The Story of Ganga

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.11.1)

नारद उवाच । श्रुतं पृथिव्युपाख्यानमतीव सुमनोहरम् । गङ्गोपाख्यानमधुना वद वेदविदांवर

nārada uvāca | śrutaṁ pṛthivyupākhyānamatīva sumanoharam | gaṅgopākhyānamadhunā vada vedavidāṁvara

Narada said: I have heard the exceedingly enchanting story of the Earth; now, O best of the knowers of the Veda, tell me the story of Ganga.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.11.2)

भारते भारतीशापात्सा जगाम सुरेश्वरी । विष्णुस्वरूपा परमा स्वयं विष्णुपदीति च

bhārate bhāratīśāpātsā jagāma sureśvarī | viṣṇusvarūpā paramā svayaṁ viṣṇupadīti ca

By Bharati's curse, that sovereign goddess went to Bharata; she is herself the supreme form of Vishnu, and is called "Vishnupadi," she who springs from Vishnu's foot.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.11.3)

कथं कुत्र युगे केन प्रार्थिता प्रेरिता पुरा । तत्क्रमं श्रोतुमिच्छामि पापघ्नं पुण्यदं शुभम्

kathaṁ kutra yuge kena prārthitā preritā purā | tatkramaṁ śrotumicchāmi pāpaghnaṁ puṇyadaṁ śubham

How, where, in which age, and by whose entreaty was she impelled to descend long ago — I wish to hear that whole account, sin-destroying, merit-bestowing, and auspicious.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.11.4)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । राजराजेश्वरः श्रीमान् सगरः सूर्यवंशजः । तस्य भार्या च वैदर्भी शैव्या च द्वे मनोहरे

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | rājarājeśvaraḥ śrīmān sagaraḥ sūryavaṁśajaḥ | tasya bhāryā ca vaidarbhī śaivyā ca dve manohare

Sri Narayana said: The majestic Sagara, sovereign lord of kings, born in the solar dynasty, had two lovely wives — Vaidarbhi and Shaivya.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.11.5)

तत्पत्न्यामेकपुत्रश्च बभूव सुमनोहरः । असमञ्ज इति ख्यातः शैव्यायां कुलवर्धनः

tatpatnyāmekaputraśca babhūva sumanoharaḥ | asamañja iti khyātaḥ śaivyāyāṁ kulavardhanaḥ

From that one wife was born a single, exceedingly handsome son, while from Shaivya was born the one who was to increase the lineage, known by the name Asamanja.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.11.6)

अन्या चाराधयामास शङ्करं पुत्रकामुकी । बभूव गर्भस्तस्याश्च हरस्य च वरेण ह

anyā cārādhayāmāsa śaṅkaraṁ putrakāmukī | babhūva garbhastasyāśca harasya ca vareṇa ha

The other wife, longing for a son, worshipped Shankara; by Hara's boon, she conceived a child.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.11.7)

गते शताब्दे पूर्णे च मांसपिण्डं सुषाव सा । तद् दृष्ट्वा सा शिवं ध्यात्वा रुरोदोच्चैः पुनः पुनः

gate śatābde pūrṇe ca māṁsapiṇḍaṁ suṣāva sā | tad dṛṣṭvā sā śivaṁ dhyātvā rurodoccaiḥ punaḥ punaḥ

When a full hundred years had passed, she gave birth to a mere lump of flesh; seeing it, she meditated on Shiva and wept loudly, again and again.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.11.8)

शम्भुर्ब्राह्मणरूपेण तत्समीपं जगाम ह । चकार संविभज्यैतत्पिण्डं षष्टिसहस्रधा

śambhurbrāhmaṇarūpeṇa tatsamīpaṁ jagāma ha | cakāra saṁvibhajyaitatpiṇḍaṁ ṣaṣṭisahasradhā

Shambhu, taking the form of a brahmin, came near to her; he divided that lump of flesh into sixty thousand parts.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.11.9)

सर्वे बभूवुः पुत्राश्च महाबलपराक्रमाः । ग्रीष्ममध्याह्नमार्तण्डप्रभामुष्टकलेवराः

sarve babhūvuḥ putrāśca mahābalaparākramāḥ | grīṣmamadhyāhnamārtaṇḍaprabhāmuṣṭakalevarāḥ

All of them became sons of mighty strength and valor, their bodies shaming even the splendor of the midday sun in summer.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.11.10)

