess measure of it
remains behind. And thus when transported to regions far away it appeases the hunger of so many
more people. There are so many herbs (Jadi-Butis) like Brahmi etc that grow in River Ganga. It is well
nigh difficult to gauge the amount of financial benefits accrued by humans via River Ganga.

From the health standpoint even modern scientists and doctors are wonderstruck at the benefits
attainined from River Ganga waters. On chemical analysis done it is found that its water has copper,
gold, mercury and other minerals in an aptly proportionate manner. Thus if it is used it works akin to a
medicinal cure. It helps in increasing good health. It stops our health from deteriorating and works like a
precious medicine in rendering diseased patients healthy. There are been many patients who have spent
huge amounts of cash for curing their diseases yet have failed to get cured. And then when they
regularly drank River Ganga waters their disease got cured. The only cure for leprosy is said to be River
Ganga waters. Ancient era Ayurveda doctors would send leprosy patients to the shores of River Ganga
waters and ask them to drink it regularly. Thus the results seen were great. But today since a lot of
urine, feces etc enters these waters that specialty of River Ganga waters has diminished a lot. But
although benefits are not so much as in previous eras yet today we see a fair number of leprosy patients
dwelling on River Ganga banks.

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River Ganga waters are known to cure diseases like chronic bowel disorders, edema, swelling, wind
based diseases, breathing problems, epilepsy, heart ailments, blood pressure, urine problems, sperm
and ovum disorders etc. Of course more or less ir benefits other disease cures too. If River Ganga water
is kept in a bottle or vessel for a long time it never gets tainted. This quality is not present in waters of
any other river the world over. The reason why River Ganga water does not get tainted is that it
possesses the capacity to destroy germs, microbes etc that taint water. Once, leading doctors conducted
research by placing some water containing microbes that cause dysentery in a vessel that contained
River Ganga water. They were surprised to note that River Ganga water destroyed microbes that cause
dysentery and that River Ganga water did not become toxic. Lest River Ganga water had not possessed
this quality then since daily thousands of tons of feces/urine that enters it would have rendered its
waters toxic. Thus if anyone drank this water they would start becoming sick. But so far this has not
happened and that River Ganga water is as pure as ever. Yet these principles in River Ganga water that
can destroy microbes can diminish since so much dirt and rubbish is thrown into it day in and day out.
Thus its power to increase good health too depletes. Today only that River Ganga water is called useful
that is available in those parts of the Himalaya Mountains where not much urine, feces, rubbish etc
mixes in its waters. If only the Indian Govt. pays due attention to opening a health center in these
Himalaya Mountain regions along the banks of River Ganga then patients shall benefit not only
physically but that their spiritual health too shall become sound.

Every object of the world has 3 levels and they are:

1) Gross

2) Subtle

3) Causal

Those qualities or benefits noted from the external standpoint are generally gross in nature. Those
benefits proved via modern research and scientific applications are subtle and those benefits that are
seen and understood by Yogis that are spiritual seers/Self Realized/subtle visionaries using their subtle
divine eye are causal in nature. From the gross standpoint Tulsi or basil plant is green to look at. From
the subtle standpoint it is known to possess the capacity to ward off fever and calm down other
diseases. Yet if its causal nature is researched into one finds that it possesses such gigantic measure of
Sattvik spiritual principles that if we grow it on our doorstep and make use of it our bodily activities very
naturally bloom forth with sacred purity. Hence it is zestfully used in religious and spiritual applications.
The same holds true for the cow. From the gross standpoint milk is so full of life force/Prana Energy that
no other material the world over can compare with it. From the causal standpoint its particles drip with
divinity and if one dwells in its proximity divine qualities, religious bent of mind, great behavior and
activities augment n fold. Akin to Tulsi or basil plant and cow every material has its own gross and causal
stature. In accordance with it its qualities are discerned. From the gross standpoint in onions and garlic
apart from a bit of bad smell only qualities oozes. Yet from causal standpoint it is Tamas (inertia,
indolence etc) in nature only. Those who use it reek with sexual passion and anger and hence it is
advised to avoid these.

Even River Ganga from the gross standpoint is but a useful river from the financial benefit viewpoint. As
far as the subtle standpoint is concerned it has a special quality of increasing our good health yet from
the causal standpoint its deep import and great stature is infinite in measure. Its gurgling sound purifies
our ears, by visualizing it the bad desires in our eyes are warded off, by bathing and drinking it the
emotions in the psyche are rendered sacred and sanctified. In every pore of humans bad
activities/thinking gathered from innumerable previous lifetimes reeks forth. When these become
actively manifest man on getting even a small chance of executing tainted acts grabs it and despite not
actually desiring deep within he perforce acts in a vile undesirable manner. Lest chains can be placed on
these activities based on previous lifetimes’ Sanskars or psychic imprints man can save him from sinning
in a big way.

