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Mother Ganga Mantra for Purity – The River Goddess of the Holy Ganges

Ganga mantra lyrics in Sanskrit:

”Aum Tri-patha-gaamini Vidmahe
Rudra-pathnyai Cha Dhimahee
Thanno Ganga Prachodayath.”

More Information

According to Hindu Mythology, Mother Ganga is considered to be the celestial creature of heaven that descends on Earth to purify the sins of human beings.

On Earth, Ganga or Ganges originates from the Gaumukha, Gangotri glacier in the Indian Himalayas, at 4,100 meters above sea level, and flows 2,525 km across northern India before meeting the Bay of Bengal in eastern India and Bangladesh.

The Ganges has its basin area spread along 11 north Indian states.

Situated on the banks of river Ganges, Varanasi is considered by some to be the holiest city in Hinduism, and it is acknowledged as one of the holy pilgrimages of India.

Moreover, it is considered that Mother Ganga grants blessings of the highest order. Individuals come from far and near to immerse the ashes of their kin in the waters of Ganges, with a belief that the ashes would go to heaven.

Not only does the Ganges hold this sacred quality, but it is able to provide water and agricultural food for at least 350 million people.

Besides being a sacred river, Mother Ganga is also worshiped as a deity in Hinduism and politely referred to as ”Ganga Maiya” (Mother Ganga) or ”Gangaji”.

Furthermore, the land over which the river flows is considered as hallowed ground. In addition, it is believed that those who die around this river reach the heavenly abode with all their sins (negative karma) washed away.

According to Hindu Mythology, Gangaji is the daughter of Lord Brahma (the first god in the Hindu triumvirate), born from his kamandala when He was washing the feet of Vamana. Goddess Ganga took the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagiratha’s predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries.

Lord Shiva (one of the five primary forms of God and the supreme beings within Shaivism) received into his matted locks to minimize the immense impact of her fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her legendary source.

In Valmiki Ramayana (ancient Indian epic poem), the River Goddess is portrayed as the daughter of Queen Menaka and King Himavat.

She is the sister of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva’s consort. The name of ”Ganga” appears only twice in the Rig Veda, and it was only later that the Goddess assumed great importance as a goddess.

The River Goddess of the Holy Ganges – Iconography

She is depicted as a fair-complexioned woman, wearing a white crown and sitting on a crocodile and is the only living Goddess in the Hindu pantheon.

The River Goddess holds a lute in Her left hand and a water lily in Her right hand. When She is depicted with four hands, the Goddess carries a lily, a water-pot, a rosary and has one hand in a protective mode.

Benefits Of Chanting Mother Ganga Mantra For Purity:

This is a Sanskrit mantra dedicated to Goddess Ganga who manifested herself in the material platform as the river Ganges.

Chanting this mantra with sincere devotion helps to prevent and/or recover from water-borne diseases and elevates shortage of water.

Note

Taking a bath in Ganes is considered auspicious. Hence, chanting this mantra with a sincere heart brings you the benefit of taking a bath in this river.

Image credit – Shutterstock

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