कपिलस्य मुनेः शापाद् बभूवुर्भस्मसाच्च ते । राजा रुरोद तच्छ्रुत्वा जगाम गहने वने

kapilasya muneḥ śāpād babhūvurbhasmasācca te | rājā ruroda tacchrutvā jagāma gahane vane

By the curse of the sage Kapila, all of them were reduced to ashes; hearing this, the king wept and went off into the dense forest.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.11.11)

तपश्चकारासमञ्जो गङ्गानयनकारणात् । लक्षवर्षं तपस्तप्त्वा ममार कालयोगतः

tapaścakārāsamañjo gaṅgānayanakāraṇāt | lakṣavarṣaṁ tapastaptvā mamāra kālayogataḥ

Asamanja performed austerity for the sake of bringing down Ganga; having performed austerity for a hundred thousand years, he died in the course of time.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.11.12)

अंशुमांस्तस्य तनयो गङ्गानयनकारणात् । तपः कृत्वा लक्षवर्षं ममार कालयोगतः

aṁśumāṁstasya tanayo gaṅgānayanakāraṇāt | tapaḥ kṛtvā lakṣavarṣaṁ mamāra kālayogataḥ

His son Amshuman too, performing austerity for the sake of bringing down Ganga, died in the course of time, after a hundred thousand years.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.11.13)

भगीरथस्तस्य पुत्रो महाभागवतः सुधीः । वैष्णवो विष्णुभक्तश्च गुणवानजरामरः

bhagīrathastasya putro mahābhāgavataḥ sudhīḥ | vaiṣṇavo viṣṇubhaktaśca guṇavānajarāmaraḥ

His son was Bhagiratha, a great devotee, wise, a Vaishnava, devoted to Vishnu, virtuous, and unaging and undying.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.11.14)

तपः कृत्वा लक्षवर्षं गङ्गानयनकारणात् । ददर्श कृष्णं ग्रीष्मस्थसूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम्

tapaḥ kṛtvā lakṣavarṣaṁ gaṅgānayanakāraṇāt | dadarśa kṛṣṇaṁ grīṣmasthasūryakoṭisamaprabham

Performing austerity for a hundred thousand years for the sake of bringing down Ganga, he beheld Krishna, radiant as ten million summer suns.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.11.15)

द्विभुजं मुरलीहस्तं किशोरं गोपवेषिणम् । गोपालसुन्दरीरूपं भक्तानुग्रहरूपिणम्

dvibhujaṁ muralīhastaṁ kiśoraṁ gopaveṣiṇam | gopālasundarīrūpaṁ bhaktānugraharūpiṇam

two-armed, holding a flute, youthful, dressed as a cowherd, of the beautiful form of a cowherd, the very cause of grace toward devotees.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.11.16)

स्वेच्छामयं परं ब्रह्म परिपूर्णतमं प्रभुम् । ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवाद्यैश्च स्तुतं मुनिगणैर्नुतम्

svecchāmayaṁ paraṁ brahma paripūrṇatamaṁ prabhum | brahmaviṣṇuśivādyaiśca stutaṁ munigaṇairnutam

acting by his own free will, the Supreme Brahman, the most complete Lord, praised by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the rest, and revered by the hosts of sages —

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.11.17)

निर्लिप्तं साक्षिरूपं च निर्गुणं प्रकृतेः परम् । ईषद्धास्यप्रसन्नास्यं भक्तानुग्रहकारणम्

nirliptaṁ sākṣirūpaṁ ca nirguṇaṁ prakṛteḥ param | īṣaddhāsyaprasannāsyaṁ bhaktānugrahakāraṇam

untouched, of the very form of the witness, without attributes, beyond Prakriti, his face gently smiling and serene, the very cause of grace toward devotees —

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.11.18)

वह्निशुद्धांशुकाधानं रत्नभूषणभूषितम् । तुष्टाव दृष्ट्वा नृपतिः प्रणम्य च पुनः पुनः

vahniśuddhāṁśukādhānaṁ ratnabhūṣaṇabhūṣitam | tuṣṭāva dṛṣṭvā nṛpatiḥ praṇamya ca punaḥ punaḥ

clad in a garment pure as fire, adorned with jeweled ornaments — beholding him, the king prostrated again and again and offered praise.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.11.19)

लीलया च वरं प्राप वाञ्छितं वंशतारणम् । कृत्वा च स्तवनं दिव्यं पुलकाङ्कितविग्रहः

līlayā ca varaṁ prāpa vāñchitaṁ vaṁśatāraṇam | kṛtvā ca stavanaṁ divyaṁ pulakāṅkitavigrahaḥ

