GANGAVATARANA - SUBSTANTIATION

There were five superscriptions in Chapter 43 of Balakanda in Valmeeki Ramayana and their explanations are given hereunder, without which the understanding may become slightly lopsided. 

1The first stanza of this chapter reads as under: 

DEvadEvE gatE tasminsO(a)nguShThAgranipeeditAm|

KrutwA vasumateem RAma samwatsaramupAsata

The second word in the first line is “AnguShThAgranipeeDitAm”, which literally means “Bhageeratha was torturing the Earth with his right toe-end. Scholars clarify that tormenting the earth with right toe-end only means that Bhageeratha was standing on his right toe-end while doing the penance. Because of the sharpness of the nail, perhaps, the Goddess Earth was being pained, though it was not the intention of Bhageeratha. He was standing on the right toe-end as a means of concentration. Because of the power of his penance, the toe-end had become so strong that it could bear the whole weight of the body of Bhageeratha. Taking explanations provided in Bhagavata and other Puranas, the interpretation of Sri Madhwacharya, it can be said that Lord Vishnu had provided Bhageeratha with that power, strength, patience and perseverance to press for his demand. 

2Ganga is also known as Tripathage which means a river which flows in three paths (Tri = three and Patha means paths). Some scholars state that since Ganga flew in all the three worlds of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld, she has been called as Tripathage. Some others say that since three streams of Ganga flew towards West, three towards East and one followed Bhageeratha, she has been named as Tripathage. There is no harm in accepting both the arguments. 

3Jahnu was born in the royal family of Chandra or the dynasty of Moon to Ajameedha, who was the son of Suhotra. His mother’s name was Keshini. He is also the originator of a dynasty called Kushika to which Vishwamitra belongs. Even in Ramayana, Valmeeki addresses Vishwamitra as Kaushika or Kushika. 

4 According to scriptures, the oceans, initially, consisted of Ganga waters and was therefore it was sweet. Once, when the deities were battling with demons, the demons suddenly vanished and hid in an ocean. The deities appealed to Sage Agastya to help them. Sage Agastya obliged, drank the

ocean waters at once and emptied the whole region to expose the demons. Deities could then destroy the demons and emerge victorious. From then on, Sage Agastya is also known as Samudrachuluka. Later, Agastya released the water in the form of urine and that is why the sea waters became salty. 

5The significance of the immersion of the ashes of corpses in holy waters of Ganga, Kaveri or union of sacred rivers called Sangam is established with the incident of Bhageeratha immersing the ashes of his ancestors in Ganga waters, which cleared their sins and empowered them to enter the Heavens, say scholars. 

(The merits of reading this story of Gangavatarana will be furnished next time, because of the length and also significance. It is highly meritorious to read or hear the story of Gangavatarana. Please read, attract the Punya, peace and prosperity, comment and share it if you like it. Thank you.- SDN)