Mother Ganga, flowing gracefully from the divine lotus feet of Krishna, the Supreme Lord, is revered as “patita pavani,” the celestial purifier of the fallen souls. Ganga manifests as the embodiment of purity and compassion. Through her meandering course, she graciously washes away the sins and impurities of those who seek redemption, offering them a path of spiritual rejuvenation.The ancient scriptures, enriched with divine wisdom, beautifully depict Ganga’s significance as a purifying force. This article endeavors to explore the profound verses from sacred scriptures that vividly illustrate her unparalleled purifying essence.
#1 Bhagavad Gita
pavanah pavatam asmi
ramah sastra-bhrtam aham
jhasanam makaras casmi
srotasam asmi jahnavi
(Bhagavad Gita 10.31)
–
(Krishna said) I am the wind among the purifiers, Rama among the wielders of weapons, the shark among fishes, and the Ganges among flowing rivers.
#2 Padma Purana
Krita tu Pushkaram tretayan naimishan tatha
Dvapare tu kurukshetran kalau gangan-samasrayeth
(Padma Purana)
–
During the Satya Yuga, one should seek refuge in Pushkara Tirtha, in Treta Yuga, in Naimisharanya, in Dvapara Yuga, in Kurukshetra and, and in the Kali Yuga, one should solely take shelter of Sri Ganga.
#3 Chaitanya Bhagavata
bhagavata, tulasi, gangaya, bhakta-jane caturdha vigraha krishna ei chari sane
jivanyasa karile sri-murti pujya haya janma-matra e cari ‘isvara’ vede kaya
(Chaitanya Bhagavata)
–
(Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said) Krishna manifests in four sacred forms in this world—Srimad Bhagavatam, tulasi (holy basil), Ganga (the sacred river), and the devotees. By infusing life into the Deity form of the Lord through invocation, that very form becomes worthy of worship. Nevertheless, the Vedas affirm that these four representations are the Supreme Lord Himself since the moment of their appearance.
#4 Chaitanya Charitamrita
daru brahma rupe – saksat sri purusottama
bhagirathi hana saksat ‘jala brahma’ sama
(Chaitanya Charitamrita)
–
Lord Jagannath embodies the Supreme Lord Himself, taking the form of wood, while the river Ganges manifests as the Supreme Lord in the form of water.
#5 Bhavishya Purana
Yat punyan jayte pun san darshane parama-atmanan
Tadbhobedev gangaya darshane bhakti bhavatah
(Bhavishya Purana)
–
The devout love and pious blessings one receives by beholding the Supreme Lord are equally attained by those who behold the river Ganges with a devoted heart.
#6 Brahmanda Purana
Yayi punyabahini ganga sakrid-bhakta-baga-hita
Tesang kulanam lakhantu bhayat taroyte shiva
(Brahmanda Purana)
–
By faithfully bathing in the purifying waters of Ganga, even once, Mother Ganga safeguards their descendants for hundreds of thousands of generations from the anxieties of the material world.
#7 Skanda Purana
Gandush matra panen ashwamedha phalam labhyet
Svachhandam yahpibeda-pantasya mukti karesthhita
(Skanda Purana)
–
Drinking a mere handful of Ganga water bestows the merits of performing an Ashwamedha yajna (sacrifice). Those who willingly drink from the Ganges are considered liberated souls.
Yagyadanam tapah-japyan sradhyancha surpujanam
Gangayam yatkritang sarvang koti koti gunang bhavet
(Skanda Purana)
–
Performing any sacrifices, acts of charity, austerities, chanting of holy names, last rites, or worship on the banks of the Ganges yields benefits that multiply manifold, returning millions of times over.
#8 Kurma Purana
Dashahabhyantare yasya gangatoyehasti majyati
Gangayam marane yadak tadrik phalmabapnuyat
(Kurma Purana)
–
If the ashes of a deceased person are immersed in the Ganges within ten days of their passing, they receive the blessings akin to departing in the Ganges itself. Thus, the soul attains the spiritual realm, Vaikuntha.
#9 Bhagavata Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam)
athapi yat pada nakhavasrstam
jagad virincopahrtarhanambhah
sesam punaty anyatamo mukundat
ko nama loke bhagavat padarthah
(Srimad Bhagavatam)
–
Only the Supreme Lord Himself, Sri Krishna, is truly worthy of such a name. Brahma collected the water flowing from the nails of Krishna’s lotus feet to reverently offer it to Lord Shiva as a welcoming gesture. This sacred water, known as the Ganges, purifies the entire universe, including Lord Shiva himself.
apas te ’nghry avanejanyas
tril lokan sucayo ’punan
sirasadhatta yah sarvah
svar yatah sagaratmajah
(Srimad Bhagavatam)
–
The waters of the River Ganges, having attained transcendence by bathing Your divine feet, have sanctified the three worlds. Lord Shiva reverently accepted that sacred water on his head, and by its grace, the sons of King Sagara attained heaven.