With ease he obtained the desired boon, the deliverance of his lineage; as he offered that divine hymn, his very body thrilled with joy.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.11.20)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । भारतं भारतीशापाद् गच्छ शीघ्रं सुरेश्वरि । सगरस्य सुतान्सर्वान्पूतान्कुरु ममाज्ञया

śrībhagavānuvāca | bhārataṁ bhāratīśāpād gaccha śīghraṁ sureśvari | sagarasya sutānsarvānpūtānkuru mamājñayā

The Blessed Lord said: O sovereign goddess, go swiftly, by Bharati's curse, to Bharata; by my command, purify all the sons of Sagara.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.11.21)

त्वत्स्पर्शवायुना पूता यास्यन्ति मम मन्दिरम् । बिभ्रतो मम मूर्तीश्च दिव्यस्यन्दनगामिनः

tvatsparśavāyunā pūtā yāsyanti mama mandiram | bibhrato mama mūrtīśca divyasyandanagāminaḥ

Purified by the very wind that carries your touch, they shall go to my own abode, bearing forms like mine, riding upon divine chariots.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.11.22)

मत्पार्षदा भविष्यन्ति सर्वकालं निरामयाः । समुच्छिद्य कर्मभोगान् कृताञ्जन्मनि जन्मनि

matpārṣadā bhaviṣyanti sarvakālaṁ nirāmayāḥ | samucchidya karmabhogān kṛtāñjanmani janmani

They shall become my own attendants, forever free from affliction, having utterly destroyed the fruits of the deeds accumulated across countless births.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.11.23)

कोटिजन्मार्जितं पापं भारते यत्कृतं नृभिः । गङ्गाया वातस्पर्शेन नश्यतीति श्रुतौ श्रुतम्

koṭijanmārjitaṁ pāpaṁ bhārate yatkṛtaṁ nṛbhiḥ | gaṅgāyā vātasparśena naśyatīti śrutau śrutam

Sin accumulated across a hundred million births, committed by men in Bharata, is destroyed by the mere touch of the breeze off Ganga — so it is heard in the scriptures.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.11.24)

स्पर्शनाद्दर्शनाद्देव्याः पुण्यं दशगुणं ततः । मौसलस्नानमात्रेण सामान्यदिवसे नृणाम्

sparśanāddarśanāddevyāḥ puṇyaṁ daśaguṇaṁ tataḥ | mausalasnānamātreṇa sāmānyadivase nṛṇām

By the touch and sight of the goddess, tenfold greater merit is attained than that; by mere ordinary bathing in her, on an ordinary day —

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.11.25)

शतकोटिजन्मपापं नश्यतीति श्रुतौ श्रुतम् । यानि कानि च पापानि ब्रह्महत्यादिकानि च

śatakoṭijanmapāpaṁ naśyatīti śrutau śrutam | yāni kāni ca pāpāni brahmahatyādikāni ca

sin accumulated across a hundred million births is destroyed — so it is heard in the scriptures; whatever sins there are, including even the killing of a brahmin —

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.11.26)

जन्मसङ्ख्यार्जितान्येव कामतोऽपि कृतानि च । तानि सर्वाणि नश्यन्ति मौसलस्नानतो नृणाम्

janmasaṅkhyārjitānyeva kāmato'pi kṛtāni ca | tāni sarvāṇi naśyanti mausalasnānato nṛṇām

whether accumulated across many births or committed deliberately, all of them are destroyed for men by mere ordinary bathing in her.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.11.27)

पुण्याहस्नानतः पुण्यं वेदा नैव वदन्ति च । किञ्चिद्वदन्ति ते विप्र फलमेव यथागमम्

puṇyāhasnānataḥ puṇyaṁ vedā naiva vadanti ca | kiñcidvadanti te vipra phalameva yathāgamam

The merit gained by bathing on an auspicious day is such that even the Vedas cannot fully declare it; O brahmin, they can tell only a fraction of its fruit, according to tradition.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.11.28)

ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवाद्याश्च सर्वं नैव वदन्ति च । सामान्यदिवसस्नानसङ्कल्पं शृणु सुन्दरि

brahmaviṣṇuśivādyāśca sarvaṁ naiva vadanti ca | sāmānyadivasasnānasaṅkalpaṁ śṛṇu sundari

