वैशम्पायन उवाच बृहस्पतिसमं बुद्ध्या क्षमया ब्रह्मणः समम्। पराक्रमे शक्रसममादित्यसमतेजसम्॥ गाङ्गेयमर्जुनेनाजौ निहतं भूरितेजसम्। भ्रातृभिः सहितोऽन्यैश्च पर्यपृच्छद् युधिष्ठिरः॥
Vaishampayana said Equal to Brihaspati in intelligence and Brahman himself in forgiveness, resembling Shakra in prowess and the Sun in energy, Bhishma the son of Ganga, of infinite might, had been defeated in battle by Arjuna. Accompanied by his brothers and many other people king, Yudhishthira asked him these questions.
शयानं वीरशयने कालाकाटिणमच्युतम्। आजग्मुर्भरतश्रेष्ठं द्रष्टुकामा महर्षयः॥
The old hero was lying on a bed coveted by heroes, in expectation of that sacred moment when he could take leave of his body. Many great Rishis had come there for seeing that foremost one of Bharata's race.
अत्रिर्वसिष्ठोऽथ भृगुः पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः। अङ्गिरागौतमोऽगस्त्यः सुमतिः सुयतात्मवान्॥ विश्वामित्र: स्थूलशिरा: संवर्तः प्रमतिर्दमः। बृहस्पत्युशनोव्यासाच्यवनः काश्यपो ध्रुवः॥ दुर्वासा जमदग्निश्च मार्कण्डेयोऽथ गालवः। भरद्वाजोऽथ रैभ्यश्च यवक्रोतस्त्रितस्तथा॥
Amongst them were Atri, Vasishtha, Bhrigu, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu. There were also Angiras, Gotama, Agastya, Sumati of well restrained soul, Vishvamitra, Sthulashiras, Samvarta, Pramati and Dama. There were also Brihaspati, Ushanas, Vyasa, Chyavana, Kashyapa, Dhruva, Durvasas, Jamadagni, Markandeya Galava, Bharadvaja, Raibhya Yavakrita and Trita.
स्थूलाक्षः शवलाक्षश्च कण्वो मेधातिथिः कृशः। नारदः पर्वतश्चैव सुधन्वाथैकतो द्विजः॥
There Sthulaksha, Shavalaksha, Kanwa, Medhatithi, Krishi, Narada, Parvata, Sudhanwan, Ekata and Dwita.
नितम्भूर्भुवनो धौम्यः शतानन्दोऽकृतव्रणः। जामदग्न्यस्तथा रामः कचश्चेत्येवमादयः॥
There also Nitambhu Bhuvana, Dhaumya, Shatananda, Akritavrana, Rama the son of Jamadagni and Kacha.
समागता महात्मानो भीष्मं द्रष्टुं महर्षयः। तेषां महात्मनां पूजामागतानां युधिष्ठिरः॥ भ्रातृभिः सहितश्चकै यथावदनुपूर्वशः। ते पूजिताः सुखासीनाः कथाश्चक्रुर्महर्षयः॥
All these great Rishis came there for seeing Bhishma lying on his bed of arrows. Yudhishthira with his brothers duly adored those great Rishis who had come there, one after another in proper order. Receiving that were were adoration, those foremost of Rishis sat themselves down and began to converse with one another.
भीष्माश्रिताः सुमधुराः सर्वेन्द्रियमनोहराः। भीष्मस्तेषां कथाः श्रुत्वा ऋषीणां भावितात्मनाम्॥
Their conversation related to Bhishma and was highly sweet and agreeable. Hearing that talk of theirs about himself, Bhishma became filled with joy and considered himself to be already in heaven.
मेने दिविष्ठमात्मानं तुष्ट्या परमया युतः। ततस्ते भीष्ममामन्त्र्य पाण्डवांश्च महर्षयः॥
Having obtained the leave of Bhishma and of the Pandava princes those Rishis then disappeared before the very sight of all the beholders.
अन्तर्धानं गताः सर्वे सर्वेषामेव पश्यताम्। तानृषीन् सुमहाभागानन्तर्धानगतानपि॥
The Pandavas bowed again and again and offered their adorations to those highly blessed Rishis even after they had made themselves invisible.
पाण्डवास्तुष्टुवुः सर्वे प्रणेमुश्च मुहुर्मुहुः। प्रसन्नमनसः सर्वे गाङ्गेयं कुरुसत्तमम्॥
They then cheerfully waited upon the son of Ganga even as Brahmanas versed in Mantras wait with respect upon the rising Sun.
उपतस्थुर्यथोद्यन्तमादित्यं मन्त्रकोविदाः। प्रभावात् तपसस्तेषामृषीणां वीक्ष्य पाण्डवाः॥
The Pandavas saw that the points of the compass shining on account of the energy of their penances, and became filled with wonder at the spectacle.
