Description of Ganga
The Description of Ganga is a hymn that extols the virtues and sacredness of the Ganga river, invoking its purifying qualities and blessings.
तत्र त्रिपथगां दिव्यां शीततोयामशैवलाम् । ददर्श राघवो गङ्गा रम्यामृषिनिषेविताम् ॥२
.
There, the divine Ganga flows, a river of cool, pure waters, adored by sages, seen by Raghava, a sight most enchanting.
आश्रमैरविदूरस्थैः श्रीमद्भिः समलंकृताम् । कालेऽप्सरोभिर्हृष्टाभिः सेविताम्भोह्रदां शिवाम् ॥२
.
Adorned by the ashrams not far away, graced by the revered, she is served by joyful celestial maidens, a river of auspiciousness.
देवदानवगन्धर्वैः किंनरैरुपशोभिताम् । नागगन्धर्वपत्नीभिः सेवितां सततं शिवाम् ॥२
.
She is embellished by gods, demons, and celestial beings, ever honored by the kin of serpents and the wives of divine beings.
देवाक्रीडशताकीर्णां देवोद्यानयुतां नदीम् । देवार्थमाकाशगतां विख्यातां देवपद्मिनीम् ॥२
.
A river filled with divine play, surrounded by heavenly gardens, renowned as the celestial lotus, she flows towards the heavens.
जलाघाताट्टहासोग्रां फेननिर्मलहासिनीम् । क्वचिद् वेणीकृत जलां क्वचिदावर्तशोभिताम् ॥२
.
With the splashes of water and laughter bright, she sparkles like foam, sometimes adorned with the notes of a flute, at times graced by whirlpools.
क्वाचित् स्थिमितगम्भीरां क्वचिद् वेगसमाकुलाम् । क्वचिद् गम्भीर निर्घोषां क्वचिद् भैरवनिःस्वनाम् ॥२
.
At times deep and tranquil, at times swift and tumultuous, she roars with a mighty sound, echoing the calls of Bhairava.
देवसंघाप्लुतजलां निर्मलोत्पलसंकुलाम् । क्वचिदाभोगपुलिनां क्वचिन्निर्मलवालुकाम् ॥२
.
She is filled with the waters of divine assemblies, adorned with pure lotuses, sometimes lined with delightful banks, at times with pristine sands.
हंससारससंघुष्टां चक्रवाकोपशोभिताम् । सदामत्तैश्च विहगैरभिपन्नामनिन्दिताम् ॥२
.
Embraced by swans and cranes, she is beautified by the presence of the chakravaka, always praised by intoxicated birds.
क्वचित् तीररुहैर्वृक्षैर्मालाभिरिव शोभिताम् । क्वचित् फुल्लोत्पलच्छन्नां क्वचित् पद्मवनाकुलाम् ॥२
.
At times graced by trees along the banks, adorned like a garland, sometimes hidden beneath blooming lotuses, at times a forest of lotuses.
क्वचित् कुमुदखण्डैश्च कुड्मलैरुपशोभिताम् । नानापुष्परजोध्वस्तां समदामिव च क्वचित् ॥२
.
Sometimes adorned with clusters of water lilies, she is embellished with various fragrant flowers, like a beautiful maiden.
व्यपेतमलसंघातां मणिनिर्मलदर्शनाम् । दिशागजैर्वनगजैर्मत्तैश्च वरवारणैः ॥२
.
Free from impurities, she reveals her crystal-clear form, surrounded by elephants of the directions and forest elephants, all in their majestic splendor.
देवराजोपवाह्यैश्च संनादितवनान्तराम् । प्रमदामिव यत्नेन भूषितां भूषणोत्तमैः ॥२
.
Adorned with the finest jewels, she is celebrated by the divine kings, echoing through the forest with her melodious sounds.
फलपुष्पैः किसलयैर्वृतां गुल्मैर्द्विजैस्तथा । विष्णुपादच्युतां दिव्यामपापां पापनाशिनीम् ॥२
.
Enveloped by fruits and flowers, surrounded by tender shoots, she is the divine, sin-destroying river, fallen from Vishnu's feet.
शिंशुमारैश्च नक्रैश्च भुजङ्गैश्च समन्विताम् । शंकरस्य जटाजूटाद् भ्रष्टां सागरतेजसा ॥२
.
Accompanied by fish and serpents, she is blessed by the matted locks of Shankara, illuminated by the ocean's radiance.
समुद्रमहिषीं गङ्गा सारसक्रौञ्चनादिताम् । आससाद महाबाहुः शृङ्गवेरपुरं प्रति ॥२
.
The Ganga, the queen of the ocean, resounding with the cries of cranes, approached the mighty-armed one towards Shringaverapura.
तामूर्मिकलिलावर्तामन्ववेक्ष्य महारथः । सुमन्त्रमब्रवीत् सूतमिहैवाद्य वसामहे ॥२
.
Observing her swirling currents, the great charioteer spoke, 'Let us dwell here today, O Soot, by this river.'
अविदूरादयं नद्या बहुपुष्पप्रवालवान् । सुमहानिङ्गुदीवृक्षो वसामोऽत्रैव सारथे ॥२
.
Not far from this river, abundant with flowers and leaves, stands a great fig tree, where we shall reside.
प्रेक्षामि सरितां श्रेष्ठां सम्मान्यसलिलां शिवाम् । देवमानवगन्धर्वमृगपन्नगपक्षिणाम् ॥२
.
I behold the supreme river, honored and pure, the Ganga, revered by gods, humans, celestial beings, and all creatures.