Even Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the rest cannot declare it in full; O lovely one, now hear the fruit of the mere resolve to bathe on an ordinary day.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.11.29)

पुण्यं दशगुणं चैव मौसलस्नानतः परम् । ततस्त्रिंशद्गुणं पुण्यं रविसङ्क्रमणे दिने

puṇyaṁ daśaguṇaṁ caiva mausalasnānataḥ param | tatastriṁśadguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ ravisaṅkramaṇe dine

Ten times greater merit still comes from ordinary bathing; and thirty times greater merit comes on the day of the sun's solstitial transit.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.11.30)

अमायां चापि तत्तुल्यं द्विगुणं दक्षिणायने । ततो दशगुणं पुण्यं नराणामुत्तरायणे

amāyāṁ cāpi tattulyaṁ dviguṇaṁ dakṣiṇāyane | tato daśaguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ narāṇāmuttarāyaṇe

On the new moon, merit equal to that; in the southern course of the sun, twice that; and ten times greater merit for men in the northern course of the sun.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.11.31)

चातुर्मास्यां पौर्णमास्यामनन्तं पुण्यमेव च । अक्षयायां च तत्तुल्यं चैतद्वेदे निरूपितम्

cāturmāsyāṁ paurṇamāsyāmanantaṁ puṇyameva ca | akṣayāyāṁ ca tattulyaṁ caitadvede nirūpitam

On the full moon of the four holy months, merit becomes truly infinite; and equal merit on Akshaya Tritiya — this is laid down in the Veda.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.11.32)

असङ्ख्यपुण्यफलदमेतेषु स्नानदानकम् । सामान्यदिवसस्नानाद्दानाच्छतगुणं फलम्

asaṅkhyapuṇyaphaladameteṣu snānadānakam | sāmānyadivasasnānāddānācchataguṇaṁ phalam

Bathing and giving alms on these occasions yields merit beyond counting; a hundred times greater fruit than that from bathing and giving on an ordinary day.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.11.33)

मन्वन्तराद्यायां तिथौ युगाद्यायां तथैव च । माघस्य सितसप्तम्यां भीष्माष्टम्यां तथैव च

manvantarādyāyāṁ tithau yugādyāyāṁ tathaiva ca | māghasya sitasaptamyāṁ bhīṣmāṣṭamyāṁ tathaiva ca

On the tithi marking the start of a Manvantara, on that marking the start of an age, on the seventh day of Magha's bright half, and on Bhishma Ashtami —

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.11.34)

अथाप्यशोकाष्टम्यां च नवम्यां च तथा हरेः । ततोऽपि द्विगुणं पुण्यं नन्दायां तव दुर्लभम्

athāpyaśokāṣṭamyāṁ ca navamyāṁ ca tathā hareḥ | tato'pi dviguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ nandāyāṁ tava durlabham

and on Ashoka Ashtami, and on Hari's own ninth day too — even twice that merit comes on the Nanda tithi, rare a merit even for you.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.11.35)

दशहरादशम्यां तु युगाद्यादिसमं फलम् । नन्दासमं च वारुण्यां महत्पूर्वे चतुर्गुणम्

daśaharādaśamyāṁ tu yugādyādisamaṁ phalam | nandāsamaṁ ca vāruṇyāṁ mahatpūrve caturguṇam

On the tenth day of Dashahara, fruit equal to that of the start of an age; on the Varuni yoga, equal to the Nanda tithi; and before a great festival, fourfold —

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.11.36)

ततश्चतुर्गुणं पुण्यं द्विमहत्पूर्वके सति । पुण्यं कोटिगुणं चैव सामान्यस्नानतोऽपि यत्

tataścaturguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ dvimahatpūrvake sati | puṇyaṁ koṭiguṇaṁ caiva sāmānyasnānato'pi yat

and fourfold greater merit still when two great festivals coincide; and merit even a hundred million times greater than that of ordinary bathing —

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.11.37)

चन्द्रोपरागसमये सूर्ये दशगुणं ततः । पुण्यमर्धोदये काले ततः शतगुणं फलम्

candroparāgasamaye sūrye daśaguṇaṁ tataḥ | puṇyamardhodaye kāle tataḥ śataguṇaṁ phalam

at the time of a lunar eclipse; tenfold greater at a solar eclipse; and a hundredfold greater fruit at the time of Ardhodaya.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.11.38)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा देवेशो विरराम तयोः पुरः । तमुवाच ततो गङ्गा भक्तिनम्राऽऽत्मकन्धरा

ityevamuktvā deveśo virarāma tayoḥ puraḥ | tamuvāca tato gaṅgā bhaktinamrā''tmakandharā