प्रकाशन्तो दिशः सर्वा विस्मयं परमं ययुः। महाभाग्यं परं तेषामृषीणामनुचिन्त्य ते। पाण्डवाः सह भीष्मेण कथाश्चक्रुस्तदाश्रयाः॥
Thinking of the high blessedness and power of those Rishis, the Pandava princes began to discourse on the subject with their grandfather Bhishma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच कथान्ते शिरसा पादौ स्पृष्ट्वा भीष्मस्य पाण्डवः। धर्म्य धर्मसुतः प्रश्नं पर्यपृच्छद् युधिष्ठिरः॥
Vaishampayana said After that conversation was over, the pious Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, touched Bhishma's feet with his head and then resumed his questions about morality and virtue.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच के देशाः के जनपदा आश्रमाः के च पर्वताः। प्रकृष्टाः पुण्यतः काच ज्ञेया नद्यः पितामह॥
Yudhishthira said Which countries, which provinces, which hermitages, which mountains, and which rivers, O grandfather, are the foremost in sancity.
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। शिलोच्छवृत्तेः संवादं सिद्धस्य च युधिष्ठिर॥
Bhishma said Regarding it is cited the old conversation between a Brahmana in the observance of the Shila and the Unccha vows, O Yudhishthira, and a Rishi crowned with ascetic merits.
इमां कश्चित् परिक्रम्य पृथिवीं शैलभूषणाम्। असकृद् द्विपदां श्रेष्ठः श्रेष्ठस्य गृहमेधिनः॥ शिलवृत्तेहं प्राप्तः स तेन विधिनार्चितः। उवास रजनीं तत्र सुमुखः सुखभागृषिः॥
Once on a time, a foremost person, having travelled over this entire Earth adorned with mountains, arrived at last in the house of a foremost person living like a householder in accordance with the shila vow. The latter welcomed his guest with due rites. Received with such hospitality, the happy Rishi passed the night happily in the house of his host.
शिलवृत्तिस्तु यत् कृत्यं प्रातस्तत् कृतवाञ्छुचिः। कृतकृत्यमुपातिष्ठत् सिद्धं तमतिथिं तदा।॥
The next morning the Brahmana in the observance of the Shila vow, having finished all his morning acts and rites and purified himself duly, gladly approached his guest crowned with ascetic success.
तौ समेत्य महात्मानौ सुखासीनौ कथाः शुभाः। चक्रतुर्वेदसम्बद्धास्तच्छेषकृतलक्षणाः॥
Meeting with each other and seated at their ease, the two began to take on agreeable subjects of the Vedas and the Upanishads.
शिलवृत्तिः कथान्तेतु सिद्धमामन्त्र्य यत्नतः। प्रश्नं पप्रच्छ मेधावी यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि॥
Towards the conclusion of the discourse, the Brahmana in the observance of the Shila vow respectfully addressed the Rishi crowned with success. Gifted with intelligence, he put this very question which you, O Yudhishthira have put to me.
शिलवृत्तिरुवाच के देशाः के जनपदाः केऽऽश्रमाः के च पर्वताः। प्रकृष्टाः पुण्यतः काश्च ज्ञेया नद्यस्तुदुच्यत्ताम्॥
The Poor Brahmana said What are those countries, what are those provinces, what those hermitages, what those mountains, and what those rivers that should be considered as the foremost in sanctity? Do you describe this to me.
ऋषिरुवाच ते देशास्ते जनपदास्तेऽऽश्रमास्ते च पर्वताः। येषां भागीरथी गङ्गा मध्येनैति सरिद्वरा॥
The Rishi said Those countries, those provinces, those retreats, and those mountains, should be considered as the foremost in sanctity through which or by the side of which that foremost of all rivers viz., Bhagirathi, flows.
तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण यज्ञैस्त्यागेन वा पुनः। गतिं तां न लभेज्जन्तुर्गङ्गां संसेव्य यां लभेत्॥
The end which a creature can attain by penances by Brahmacharyya by sacrifices or by practising Renunciation, one is sure to attain by only living by the side of the Bhagirathi and bathing in its sacred waters.
स्पृष्टानि येषां गाङ्गेयैस्तोयैर्गात्राणि देहिनाम्। न्यस्तानि न पुरस्तेषां त्याग स्वर्गाद् विधीयते॥
Those creatures whose bodies have been sprinkled with the sacred waters of Bhagirathi or whose bones have been laid in that sacred stream, have not to fall away from heaven at any time.
