Bengali Ramayana - Ganga 1

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When Bhagiratha was old enough, he went to study

in Vashishtha's ashrama. There the other boys would

tease him, calling him fatherless. His mother told him

about Sagar, Asmanjus, Anshuman and Dilip. She told him

about Kapila and Ganga. Bhagiratha told her - "Mother,

my ancestors tried to get Ganga down when they were

old. They should have started it when they were young.

I am going to try to get Ganga down to

earth".<br>He started by praying to Indra. Indra appeared

before him. Bhagiratha asked him about Ganga. Indra said

"I am not capable to grant your boon. Pray to Shiva,

he should be able to help you". Bowing before Indra,

Bhagiratha started praying to Shiva. Pleased Shiva asked

him, what he wanted. After knowing his query, Shiva

told him(Bhagiratha) to pray to Vishnu. Pleased,

Vishnu appeared before Bhagiratha after his (Bhagiratha)

pleased him with his prayers. He told Bhagiratha to pray

to Ganga herself. Brahma released Ganga from his

kamandalu. Blowing a conch shell, Bhagiratha went on a

chariot, Ganga followed after him. <br>They reached Sumeru

mountain. Bhagiratha rode over it, but Ganga got lost

inside a maze inside the mountain. Bhagiratha started

praying to the mountain. Ganga from withing the mountain,

told Bhagiratha to fetch Airavata,th elephant, Indra's

vehicle.With his tusks, Airavata would tear down the mountain

and Ganga would be free. <br>Bhagiratha approached

Indra and told him about his problem. "I have got

Ganga, but she is now trapped inside Sumeru. Please send

Airavata to free Ganga". Riding Airavata, along with

Bhagiratha, Indra approached Sumeru. Proud Airavata said,

"Ganga, if you are willing to serve me as a maid for a

day, I'll free you".Ganga knew that Airavata was proud

and his pride would have to be broken. She told the

elephant "If you can bear two waves of mine, I will serve

you".<br>Agreeing, Airavata tore down the mountain,Sumeru, with his

tusks. With one wave, Airavata was in a bad shape. He

begged for forgiveness, Ganga forgave him. <br>After

Sumeru, Bhagiratha passed by Kailasha. Ganga suddenly

became behaving wildly. Bhagiratha was puzzled. He

started praying to Ganga. Ganga said " I am not able to

control myself. Ask Shiva to come forth and control my

speed. Ask him to come soon, or the whole earth will be

destroyed." Bhagiratha approached Shiva. Shiva agreed to help

Bhagiratha. Ganga jumped on Shiva's head and was lost in His

matthed hair. For twelve years, Ganga tried to come out,

but she could not. In those twelve years, she managed

to control her speed and nature. Shiva was lost in

his world. Bhagiratha prayed to Him again and pleased

him. Shiva agreed and Ganga jumped out of Shiva's

locks. The place where she jumped is today's Haridwar.

Who ever has a bath in the Ganges, is relieved of all

sins. With Bhagiratha Ganga met Yamuna and Saraswati.

That place is today's Triveni. During Makar Sankranti,

if anyone has a bath in Triveni, all sins are washed

off.<br>Once Shiva had a fight with a Brahmin and had to kill

him. Having killed a Brahmin, Shiva had th esin of

BrahmaHatya on him. Apart from that, the place itself was

polluted. When Ganga passed by, Shiva's sin was gone and

place became a very holy place - today's Varanasi.