Having said this, the Lord of the gods fell silent before the two of them; then Ganga, her head bowed low in devotion, said to him —

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.11.39)

गङ्गोवाच । यामि चेद्भारतं नाथ भारतीशापतः पुरा । तवाज्ञया च राजेन्द्र तपसा चैव साम्प्रतम्

gaṅgovāca | yāmi cedbhārataṁ nātha bhāratīśāpataḥ purā | tavājñayā ca rājendra tapasā caiva sāmpratam

Ganga said: O Lord, if I am to go now to Bharata, through Bharati's curse of old, by your own command, and by the austerity of this king —

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.11.40)

दास्यन्ति पापिनो मह्यं पापानि यानि कानि च । तानि मे केन नश्यन्ति तमुपायं वद प्रभो

dāsyanti pāpino mahyaṁ pāpāni yāni kāni ca | tāni me kena naśyanti tamupāyaṁ vada prabho

then whatever sins sinners shall give to me, by what means shall those sins of mine be destroyed? O Lord, tell me that remedy.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.11.41)

कतिकालं परिमितं स्थितिर्मे तत्र भारते । कदा यास्यामि देवेश तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्

katikālaṁ parimitaṁ sthitirme tatra bhārate | kadā yāsyāmi deveśa tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

For how long a fixed span shall my sojourn in Bharata last, and, O Lord of gods, when shall I return to that supreme abode of Vishnu?

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.11.42)

ममान्यद्वाञ्छितं यद्यत्सर्वं जानासि सर्ववित् । सर्वान्तरात्मन् सर्वज्ञ तदुपायं वद प्रभो

mamānyadvāñchitaṁ yadyatsarvaṁ jānāsi sarvavit | sarvāntarātman sarvajña tadupāyaṁ vada prabho

O all-knowing one, whatever other desires I hold, you know them all; O Self within all, O all-knowing one, tell me the means to fulfill those too, my Lord.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.11.43)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । जानामि वाञ्छितं गङ्गे तव सर्वं सुरेश्वरि । पतिस्ते द्रवरूपाया लवणोदो भविष्यति

śrībhagavānuvāca | jānāmi vāñchitaṁ gaṅge tava sarvaṁ sureśvari | patiste dravarūpāyā lavaṇodo bhaviṣyati

The Blessed Lord said: O sovereign Ganga, I know all your desires; your husband, since you are of liquid form, shall be the salt ocean.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.11.44)

स ममांशस्वरूपश्च त्वं च लक्ष्मीस्वरूपिणी । विदग्धाया विदग्धेन सङ्गमो गुणवान् भुवि

sa mamāṁśasvarūpaśca tvaṁ ca lakṣmīsvarūpiṇī | vidagdhāyā vidagdhena saṅgamo guṇavān bhuvi

He is a portion of myself, and you too are of the form of Lakshmi; the union of one skilled being with another skilled being is, on earth, a fitting and virtuous match.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.11.45)

यावत्यः सन्ति नद्यश्च भारत्याद्याश्च भारते । सौभाग्या त्वं च तास्वेव लवणोदस्य सौरते

yāvatyaḥ santi nadyaśca bhāratyādyāśca bhārate | saubhāgyā tvaṁ ca tāsveva lavaṇodasya saurate

Among all the rivers there are in Bharata, Bharati and the rest, you alone shall be the most fortunate in the loving embrace of the salt ocean.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.11.46)

अद्यप्रभृति देवेशि कलेः पञ्चसहस्रकम् । वर्षं स्थितिस्ते भारत्याः शापेन भारते भुवि

adyaprabhṛti deveśi kaleḥ pañcasahasrakam | varṣaṁ sthitiste bhāratyāḥ śāpena bhārate bhuvi

O sovereign goddess, from this day forth, by Bharati's curse, your dwelling on the soil of Bharata shall last for five thousand years of the Kali age.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.11.47)

नित्यं त्वमब्धिना सार्धं करिष्यसि रहो रतिम् । त्वमेव रसिका देवि रसिकेन्द्रेण संयुता

nityaṁ tvamabdhinā sārdhaṁ kariṣyasi raho ratim | tvameva rasikā devi rasikendreṇa saṁyutā