सर्वाणि येषां गाङ्गेयैस्तोयैः कार्याणि देहिनाम्। गां त्यक्त्वा मानवा विप्र दिवि तिष्ठन्ति ते जनाः।।
Those men, O learned Brahmana, who use the waters of Bhagirathi in all their acts surely go to heaven after death.
पूर्वं वयसि कर्माणि कृत्वा पापानि ये नराः। पश्चाद् गङ्गां निषेवन्ते तेऽपि यान्त्युत्तमां गतिम्॥
Even those men who, having committed various sinful deeds in the first part of their lives, live in after years by the side of Ganga, succeed in attaining to a very superior end.
स्नातानां शुचिभिस्तोयैर्गाङ्गेयैः प्रयतात्मनाम्। व्युष्टिर्भवति या पुंसां न सा क्रतुशतैरपि॥
Hundreds of sacrifices cannot yield that merit which men of controlled souls are capable of acquiring by bathing in the sacred waters of Ganga.
यावदस्थि मनुष्यस्य गङ्गातोयेषु तिष्ठति। तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गलोके महीयते॥
A person is respected and adored in the celestial region for as long a period as his bones lie in the channel of Ganga.
अपहत्य तमस्तीवं यथा भात्युदये रविः। तथापहत्य पाप्मानं भाति गङ्गाजलोक्षितः॥
Even as the Sun, when he rises at the dawn of day, shines, having removed the darkness of night, likewise the person who has bathed in the waters of Ganga is seen to shine, purged of all his sins.
विसोमा इव शर्वर्यो विपुष्पास्तरवो यथा। तद्वद् देशा दिशश्चैव हीना गङ्गाजलैः शिवैः॥ वर्णाश्रमा यथा सर्वे धर्मज्ञानविवर्जिताः। क्रतवश्च यथासोमास्तथा गङ्गां विना जगत्॥
The countries and the points of the compass which are destitute of the sacred waters of Ganga are like nights without the moon or trees without flowers. Indeed a world without Ganga is like the different castes and modes of life when they are shorn of virtue or like sacrifices without Soma.
यथा हीनं नभोऽर्केण भूःशैलैः खं च वायुना। तथा देशा दिशश्चैव गङ्गाहीना च संशयः॥
Forsooth countries and points of the compass which are without Ganga are like the sky without the sun or the Earth without mountains, or the etherial region without air.
त्रिषु लोकेषु ये केचित् प्राणिनः सर्व एव ते। तर्प्यमाणाः परां तृप्तिं यान्ति गङ्गाजलैः शुभैः॥
All the creatures in the three worlds, if served with the sacred waters of Ganga, derive a pleasure the like of which they cannot derive from any other source.
यस्तु सूर्येण निष्टतं गाङ्गेयं पिबते जलम्। गवां निरिनिर्मुक्ताद् यावकात् तद् विशिष्यते॥
He who drinks Ganga water which has been heated by the Sun's rays, derives merit much greater than that which belongs to the vow of living upon the wheat or grains or other corn picked up from cowdung.
इन्द्रव्रतसहस्रं तु यश्चरेत् कायशोधनम्। पिबेद् यश्चापि गङ्गाम्भः समौ स्यातां न वा समौ॥३९
It cannot be said whether, he who performs a thousand Chandrayana rites for purifying his body and he who drinks the water of Ganga, are equal.
तिष्ठेद् युगसहस्रं तु पदेनैकेन यः पुमान्। मासमेकं तु गङ्गाया समौ स्यातां न वा समौ॥
It cannot be said whether one who stands for a thousand years on one foot and one who lives for only a month by the side of Ganga are equal.
लंबतेऽवाशिरा यस्तु युगानामयुतं पुमान्। तिष्ठेद् यथेष्टं यश्चापि गङ्गायां स विशिष्यते॥
One who lives permanently by the side of Ganga is superior in merit to one who lives for ten thousand cycles with head hanging downwards.
अग्नौ प्रास्तं प्रधूयेत यथा तूलं द्विजोत्तम। तथा गङ्गावगाढस्य सर्वपापं प्रधूयते॥
As cotton, when it comes into contact with fire, is burnt off without a residue, so the sins of the person that has bathed in Ganga become perfectly consumed.
भूतानामिह सर्वेषां दुःखोपहतचेतसाम्। गतिमन्वेषमाणानां न गङ्गासदृशी गतिः॥
There is no end superior to Ganga for those creatures who, with hearts afflicted by sorrow, seek to attain to ends which may remove that sorrow of theirs.
भवन्ति निर्विषाः सर्प यथा तार्क्ष्यस्य दर्शनात्। गङ्गाया दर्शनात् तद्वत् सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते॥
As snakes become shorn of their poison as soon as they see Garuda, so one becomes purged of all his sins as soon as he sees the sacred river Ganga.
