Descent of Ganga
This stotram describes the divine descent of the Ganga river, emphasizing its significance in Hindu spirituality.
श्रीशुक उवाच तत्र भगवतः साक्षाद्यज्ञलिङ्गस्य विष्णोर्विक्रमतो वामपादाङ्गुष्ठनख निर्भिन्नोर्ध्वाण्डकटाह विवरेणान्तःप्रविष्टा या बाह्यजलधारा
Shriishuka Uvaaca Tatra Bhagavatah Saakssaad-Yajnya-Linggasya Vissnnor-Vikramato Vaama-Paada-Anggussttha-Nakha Nirbhinnordhva-Anndda-Kattaaha Vivarenna-Antah-Pravissttaa Yaa Baahya-Jaladhaaraa
Shri Shuka spoke: There, from the divine form of Yajnalinga, the mighty Vishnu, the waters of Ganga descend, piercing through the firmament, entering the earthly realm like a stream of celestial nectar.
तच्चरणपङ्कजावनेजन अरुणकिञ्जल्कोपरञ्जित अखिलजगदघमलापहा उपस्पर्शनामला साक्षाद्भगवत्पदी इति अनुपलक्षितवचः
Tac-Caranna-Pangkaja-Avanejana Arunna-Kin.jalkoparan.jita Akhila-Jagad-Agha-Mala-Apahaa Upasparshana-Amalaa Saakssaad-Bhagavat-Padii Iti Anupalakssita-Vacah
In the lotus of His feet, the pure waters, adorned with the hue of dawn, cleanse the sins of the entire universe, revealing the sacred path of the Lord, as spoken by the wise.
अभिधीयमाना अतिमहता कालेन युगसहस्रोपलक्षणेन दिवो मूर्धन्यवततार यत्तद्विष्णुपदमाहुः ॥५
.
As time flows, marked by countless ages, the divine abode of Vishnu shines above, a beacon of light, revered as the ultimate refuge.
यत्र ह वाव वीरव्रत औत्तानपादिः परमभागवतः अस्मत्कुलदेवताचरणारविन्दोदकमिति यामनुसवनमुत्कृष्यमाण भगवद्भक्तियोगेन दृढं क्लिद्यमानान्तर्हृदय औत्कण्ठ्यविवश
Yatra Ha Vaava Viiravrata Auttaanapaadih Parama-Bhaagavatah Asmat-Kuladevataa-Caranna-Aravindodakam-Iti Yaam-Anusavanam-Utkrssyamaanna Bhagavad-Bhakti-Yogena Drddham Klidyamaana-Antar-Hrdaya Autkanntthya-Vivasha
There, the valorous Outtanapada, the supreme devotee, draws forth the sacred waters from the lotus feet of our family deity, filling the heart with devotion, drenched in longing.
अमीलितलोचनयुगल कुड्मलविगलितामलबाष्पकलया अभिव्यज्यमान रोमपुलककुलकः अधुनापि परमादरेण शिरसा विभर्ति ॥५
.
With eyes closed, adorned with tears of pure devotion, the hair stands on end in reverence, as he bows his head in utmost humility.
ततः सप्त ऋषयस्तत्प्रभावाभिज्ञा यां ननु तपस_आत्यन्तिकी सिद्धिरेतावती भगवति सर्वात्मनि
Tatah Sapta Rssayas-Tat-Prabhaava-Abhijnyaa Yaam Nanu Tapasa_Aatyantikii Siddhir-Etaavatii Bhagavati Sarvaatmani
Then, the seven sages, aware of the divine power, realized that such is the ultimate attainment through unwavering penance, O Goddess of all souls.
वासुदेवेऽनुपरत भक्तियोगलाभेनैव उपेक्षितान्यार्थात्मगतयो मुक्तिमिवागतां मुमुक्षव इव सबहुमानमद्यापि जटाजूटैरुद्वहन्ति ॥५
.
In Vasudeva, through the grace of devotion, those who are overlooked attain liberation, as if they were honored by the very essence of existence, even now carried by the matted locks of the ascetics.
ततोऽनेकसहस्रकोटिविमानानीकसङ्कुलदेवयानेन अवतरन्तीन्दुमण्डलमावार्य ब्रह्मसदने निपतति ॥५
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Then, countless celestial chariots, filled with divine beings, descend, enveloping the moonlit realm, and land in the abode of Brahma.
तत्र चतुर्धा भिद्यमाना चतुर्भिनामभिश्चतुर्दिशमभिस्पन्दन्ती नदनदीपतिमेवाभिनिविशति सीतालकनन्दाचक्षुर्भद्रेति ॥५
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There, the river, divided into four, flows in four directions, vibrating with the essence of the river goddess, merging into the divine.
सीता तु ब्रह्मसदनात्केसराचलादिगिरिशिखरेभ्यो ऽधोऽधः प्रस्रवन्ती गन्धमादनमूर्धसु पतित्वान्तरेण भद्राश्ववर्षं प्राच्यां दिशि क्षारसमुद्रमभिप्रविशति ॥५
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From the abode of Brahma, the Ganga flows down from the peaks of the mountains, cascading through the fragrant lands, entering the eastern sea of salt.
एवं माल्यवच्छिखरान्निष्पतन्ती ततो ऽनुपरतवेगा केतुमालामभि चक्षुः प्रतीच्यां दिशि सरित्पतिं प्रविशति ॥५
.
Thus, like a garland of flowers, it flows with unyielding speed, entering the river's lord in the western direction.
भद्रा चोत्तरतो मेरुशिरसो निपतिता गिरिशिखराद्गिरिशिखरमतिहाय शृङ्गवतः शृङ्गादवस्यन्दमाना उत्तरांस्तु कुरूनभित उदीच्यां दिशि जलधिमभिप्रविशति ॥५
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Blessed is she, who descends from the peak of Meru, flowing from the mountain's crest, she enters the ocean in the northern direction, unimpeded.
तथैवालकनन्दा दक्षिणेन ब्रह्मसदनाद्बहूनि गिरिकूटान्यतिक्रम्य हेमकूटाद्धैमकूटान्यतिरभसतररंहसा लुठयन्ती भारतमभिवर्षं दक्षिणस्यां दिशि जलधिमभिप्रविशति यस्यां स्नानार्थं चागच्छतः पुंसः पदे पदेऽश्वमेध राजसूयादीनां फलं न दुर्लभमिति ॥५
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Thus, the river Alakananda, flowing from the abode of Brahma, traverses many mountain peaks, and in the southern direction, it enters the ocean, where those who bathe are granted the fruits of Ashvamedha and Rajasuya, not hard to attain.