You shall ever, in secret, share loving union with the ocean; O goddess, being yourself the very connoisseur of delight, you shall be joined with that foremost connoisseur.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.11.48)

त्वां स्तोष्यन्ति च स्तोत्रेण भगीरथकृतेन च । भारतस्था जनाः सर्वे पूजयिष्यन्ति भक्तितः

tvāṁ stoṣyanti ca stotreṇa bhagīrathakṛtena ca | bhāratasthā janāḥ sarve pūjayiṣyanti bhaktitaḥ

With the hymn composed by Bhagiratha, people shall praise you; all the people dwelling in Bharata shall worship you with devotion.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.9.11.49)

कण्वशाखोक्तध्यानेन ध्यात्वा त्वां पूजयिष्यति । यः स्तौति प्रणमेन्नित्यं सोऽश्वमेधफलं लभेत्

kaṇvaśākhoktadhyānena dhyātvā tvāṁ pūjayiṣyati | yaḥ stauti praṇamennityaṁ so'śvamedhaphalaṁ labhet

Meditating upon you by the meditation declared in the Kanva branch, they shall worship you; whoever daily praises and bows to you obtains the fruit of a horse-sacrifice.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.9.11.50)

गङ्गा गङ्गेति यो ब्रूयाद्योजनानां शतैरपि । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

gaṅgā gaṅgeti yo brūyādyojanānāṁ śatairapi | mucyate sarvapāpebhyo viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever, even from a hundred yojanas away, merely utters "Ganga, Ganga," is freed from every sin and goes to Vishnu's realm.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.9.11.51)

सहस्रपापिनां स्नानाद्यत्पापं ते भविष्यति । प्रकृतेर्भक्तसंस्पर्शादेव तद्धि विनङ्क्ष्यति

sahasrapāpināṁ snānādyatpāpaṁ te bhaviṣyati | prakṛterbhaktasaṁsparśādeva taddhi vinaṅkṣyati

Whatever sin shall come to you from the bathing of a thousand sinners, that shall be destroyed by the mere touch of a devotee of Prakriti.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.9.11.52)

पापिनां तु सहस्राणां शवस्पर्शेन यत्त्वयि । तन्मन्त्रोपासकस्नानात्तदघं च विनङ्क्ष्यति

pāpināṁ tu sahasrāṇāṁ śavasparśena yattvayi | tanmantropāsakasnānāttadaghaṁ ca vinaṅkṣyati

Whatever sin shall attach to you from the touch of the corpses of a thousand sinners, that too shall be destroyed by the mere bathing of one who worships my mantra.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.9.11.53)

तत्रैव त्वमधिष्ठानं करिष्यस्यघमोचनम् । सार्धं सरिद्भिः श्रेष्ठाभिः सरस्वत्यादिभिः शुभे

tatraiva tvamadhiṣṭhānaṁ kariṣyasyaghamocanam | sārdhaṁ saridbhiḥ śreṣṭhābhiḥ sarasvatyādibhiḥ śubhe

There, O gracious one, you shall become the very seat of liberation from sin, together with the finest rivers, Sarasvati and the rest.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.9.11.54)

तत्तु तीर्थं भवेत्सद्यो यत्र त्वद्गुणकीर्तनम् । त्वद्रेणुस्पर्शमात्रेण पूतो भवति पातकी

tattu tīrthaṁ bhavetsadyo yatra tvadguṇakīrtanam | tvadreṇusparśamātreṇa pūto bhavati pātakī

Wherever your qualities are chanted, that place instantly becomes a sacred ford; by the mere touch of your dust, even a sinner becomes purified.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.9.11.55)

रेणुप्रमाणवर्षं च देवीलोके वसेद् ध्रुवम् । ज्ञानेन त्वयि ये भक्त्या मन्नामस्मृतिपूर्वकम्

reṇupramāṇavarṣaṁ ca devīloke vased dhruvam | jñānena tvayi ye bhaktyā mannāmasmṛtipūrvakam

he certainly dwells in the realm of the Goddess for as many years as there are particles of your dust; those who, with knowledge and devotion to you, remembering my own name —

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.9.11.56)

समुत्सृजन्ति प्राणांश्च ते गच्छन्ति हरेः पदम् । पार्षदप्रवरास्ते च भविष्यन्ति हरेश्चिरम्

samutsṛjanti prāṇāṁśca te gacchanti hareḥ padam | pārṣadapravarāste ca bhaviṣyanti hareściram

give up their life-breath, go to the supreme abode of Hari; they become, for a long time, the foremost attendants of Hari.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.9.11.57)

