10/11/2025
🌊 The Descent of River
Long ago, King Bhagirath of the Ikshvaku dynasty performed severe penance to bring the holy river Ganga down from heaven to earth. His ancestors had been turned to ashes due to a curse, and only the sacred waters of Ganga could purify their souls and grant them salvation.
Moved by Bhagirath’s devotion, Mother Ganga agreed to descend. But she warned that the force of her fall from heaven would be so great that it could shatter the earth. Only one divine being had the strength to bear her — Lord Shiva, the Mahadeva.
Bhagirath then began a deep meditation to please Shiva. After years of austerities, Shiva appeared before him and agreed to hold Ganga in his matted locks. When Ganga descended proudly from heaven, she wanted to test Shiva’s strength — but the mighty Lord caught her in his jata (hair) and trapped her there.
For days, the river struggled in his hair, unable to find a way out. When Bhagirath humbly prayed again, Shiva released her gently — allowing Ganga to flow in gentle streams to the earth, forming the sacred river we know today as the Ganga.
As she followed Bhagirath, washing away all impurities, she purified the ashes of his ancestors. Since then, Ganga has been known as “Bhagirathi”, in honor of his devotion.
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🌺 Moral and Significance
This story symbolizes the power of devotion (bhakti) and humility. Ganga’s descent represents divine grace flowing through Shiva — the destroyer of pride and the giver of liberation. It also shows that even the most powerful energy, when guided by Shiva, becomes a force for good.