In the Mahatmya or deep import of River Ganga at many places its quality of destroying sins has been
detailed. Its connotation is but these psychic tainted activities that on getting a luscious chance like an
allurement perforce get pushed to the path of vileness and tainted unethical activities. Hence living in
close proximity to River Ganga is akin to placing a powerful control on sinning. In the Mahatmya or deep
import of River Ganga the root principle of destroying sins is this powerful control.

Many people think that if we bathe in River Ganga we shall not have to face the dire results of past
misdeeds but know that this is erroneous thinking on their part. Man perforce has to face results of past
good deeds or misdeeds and that via bathing or other rites we cannot stop them from bearing good or
bad results. Ordinarily one has to face results of every deeds executed whether good or bad. Yet if we
wish to get liberated from them the only recourse is to undergo difficult austerities that aid in atoning
for sins carried out by us. A criminal definitely goes to jail but if this criminal accepts fully his mistake
and confesses his sinful act, if he returns all that he has amassed illegally and voluntarily gets ready to
undergo punishment meted out by judges in a court of law, he may get released from jail. For example
Gopal robbed Ghanshyam. A few days later Gopal repented truly and became wiser. He realized the
terrible nature of robbery. Now Gopal yearns to get liberated from sinning thus. He sought guidance
from his inner soul. He hence went to meet Ghanshyam. He admitted his crime to Ghanshyam. He
returned the robbed materials to Ghanshyam. Further instead of undergoing 6 months imprisonment in
jail as per the court’s verdict he was ready to work at Ghanshyam’s house akin to a prisoner without
getting any payment for labor done. Also Gopal vowed never to rob anyone again in future. Definitely
under such circumstances Ghanshyam feels pity for Gopal and shall respect Gopal’s pious attitude. Thus
instead of wrath Ghanshyam shall shower affection on Gopal. Further Ghanshyam shall understand that
it shall be very difficult for Gopal to make arrangements to return expensive materials robbed by him
that he immediately made use of and got depleted. Seeing this possibly Ghanshyam shall not take much
from Gopal. From the humane standpoint Ghanshyam shall definitely atleast stop Gopal from doing 6
month labor at his house without taking any payment and while lovingly embracing him Ghanshyam
could say: O my friend Gopal! It is great on your part to bravely confess your misdeed and that you are
returning the robbed materials to me. Say, in today’s world, who does all this? Your magnanimity is
praiseworthy. Anyone can err yet it is only a great person who fully accepts his mistake and atones for it
deeply. You indeed are great and the bravery shown by you makes my heart dance with joy. Hence I
cannot keep you as a prisoner in my house for 6 months. Not only do I forgive you but that I accept you
as my revered friend. Let us affectionately embrace each other and henceforth live as true lifelong
friends.

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In the above example, in true repentance for misdeeds done, curses and anger emerging in the mind of
the victim calm down a great deal. Even a judge does not have to cogitate a lot as to what type of
punishment to mete out. Scriptural seers have given atonements for all those sinful acts that have
already been done and whose punishment has definitely to be endured. On the basis of these
atonements man can reform himself and endure its punishment in the form of austerities. Atonement is
the only solution for those sins that have already been executed that can be faced more easily on River
Ganga shores. Yet while describing the deep import of River Ganga scriptural seers have detailed
destruction of those sins that are bad psychic imprints or Kusanskars. These are counted amongst
mental sins only and stopping their onrush in the psyche is akin to destroying potential sins of future
times. Thus sins of many past lifetimes get destroyed. The gist of this is that those bad psychic imprints
or Kusanskars of many past lifetimes get destroyed that are the real creators of sinful actions.

Due to close proximity to River Ganga there are many scriptural based proof of destruction of sins. In
the Padma Puran (Srishti Khand; Chapters 60/29/43) there are many verses quoting such proof.
Following are a few examples:

Gangetismaranadevakshyamyatichapatakam.

Kirtanadatipapanidarshanadagurukalmasham.

MEANING: By merely remembering the name Ganga sins, by singing hymns of River Ganga execessive
sins and Darshan or vision of River Ganga extremely ghastly sins get destroyed.
Snanatapanacchajahnvyanpitrunantapanattatha.

Mahapatakabrindanikshyamyantidineydiney.

MEANING: By bathing, drinking water and offering Tarpan rites to Pitrus or departed ancestors in River
Ganga each day the measure of ghastly sins keep diminishing.

Agninadahyatetulamtrinamshushkamakshanadyatha.

Tathagangajalasparshatapunsapapamdahetakshanat.

MEANING: Just as due to contacting fire cotton and dry grass burn to ashes in a flash, similarly when
man touches River Ganga waters in one moment all his sins burn to naught.