लयं प्राकृतिकं ते च द्रक्ष्यन्ति चाप्यसङ्ख्यकम् । मृतस्य बहुपुण्येन तच्छवं त्वयि विन्यसेत्

layaṁ prākṛtikaṁ te ca drakṣyanti cāpyasaṅkhyakam | mṛtasya bahupuṇyena tacchavaṁ tvayi vinyaset

They shall witness even the elemental dissolution countless times over. If, through some great merit of the deceased, his corpse is placed within you —

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.9.11.58)

प्रयाति स च वैकुण्ठं यावदह्नः स्थितिस्त्वयि । कायव्यूहं ततः कृत्वा भोजयित्वा स्वकर्मकम्

prayāti sa ca vaikuṇṭhaṁ yāvadahnaḥ sthitistvayi | kāyavyūhaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā bhojayitvā svakarmakam

he goes to Vaikuntha, for as many days as his remains lie within you; thereafter, fashioning for him a subtle body, and having him experience the remainder of his own karma —

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.9.11.59)

तस्मै ददामि सारूप्यं करोमि तं च पार्षदम् । अज्ञानी त्वज्जलस्पर्शाद्यदि प्राणान्समुत्सृजेत्

tasmai dadāmi sārūpyaṁ karomi taṁ ca pārṣadam | ajñānī tvajjalasparśādyadi prāṇānsamutsṛjet

I grant him my own likeness of form, and make him my own attendant. If even one without knowledge should give up his life through the mere touch of your water —

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.9.11.60)

तस्मै ददामि सालोक्यं करोमि तं च पार्षदम् । अन्यत्र वा त्यजेत्प्राणांस्त्वन्नामस्मृतिपूर्वकम्

tasmai dadāmi sālokyaṁ karomi taṁ ca pārṣadam | anyatra vā tyajetprāṇāṁstvannāmasmṛtipūrvakam

I grant him a place in my own realm, and make him my own attendant. Or if one, even elsewhere, gives up his life while remembering your very name —

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.9.11.61)

तस्मै ददामि सालोक्यं यावद्वै ब्रह्मणो वयः । अन्यत्र वा त्यजेत्प्राणांस्त्वन्नामस्मृतिपूर्वकम्

tasmai dadāmi sālokyaṁ yāvadvai brahmaṇo vayaḥ | anyatra vā tyajetprāṇāṁstvannāmasmṛtipūrvakam

I grant him a place in my own realm for a span equal to the lifetime of Brahma; or if he, even elsewhere, gives up his life while remembering your name —

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.9.11.62)

तस्मै ददामि सारूप्यमसङ्ख्यं प्राकृतं लयम् । रत्नेन्द्रसारनिर्माणयानेन सह पार्षदैः

tasmai dadāmi sārūpyamasaṅkhyaṁ prākṛtaṁ layam | ratnendrasāranirmāṇayānena saha pārṣadaiḥ

I grant him my own likeness of form, lasting even through countless elemental dissolutions; upon a chariot fashioned of the finest gems, together with my attendants —

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.9.11.63)

सद्यः प्रयाति गोलोकं मम तुल्यो भवेद् ध्रुवम् । तीर्थेऽप्यतीर्थे मरणे विशेषो नास्ति कश्चन

sadyaḥ prayāti golokaṁ mama tulyo bhaved dhruvam | tīrthe'pyatīrthe maraṇe viśeṣo nāsti kaścana

he goes at once to Goloka, and certainly becomes equal to me. Whether death occurs at a sacred ford or elsewhere makes no difference at all, when such devotion is present.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.9.11.64)

मन्मन्त्रोपासकानां तु नित्यं नैवेद्यभोजिनाम् । पूतं कर्तुं सशक्तो हि लीलया भुवनत्रयम्

manmantropāsakānāṁ tu nityaṁ naivedyabhojinām | pūtaṁ kartuṁ saśakto hi līlayā bhuvanatrayam

Those who worship my mantra and who ever partake of my food-offerings are indeed capable, through mere play, of purifying the three worlds.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.9.11.65)

रत्नेन्द्रसारयानेन गोलोकं सम्प्रयान्ति च । मद्भक्ता बान्धवा येषां तेऽपि पश्वादयोऽपि हि

ratnendrasārayānena golokaṁ samprayānti ca | madbhaktā bāndhavā yeṣāṁ te'pi paśvādayo'pi hi

