Post by Brad-LaSpirits on Sept 30, 2007 14:46:17 GMT -5
Descent of Ganga to Earth
According to legend, the Ganga once only flowed across the heavens. One day, an ascetic named Bhagiratha was granted a boon by Brahma for his great devotion. Bhagiratha's lineage was plagued by death, so he asked Brahma to purify the ashes of the deceased sons of Sagara so that they might "attain to Heaven", and also to grant him a son. Brahma agreed, but warned him to invoke Shiva first.
"Great is they aim," replied the grandsire, "but yhou shouldst invoke Mahadeva to receive the falling Ganga, for the earth may not susstain her. None but he who sways the trident may sustain her fall."
Bhagiratha worshipped Shiva for a year before he agreed to the task.
Then Ganga, in mighty torrent, cast herself down from Heaven on to Shiva's gracious head, thinking in her pride: "I shall sweep away the Great God in my waters, down to the nether regions." But when Ganga fell on Shiva's tangled locks she might not even reach the earth, but wantered there unable to escape for many a long year.
Shiva finally let her reach earth after several years, and she filled the land with water until she reached the Ocean. Bhagiratha's family line was then purified by her waters and "attained to Heaven".
Ganga As Shiva's Second Wife
Another legend describes Ganga as Siva's second wife whom he wore in his hair. Having a second wife flowing though Siva's hair was a major point of contention for his co-wife, Parvati/Uma, and her angst shows up in a number of poems.
"Just because I allow the river of the gods, Ganga, in your tangled hair, younow have her frolicking onto your ears and soon you will even have her istting in your lap. You cheat!" Angrily Parvati the Daughter of the mountain, acused him.- The Rebuilding of Somanatha Temple
"You hear that I'm afraid of my co-wife?
Suradhuni loves me more than you do!
From her perch in Siva's matted hair
She sees how he holds me
In his heart.
Who else is so lucky to have such a co-wife?
- Sarat-kamal-mukhe
According to legend, the Ganga once only flowed across the heavens. One day, an ascetic named Bhagiratha was granted a boon by Brahma for his great devotion. Bhagiratha's lineage was plagued by death, so he asked Brahma to purify the ashes of the deceased sons of Sagara so that they might "attain to Heaven", and also to grant him a son. Brahma agreed, but warned him to invoke Shiva first.
"Great is they aim," replied the grandsire, "but yhou shouldst invoke Mahadeva to receive the falling Ganga, for the earth may not susstain her. None but he who sways the trident may sustain her fall."
Bhagiratha worshipped Shiva for a year before he agreed to the task.
Then Ganga, in mighty torrent, cast herself down from Heaven on to Shiva's gracious head, thinking in her pride: "I shall sweep away the Great God in my waters, down to the nether regions." But when Ganga fell on Shiva's tangled locks she might not even reach the earth, but wantered there unable to escape for many a long year.
Shiva finally let her reach earth after several years, and she filled the land with water until she reached the Ocean. Bhagiratha's family line was then purified by her waters and "attained to Heaven".
Ganga As Shiva's Second Wife
Another legend describes Ganga as Siva's second wife whom he wore in his hair. Having a second wife flowing though Siva's hair was a major point of contention for his co-wife, Parvati/Uma, and her angst shows up in a number of poems.
"Just because I allow the river of the gods, Ganga, in your tangled hair, younow have her frolicking onto your ears and soon you will even have her istting in your lap. You cheat!" Angrily Parvati the Daughter of the mountain, acused him.- The Rebuilding of Somanatha Temple
"You hear that I'm afraid of my co-wife?
Suradhuni loves me more than you do!
From her perch in Siva's matted hair
She sees how he holds me
In his heart.
Who else is so lucky to have such a co-wife?
- Sarat-kamal-mukhe