अप्रतिष्ठाश्च ये केचिदधर्मशरणाश्च ये। तेषां प्रतिष्ठा गङ्गेह शरणं शर्म वर्म च॥
They who do not enjoy fame for virtue and they who are addicted to deeds of sinfulness, have Ganga for their fame, their protection, their means of safety their refuge or cover.
प्रकृष्टैरशुभैर्ग्रस्ताननेकैः पुरुषाधमान्। पततो नरके गङ्गा संश्रितान् प्रेत्य तारयेत्॥
Many wretched men who commit various sins of a heinous nature, when they are about to sink into hell, are rescued by Ganga in the next world.
ते संविभक्ता मुनिभिर्नूनं देवैः सवासवैः। येऽभिगच्छन्ति सततं गङ्गां मतिमतां वर॥
They, O foremost of intelligent men, who plunge every day in the sacred waters of Ganga, become the equals of great Munis and the very deities headed by Indra.
विनयाचारहीनाश्च अशिवाश्च नराधमाः। ते भवन्ति शिवा विप्र ये वै गङ्गामुपाश्रिताः॥
Those wretched men who are destitute of humility or modesty of behaviour and who are greatly sinful, become righteous and good, O Brahmana, by living by the side of Ganga.
यथा सुराणाममृतं पितॄणां च यथा स्वधा। सुधा यथा च नागानां तथा गङ्गाजलं नृणाम्॥
As ambrosia is to the deities, as Svadha is to the Pitris, as Svadha is to the Nagas, so is Gangawater to human beings.
उपासते यथा बाला मातरं क्षुधयार्दिताः। श्रेयस्कामास्तथा गङ्गामुपासन्तीह देहिनः॥
As children stricken with hunger, solicit their mothers for food, similarly do people desirous of their highest good seek Ganga.
स्वायम्भुवं यथा स्थानं सर्वेषां श्रेष्ठमुच्यते। सातानां सरितां श्रेष्ठा गङ्गा तद्वदिहोच्यते॥
As the region of the selfcreate Brahman is said to be the foremost of all places, so is Ganga said to be foremost of all rivers for those who desire to bathe.
यथोपजीविनां धेनुर्देवादीनां धरा स्मृता। तथोपजीविनां गङ्गा सर्वप्राणभृतामिह॥
As the Earth and the cow are said to be the chief sustenance of the celestials, so is Ganga the chief sustenance of all living creatures.
देवाः सोमार्कसंस्थानि यथा सत्रादिभिर्मखैः। अमृतान्युपजीवन्ति तथा गङ्गाजलं नराः॥
As the celestials support themselves upon the ambrosia that is in the Sun and the Moon and that is offered in various sacrifices, so do human beings support themselves upon Gangawater.
जाह्नवीपुलिनोत्थाभिः सिकताभिः समुक्षितम्। आत्मानं मन्यते लोको दिविष्ठमिव शोभितम्॥
One besmeared with the sand taken from the shores of Ganga considers oneself as an inhabitant of heaven, adorned with celestial unguents.
जाह्नवीतीरसम्भूतां मृदं मूर्धा बिभर्ति यः। बिभर्ति रूपं सोऽर्कस्य तमोनाशाय निर्मलम्॥
He who bears on his head the mud taken from the banks of Ganga looks effulgent like the sun himself bent on removing the surrounding darkness.
गङ्गोर्मिभिरथो दिग्धः पुरुषं पवनो यदा। स्पृशते सोऽस्य पाप्मानं सद्य एवापकर्षति॥
When the wind which is moistened with the particles of Gangawater touches one's body, it cleanses him immediately of every sin.
व्यसनैरभितप्तस्य नरस्य विनशिष्यतः। गङ्गादर्शनजा प्रीतिर्व्यसनान्यपकर्षति॥
A person afflicted by calamities and about to sink under their pressures finds all his calamities removed by the joy which originates in his heart on seeing that sacred river.
हंसारावैः कोकरवै रवैरन्यैश्च पक्षिणाम्। पस्पर्ध गङ्गा गन्धर्वान् पुलिनैश्च शिलोच्चयान्॥
By the sweet notes of the swans and Kokas and other aquatic fowl that play on her breast, Ganga, challenges the very Gandharvas and by her high banks the very mountains on the Earth.
हंसादिभिः सुबहुभिर्विविधैः पक्षिभिर्वृताम्। गङ्गां गोकुलसम्बाधां दृष्ट्वा स्वर्गोऽपि विस्मृतः॥
Seeing her surface teeming with swans and various other aquatic fowl, and having banks adorned with pasture lands with kine grazing on them, the celestial region herself loses her pride.
