THE STORY OF "BHAGIRATHI"

THE STORY OF “BHAGIRATHI”

According to legend it was Bhagiratha, son of the great king Dilipa who brought river Ganga to earth! His father and grandfather tried their best to get the river to earth but failed. His ancestors who angered the renowned sage Kapila were reduced to ashes! To get them a place in ‘Pitru Loka' river Ganga had to be brought down to earth. It was the indefatigable effort of Bhagiratha

that made it possible for river Ganga to arrive on earth from heaven! He was fired with the zeal and obligation for his ancestors and performed severe penance meditating on the river. Pleased with his devotion and commitment Ganga presented herself before Bhagiratha. He was happy at her presence. He reminded her how she took birth from the sacred feet of Lord Vishnu when as Vamana he took Viswarupa! Emperor Bali had then performed abhishekam to the lotus feet of the Lord with the water from his kamandalu! That water became river ‘Mandakini’ and called  ‘Vishnupadi!’ also!

Goddess Ganga asked why he performed such a severe tapas. Bhagiratha told her about the fate of his ancestors and how they can attain Pitru Loka by her touch! While agreeing to his desire, she said that she would be descending to earth with terrific speed and reach the nether world-- patala loka!’ Then all his efforts would be in vain! She was reluctant to come down to earth as she would be polluted when sinners and others bathe in her waters! Bhagiratha said that she would be purified when great saints, sages and seers take bath in her waters. He said that only Lord Siva could control the speed of descending Ganga and that he would request the Lord to help him! Goddess Ganga agreed to descend on the head of Lord Siva first! With redoubled energy once again Bhagiratha performed penance propitiating Lord Siva! When the Lord appeared Bhagiratha explained his aim and how his ancestors could reach ‘Pitru Loka'. He requested the Lord to receive the speeding Goddess Ganga in his matted locks and release her  slowly later so that she could follow him!

Lord Siva stood firm with raised chest and with both hands on the back with his ‘trisula’! Ganga came down with terrific speed! Creator Brahma and Indra and all the other Devas stood in utter amazement to witness the grand spectacle! Bhagiratha was extremely happy at the thought of his ancestors reaching their destined Pitru Loka'! But suddenly Ganga  became proud at the thought of Lord Siva receiving her on his head! Sensing her pride and arrogance the Lord imprisoned her in the maze of his matted locks! Ganga disappeared in the matted locks of the Lord! Bhagiratha was shocked at this and prayed to the Lord for the release of Ganga. Pleased  with Bhagiratha the Lord released Ganga slowly through a branch of his matted hair! Ganga followed Bhagiratha as he led her to the place where his ancestors were reduced to ashes by the furious look of sage Kapila. On the way the waters disturbed the penance of sage Jahnu who took the entire river into his kamandalu!! Bhagiratha had to beg his pardon for the release of water from sage Jahnu! Thus Ganga came to be called “Jahnavi!”

The water that fell in drops on earth formed into “ BinduSaras” and was called “ Sapta protsava.” It branched out into seven streams. Three streams ran towards the east, three to to the west and

the seventh followed Bhagiratha to the spot where his ancestors were reduced to ashes! As soon as the waters of river Ganga touched their ashes all the ancestors of  Bhagiratha reached ‘Pitru Loka' that was denied to them for long! Called as ‘Mandakini’ in heaven, the river came to be called as Ganga on earth! Since it was considered as the daughter of Bhagiratha, it was named BHAGIRATHI the holiest of all rivers!

Thus through the tenacity, perseverance and hard work of Bhagiratha river Ganga descended to earth! It is an inspiring story for all to work ceaselessly for the achievement of an ideal! There is no substitute for hard work in achieving our goal! impediments and obstacles would be there but we have to overcome all with faith, devotion and prayer! ancestors could not achieve in their lifetime! Let him be our role model in our life!