Mythology - Birth of the holy Ganga

The Ganga, regarded by many Indians to be one of the most holy rivers in India, has its roots in the rich fabric of Indian legend. With so many stories about its birth, it would be difficult to put them all down. Here are a few.

Considered as one of the two daughters of Meru (the Himalayas), the other being Uma, consort of Shiva, the river is said to have originated when Brahma performed the task of washing the feet of Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. But then, there are numerous other legends all pertaining to the origin of the holy river.

For instance, it is said that it was Bhagiratha who brought the river down to the earth in an act of penance, in order to purify the ashes of his forefathers who had been cursed by Kapila Muni.

According to mythology, the earth was unable to bear the force of the celestial river. Thus, the Gods requested Lord Shiva to support the river upon his long, matted hair and help to calm its tremendous force. Therefore, the Ganga has always been seen as one of Shiva's consorts, as in numerous depictions, he is shown with the river flowing with the support of his matted hair.

Yet another legend that exists pertaining to the origin of the river is that Ganga appeared on earth in a human form. She married an ancestor of the Pandavas, King Shantanu. She bore him seven children and it is said that she threw each child back into the river. Why she did so is lost in the mists of myth. But the eighth child, Bheeshma, was spared due to the King's intervention.

The Ganga is also known as the Jahnavi. This is because, according to legend, the river interrupted the meditative penance of a sage called Jahnu. In his fury, he proceeded to drink the entire river. He relented later, however, and permitted her to flow out through his ear, hence the name Jahnavi.