न सा प्रीतिर्दिविष्ठस्य सर्वकामानुपाश्नतः। सम्भवेद् या परा प्रीतिर्गङ्गायाः पुलिने नृणाम्॥
The high happiness which one enjoys by living on the banks of Ganga, can never be his who is living even in the celestial region.
वाङ्मनःकर्मजैर्ग्रस्तः पापैरपि पुमानिह। वीक्ष्य गङ्गां भवेत् पूतो अत्र मे नास्ति संशयः॥
I have no doubt in this that the person who is afflicted with sins perpetrated in words and thought and act, becomes cleansed on seeing Ganga.
सप्तावरान् सप्त परान् पितूंस्तेभ्यश्च ये परे। पुमांस्तारयते गङ्गां वीक्ष्य स्पृष्ट्वावगाह्य च॥
By seeing that sacred river, touching it, and bathing in its waters, one rescues his ancestors to the seventh degree, and his descendants to the seventh degeree, as also other ancestors and descendants.
श्रुताभिलषिता पीता स्पृष्टा दृष्टावगाहिता। गङ्गा तारयते नृणामुभौ वंशो विशेषतः॥
By hearing of Ganga, by wishing to go to that river, by drinking its waters, by touching those waters, and by bathing in them , a person rescues both his paternal and maternal families.
दर्शनात् स्पर्शनात् पानात् तथा गङ्गेति कीर्तनात्। पुनात्यपुण्याम् पुरुषाच्छतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥
By seeing touching and drinking the waters of Ganga, or by praising them, hundreds and thousands of sinful men become purged of all their sins.
य इच्छेत् सफलं जन्म जीवितं श्रुतमेव च। स पितृस्तर्पयेद् गङ्गामभिगम्य सुरांस्तथा॥
They who wish to make their birth, life, and learning successful, should go to Ganga and please the departed manes and the celestials by offering them oblations of water.
न सुतैर्न च वित्तेन कर्मणा न च तत्फलम्। प्राप्नुयात् पुरुषोऽत्यन्तं गङ्गां प्राप्य यदाप्नुयात्॥
The merit that one acquires by bathing in Ganga is such that the like of it is incapable of being acquired through the acquisition of sons or riches or the performance of meritorious acts.
जात्यन्धैरिह तुल्यास्ते मृतैः पङ्गुभिरेव च। समर्था ये न पश्यन्ति गङ्गां पुण्यजलां शिवाम्॥
Those who, although physically able do not seek to see the sacred Ganga, are, forsooth, comparable persons suffering from congenital blindness or those who are dead or those who are benumbed through palsy or lameness.
भूतभव्यभविष्यज्ञैर्महर्षिभिरुपास्थिताम्। देवैः सेन्ट्रैश्च को गङ्गां नोपसेवेत मानवः॥
What is there who would not respect this sacred river that is adored by great Rishis knowing the Present the Past and the Future, as also by the very gods headed by Indra? to
वानप्रस्थैर्गृहस्थैश्च यतिभिर्ब्रह्मचारिभिः। विद्यावद्भिः श्रितां गङ्गां पुमान् को नाम नाश्रयेत्॥६९
What man is there who wouldnot seek the protection of Ganga whose protection is sought by hermits and householders, by Yatis and Brahmacharins alike?
उत्क्रामद्धिश्च यः प्राणः प्रयतः शिष्टसम्मतः। चिन्तयेन्मनसा गङ्गां स गतिं परमां लभेत्॥
The virtuous man with controlled mind, thinks of Ganga at the time when his vital airs are about to leave his body, succeeds in acquiring the highest end.
न भयेश्यो भयं तस्य न पापेभ्यो न राजतः। आ देहपतनाद् गङ्गामुपास्ते यः पुमानिह॥
That man who lives by the side of Ganga up to the time of his death, worshipping her reverentially, becomes freed from all fear of sin and of kings.
महापुण्यां च गगनात् पतन्तीं वै महेश्वरः। दधार शिरसा गङ्गां तामेव दिवि सेवते॥
When that highly sacred river dropped from the sky, Maheshvara held it on his head. It is that very river which is worshipped in heaven.
अलंकृतास्त्रयो लोकाः पथिभिर्विमलैस्त्रिभिः। यस्तु तस्या जलं सेवेत् कृतकृत्यः पुमान् भवेत्॥७३
The three regions are beautiful by the three courses of this sacred river. The man who uses the waters of that river, becomes certainly successful.
दिवि ज्योतिर्यथाऽऽदित्यः पितॄणां चैव चन्द्रमाः। देवेशश्च तथा नृणां गङ्गा च सरितां तथा॥
As the solar ray is to the gods in the celestial region, as the moon is to the departed manes, as the king is to human beings, so is Ganga to all rivers.