Tapobhirbahubhiryajnairvratairnanavidhaistatha.

Purudanairgatiryachagangasansevatanchasa.

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MEANING: By using River Ganga waters man can attain this very benefits that are accrued via
austerities, performing so many Yajnas, various types of Vratas or spiritual vows and giving a lot of
material wealth in charity.
Tyajantipitaramputrahapriyampalyahasuhrudganaha.

Anyechabandhavahasarvegangatunapirityajet.

MEANING: A father his son, a wife her husband, a relative his kin and other people leave their beloveds
yet River Ganga never leaves her beloved devotees in the lurch.

Vishnupadabjasambhutegangetripathagamini.

Dharmadravetivikhyatepapameharajahnvi.

MEANING: O River Ganga! Since you are the sacred waters that have washed the feet of Lord Vishnu you
are supremely pure and since you travel in all 3 Lokas or worlds you are called Tripath Gamini. Your
water represents righteousness and true religion and hence you are well known as Dharmadevi. O
Revered Jahnvi! Please destroy my sins.

Vishnupadaprasutasivaishnavivishnupujita.

Trahimamenasastasmadajanmamaranantikat.

MEANING: O River Ganga! You have manifested from the hallowed feet of Lord Vishnu. You are honored
by Lord Vishnu and hence called Vaishnavi. Please do protect me from sins right from birth to death.
Shradhadhadharmasampurneshrimatarajasachate.

Amritenamadevibhagirathipunihimam.

MEANING: O Goddess Bhagirathi overflowing with righteousness! Please render me sanctified by

imbuing me with deep faith via your nectarine waters and beautiful dust of your sacred feet.

Gangagangetiyobruyadyojanananshatairapi.

Muchyatesarvapapebhyovishnulokamsagacchati.

MEANING: If a person chants aloud ‘Ganga-Ganga’ even hundreds of yards away from River Ganga gets
liberated from all sins and enters the abode of Lord Vishnu.

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Pathayajnaparaihasarvairmantrahomasurarchanaiha.

Sagatirnabhavejjantorgangasamsevayachaya.

MEANING: Even if a creature does a lot of scriptural reading, Yajnas, Mantra chanting, Homa, worship of
gods etc he does not get that material and spiritual benefit got on drinking, bathing etc in River Ganga
waters.

Visheshatkalikalechagangamokshapradanrinam.
Kricchracchakshinasatvanamantahapunyasambhavaha.

MEANING: Especially in this Kaliyuga or Dark Era it is River Ganga (one that bestows salvation or
Moksha) that aids man devoid of Sattvaguna (pious mind) from getting liberation from all difficulties. By
using River Ganga devotedly innumerable pious merits (Punya) manifest in our life.

Punati kirtita papam drishta bhadram prayacchati.

Avgadha cha pita cha punatyasaptam.

MEANING: By merely chanting the name ‘Ganga’ it washes off our sins. If we have its holy Darshan 7
generations of ours get sanctified.

Na gangasadrisham tirtham na devaha keshavatparaha.

Brahmanebhyaha param nasty evamah pitamaha.

MEANING: Brahmaji the creator says that there is no greater Tirtha or pilgrim spot than River Ganga, no
greater deity than Lord Vishnu and no one worth revering more than Brahmins.

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Tirthanantuparamtirthanadinamuttamanadi.

Mokshadasarvabhuranamahapatakinamapi.
MEANING: Ganga is supreme amongst all Tirthas or pilgrim spots, supreme amongst all rivers and
amongst all methods to ward off sins it is the only one that bestows salvation or Moksha too.

Sarveshamchaivabhutanampapopahatachetasam.

Gatimanveshamananastigangasamagatihi.

MEANING: If one’s psyche is tainted with sins there is no other recourse but taking aid of River Ganga be
it humans or other creatures.

Pavitranampavitramyamangalanamchamangalam.

Maheshwarashirobhrashtasarvapapaharashubha.

MEANING: River Ganga traveling from the holy scalp of Lord Shankar wards off all our sins and bestows
welfare too. It sanctifies anything that sanctifies other things and is very auspicious for materials that
bestow good merits.

It has been said:

Aushadhi jagnvi toyam vaidyo narayanaha harihi.

MEANING: The medicine that heals spiritual diseases is River Ganga and the doctor of these patients is
Lord Narayana i.e. Almighty God. It is due to his grace that inner taints and sins get destroyed. Sinful
thinking and tendencies in a way is a type of spiritual disease and ailment. It cannot be cured via
mundane methods but that while residing on River Ganga shores one must zealously pray to Lord
Narayana i.e. Almighty God.

AUTHOR: Shriram Sharma Acharya founder of the International Gayatri Family was a great Yogi seer and
incarnation of God who wrote volumes of scientific literature mainly on spiritual subjects for world
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