मात्रा पित्रा सुतैारैर्विमुक्तस्य धनेन वा। न भवेद्धि तथा दुःखं यथा गङ्गावियोगजम्॥
One who becomes bereaved of mother or father or sons or wives or riches does not feel that grief which one feels when he becomes bereaved of Ganga.
नारण्यैर्नेष्टविषयैर्न सुतैर्न धनागमैः। तथा प्रसादो भवति गङ्गां वीक्ष्य यथा भवेत्॥
One does not get that joy through acts that lead to the region of Brahman, or through such sacrifices and rites that lead to heaven, or through children or riches, which one get from seeing Ganga.
पूर्णमिन्दुं यथा दृष्ट्वा नृणां दृष्टिः प्रसीदति। तथा त्रिपथगां दृष्ट्वा नृणां दृष्टिः प्रसीदति॥
The pleasure that men derive from seeing Ganga is tantamount to what they derive from seeing the full moon.
तद्भावस्तद्गतमनास्तन्निष्टस्तत्परायणः! गङ्गां योऽनुगतो भक्त्या स तस्याः प्रियतां व्रजेत्॥७८
That man becomes dear to Ganga who worship her with deep devotion, with mind wholly fixed upon her, with a respect that refuses to take in any other object within its sphere, with a feeling that there is nothing else in the universe worthy of similar adoration, and with a steadiness that knows no decrease.
भूस्थैः स्वःस्थैर्दिविष्ठैश्च भूतैरुच्चावचैरपि। गङ्गा विगाह्या सततमेतत् कार्यतमं सताम्॥
Creatures who live on Earth, in the sky or in the celestial region indeed, even beings who are very superior, should always bathe in Ganga. Indeed, this is the foremost of all duties of the righteous.
विश्वलोकेषु पुण्यत्वाद् गङ्गायाः प्रथितं यशः। यत्पुत्रान्सगरस्येतो भस्माख्याननयद् दिवम्॥
The fame of Ganga for sanctity has spread over the entire universe, since she carried all the sons of Sagara, who had been reduced to ashes, from here to the celestial region,
१ताभिरत्यर्थसमुत्थिताभिः। गङ्गोर्मिभिर्भानुमतीभिरिद्धाः सहस्ररश्मिप्रतिमा भवन्ति॥
Men who are washed by the bright, beautiful, high, and rapidly moving waves, raised by the wind, of Ganga, become purged of all their sins and resemble in splendour the Sun with his thousand rays.
पथस्विनी घृतिनीमत्युदारां समृद्धिनी वेगिनीं दुर्विगाह्याम्। गङ्गां गत्वा यैः शरीरं विसृष्टं गता धीरास्ते विबुधैः समत्वम्॥
Those men of tranquil souls who have renounced their bodies in the waters of Ganga whose sanctity is as great as that of the butter and other liquids poured in sacrifices and which are capable of giving merits equal to those of the greatest of sacrifices, have certainly attained to a station equal to that of the very gods.
अन्धान् जडान् द्रव्यहीनांश्च गङ्गा यशस्विनी बृहती विश्वरूपा। देवैः सेन्ट्रैर्मुनिभिर्मानवैश्च निषेविता सर्वकामैथुनक्ति ॥
Indeed, Ganga, having faine and vast extent and at one with the entire universe and respected by the deities headed by Indra, the Munis, and human beings, is competent to grant the fruition of all their wishes io them who are blind, to them who are idiots, and to them who are destitute of all things.
ऊर्जावती महापुण्यां मधुमती त्रिवम॑गाम्। त्रिलोकगोत्रीं ये गङ्गां संश्रितास्ते दिवं गताः॥
They who seek refuge with Ganga, that protectress of all the universe, that flows in three currents, that is filled with water at once highly sacred and sweet as honey and productive of every sort of good, have succeeded in acquiring the beatitude of Heaven.
स्तस्मै प्रयच्छन्ति सुखानि देवाः। तद्भाविता: स्पर्शनदर्शनेन इष्टां गतिं तस्य सुरा दिशन्ति॥
That mortal who live by the side of Ganga and sees her every day, becomes purified by her sight and touch. To him the gods give every sort of happiness here and a high end hereafter.
दक्षां पृश्निं बृहती विप्रकृष्टां शिवामृद्धां भागिनी सुप्रसन्नाम्। विभावरी सर्वभूतप्रतिष्ठा गङ्गां गता ये त्रिदिवं गतास्ते॥
Ganga is regarded as competent to rescue every creature from sin and lead him to the happiness of Heaven. She is held to be at one with Prishni the mother of Vishnu. She is identical with the Word or Speech. She is very remote and can not be easily attained. She is the embodiment of auspiciousness, and prosperity. She is capable granting the six wellknown attributes beginning with lordship or power. She is always bent upon showing her grace. She is the displayer of all things in the universe, and she is the great resort of all creatures. Those who seek her protection in this life have surely acquired heaven.
ख्यातिर्यस्याः खं दिवंगां च नित्यं पुरा दिशो विदिशश्चावतस्थे। तस्या जलं सेव्य सरिद्वराया माः सर्वे कृतकृत्या भवन्ति॥
The fame of Ganga has spread all over the sky, and Heaven, and Earth, and all the points, cardinal and subsidiary, of the compass. By using the waters of that foremost of rivers, mortal creatures always become crowned with high success.
इयं गङ्गेति नियतं प्रतिष्ठा गुहस्य रुक्मस्य च गर्भयोषा। प्रातस्त्रिवर्गा घृतवहा विपाप्मा गङ्गावतीर्णा वियतो विश्वतोया॥
That person who, himself seeing Ganga, points her out to others, finds that Ganga rescues him from rebirth and confers Liberation on him. Ganga held Guha, the commander-in-chief of the celestial army in her womb. She bears the most precious of all metals, viz., gold, also in that womb of hers. They who bathe in her waters every day in the morning, succeed in obtaining the three-fold objects, viz., Virtue and Wordly Profit and Pleasure. Those waters are, again, equal in point of sanctity to the butter that is poured with Mantras on the sacrificial fire. Capable of purging one from every sin, she has descended from the celestial region and her current is held in high regard by every one.
सुतावनीध्रस्य हरस्य भार्या दिवो भुवश्चापि कृतानुरूपा। भव्या पृथिव्यां भागिनी चापि राजन् गङ्गा लोकानां पुण्यदा वै त्रयाणाम्॥
Ganga is the daughter of Himavat, the wife of Hara, and the ornament of both Heaven and Earth. She is the bestower of everything auspicious, and is competent to give the six well known attributes beginning with lordship or power. Indeed, O king, Ganga is the one object of great sanctity in the three worlds and confers merit upon all.
महोर्मिभिः शोभिता ब्राह्मणैश्च। दिवश्च्युता शिरसाऽऽप्ता शिवेन गङ्गावनीध्रात त्रिदिवस्य माता॥
Truly, O king, Ganga is Virtue in liquefied i form. She is energy in a liquid forin over the Earth. She is gifted with the splendour or power that belongs to the butter that is poured with Mantras on the sacrificial fire. She is always adorned with large waves as also with Brahmanas who may at all times be seen making their ablutions in her waters. Falling from Heaven, she was held by Shiva on his head. The very mother of the heavens, she has originated from the highest mountain for running over the plains and conferring the most valuable benefits on all creatures of the Earth.
योनिर्वरिष्ठा विरजा वितन्वी शय्याचिरा वारिवहा यशोदा। विश्वावती चाकृतिरिष्टसिद्धा गङ्गोक्षितानां भुवनस्य पन्थाः॥
She is the highest cause of all things; she is perfectly pure. She is as subtile as Brahma. She is the best bed for the dying. She takes creatures speedily to the celestial region. She carries a large volume of water. She confers great fame on all. She is the protectress of the universe. She is at one with every forin. She is very much coveted by persons crowned with success. Indeed, Ganga is the path to that celestial region of those who have bathed in her water.
क्षान्त्या मह्या गोपने धारणेच दीप्त्या कृशानोस्तपनस्य चैव। तुल्या गङ्गा सम्मता ब्राह्मणानां गुहस्य ब्रह्मण्यतया च नित्यम्॥
The Brahmanas consider Ganga as being equal to the Earth in forgiveness, and in the protection and upholding of those who live by her, further, as equalling Fire and the Sun in energy and splendour; and, lastly, as always equalling Guha himself in the matter of showing favours to the trueborn class.
ऋषिष्टुतां विष्णुपदी पुराणां सुपुण्यतोयां मनसापि लोके। स्ते ब्रह्मणः सदनं सम्प्रयाताः॥
Those men who, in the life, even in their minds seek that sacred river which is lauded by the Rishis, which has come out of the feet of Vishnu, which is very ancient, and which is highly sacred succeed in going to the regions of Brahman.
लोकानवेक्ष्य जननीव पुत्रान् सर्वात्मना सर्वगुणोपपन्नान्। गङ्गा सदैवात्मवशरूपास्या॥
Fully convinced that children and other belongings, as also regions possessed of every kind of happiness, are transitory or frail, men of subdued souls, who are desirous of acquiring that everlasting station which is at one with Brahina, always pay their adorations to Ganga with that respect and love which are due from a son to a mother.
मिरावतीं धारिणी भूधराणाम्। शिष्टाश्रयाममृतां ब्रह्मकान्तां गङ्गां श्रयेदात्मवान् सिद्धिकामः॥
The man of purified soul who is desirous of acquiring success should seek the protection of Ganga who is like a cow that gives ambrosia instead of ordinary milk, who is prosperity's self, who is endued with omniscience, who exists for all creatures, who is the source of all sorts of food, who is the mother of all mountains, who is the refuge of all pious persons, who is immeasurable in power and energy and who charms the heart of Brahman himself.
प्रसाद्य देवान् सविभून् समस्तान् भगीरथस्तपसोग्रेण गङ्गाम्। गामानयत् तामभिगम्य शश्वत् पुंसां भयं नेह चामुत्र विद्यात्॥
Having, with austere penances, pleased all the gods with the Supreme Lord (Vishnu), Bhagiratha brought Ganga down on the Earth. Going to her, men always succeed in freeing themselves from every sort of fear both here and hereafter.
उदाहतः सर्वथा ते गुणानां मयैकदेशः प्रसमीक्ष्य बुद्ध्या। शक्तिर्न मे काचिदिहास्ति वक्तुं गुणान् सर्वान् परिमातुं तथैव॥
Observing with the help of intelligence, I have mentioned to you only a small portion of the merits of Ganga. My power, however, is inadequate to speak of all the merits of the sacred river, or indeed, to measure her power and sanctity.
मेरो: समुद्रस्य च सर्वयत्नैः संख्योपलानामुदकस्य वापि। शक्यं वक्तुं नेह गङ्गाजलानां गुणाख्यानं परिमातुं तथैव॥
One may, displaying his best powers, count the stones of the mountain Meru or measure the waters of the ocean. But one cannot count all the merits of the waters of Ganga.
तस्मादेतान् परया श्रद्धयोक्तान् गुणान् सर्वान् जाह्नवीयान् सदैव। भवेद् वाचा मनसा कर्मणा च भक्त्या युक्तः श्रद्धया श्रद्दधानः॥
Hence, having listened to these particular merits of Ganga which I have uttered with great devotion, one should in thought, word and deed, respect them with faith and devotion.
लोकानिमांस्त्रीन् यशसा वितत्य सिद्धिं प्राप्य महतीं तां दुरापाम्। गङ्गाकृतानचिरेणैव लोकान् यथेष्टमिष्टान् विहरिष्यसि त्वम्॥
On account of your having listened to those merits which I have recounted, you are sure to fill all the three regions with fame and acquire a measure of success that is very large and that is difficult of being won by any other person. Indeed, you will soon after that, sport in joy in many a region of great happiness created by Ganga herself for those that respect her.
तव मम च गुणैर्महानुभावा जुषतु मतिं सततं स्वधर्मयुक्तः। अभिमतजनवत्सला हि गङ्गा जगति युनक्ति सुखैश्च भक्तिमन्तम्॥
Ganga always extends her favour to those who are devoted to her in huinbleness of heart. She unites those who are so devoted to her with every kind of happiness. I pray that the highly blessed Ganga may always inspire your heart and mine with the attributes of virtue.
भीष्म उवाच शिलरतये त्रिपथानुयोगरूपान्। बहुविधमनुशास्य तथ्यरूपान् गगनतलं द्युतिमान् विवेश सिद्धः॥
Bhishma said The learned ascetic gifted with high soul and great slendour and crowned with success having in this manner described to that poor Brahmana observing the Shila vow, on the subject of the infinite merits of Ganga, then ascended the sky.
शिलवृत्तिस्तु सिद्धस्य वाक्यैः सम्बोधितस्तदा। गङ्गामुपास्य विधिवत् सिद्धिं प्राप सुदुर्लभाम्॥
The poor Brahmana observing the Shila vow, awakened by the words of that ascetic crowned with success, duly sought refuge with Ganga and acquired great success.
तथा त्वमपि कौन्तेय भक्त्या परमया युतः। गङ्गामभ्येहि सततं प्राप्स्यसे सिद्धिमुत्तमाम्॥
Do you also, O son of Kunti, seek Ganga with great devotion for you will then, as the reward thereof, acquire great and excellent Success.
वैशम्पायन उवाच श्रुत्वेतिहासं भीष्मोक्तं गङ्गायाः स्तवसंयुतम्। युधिष्ठिरः परां प्रीतिमगच्छद् भ्रातृभिः सह॥
Vaishampayana said Hearing this discourse from Bhishma of the praise of Ganga, Yudhishthira with his brothers became filled with great joy.
इतिहासमिमं पुण्यं शृणुयाद् यः पठेत वा। गङ्गायाः स्तवसंयुक्तं स मुच्येत् सर्वकिल्बिषैः।।१०६।
That person who recites or hears recited this sacred topic of the praise of Ganga, becomes purged of every sin.