They go to Goloka upon a chariot fashioned of the finest gems; and those whose kinsmen, even including their animals and the like, are my devotees —

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.9.11.66)

प्रयान्ति रत्नयानेन गोलोकं चातिदुर्लभम् । यत्र यत्र स्मृतास्ते च ज्ञानेन ज्ञानिनः सति

prayānti ratnayānena golokaṁ cātidurlabham | yatra yatra smṛtāste ca jñānena jñāninaḥ sati

they too go by that jeweled chariot to that most rare Goloka; O virtuous one, wherever they are called to mind, in knowledge, by the wise —

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.9.11.67)

जीवन्मुक्ताश्च ते पूता मद्भक्तेः संविधानतः । इत्युक्त्वा श्रीहरिस्तांश्च प्रत्युवाच भगीरथम्

jīvanmuktāśca te pūtā madbhakteḥ saṁvidhānataḥ | ityuktvā śrīharistāṁśca pratyuvāca bhagīratham

they become liberated while living, and purified, through the ordinance of devotion to me. Having said this, Sri Hari replied to them both, and to Bhagiratha.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.9.11.68)

स्तुहि गङ्गामिमां भक्त्या पूजां च कुरु साम्प्रतम् । भगीरथस्तां तुष्टाव पूजयामास भक्तितः

stuhi gaṅgāmimāṁ bhaktyā pūjāṁ ca kuru sāmpratam | bhagīrathastāṁ tuṣṭāva pūjayāmāsa bhaktitaḥ

He said: Praise this Ganga with devotion, and now perform her worship. Bhagiratha praised her, and worshipped her with devotion.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.9.11.69)

कौथुमोक्तेन ध्यानेन स्तोत्रेणापि पुनः पुनः । प्रणनाम च श्रीकृष्णं परमात्मानमीश्वरम्

kauthumoktena dhyānena stotreṇāpi punaḥ punaḥ | praṇanāma ca śrīkṛṣṇaṁ paramātmānamīśvaram

With the meditation and hymn declared in the Kauthuma branch, again and again, he also prostrated before Sri Krishna, the Supreme Self and Lord.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.9.11.70)

भगीरथश्च गङ्गा च सोऽन्तर्धानं चकार ह । नारद उवाच । केन ध्यानेन स्तोत्रेण केन पूजाक्रमेण च

bhagīrathaśca gaṅgā ca so'ntardhānaṁ cakāra ha | nārada uvāca | kena dhyānena stotreṇa kena pūjākrameṇa ca

Before both Bhagiratha and Ganga, he vanished from sight. Narada said: With what meditation, what hymn, and what order of worship —

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.9.11.71)

पूजां चकार नृपतिर्वद वेदविदांवर । श्रीनारायण उवाच । स्नात्वा नित्यक्रियां कृत्वा धृत्वा धौते च वाससी

pūjāṁ cakāra nṛpatirvada vedavidāṁvara | śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | snātvā nityakriyāṁ kṛtvā dhṛtvā dhaute ca vāsasī

did the king perform the worship — tell me, O best of the knowers of the Veda. Sri Narayana said: Having bathed, performed his daily rites, and put on two freshly washed garments —

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.9.11.72)

सम्पूज्य देवषट्कं च संयतो भक्तिपूर्वकम् । गणेशं च दिनेशं च वह्निं विष्णुं शिवं शिवाम्

sampūjya devaṣaṭkaṁ ca saṁyato bhaktipūrvakam | gaṇeśaṁ ca dineśaṁ ca vahniṁ viṣṇuṁ śivaṁ śivām

self-restrained, with devotion, he worshipped the group of six deities — Ganesha, the Sun, Fire, Vishnu, Shiva, and Parvati —

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.9.11.73)

सम्पूज्य देवषट्कं च सोऽधिकारी च पूजने । गणेशं विघ्ननाशाय आरोग्याय दिवाकरम्

sampūjya devaṣaṭkaṁ ca so'dhikārī ca pūjane | gaṇeśaṁ vighnanāśāya ārogyāya divākaram

only by worshipping this group of six does one become entitled to worship the Goddess — Ganesha for the removal of obstacles, the Sun for health —

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.9.11.74)

वह्निं शौचाय विष्णुं च लक्ष्यर्थं पूजयेन्नरः । शिवं ज्ञानाय ज्ञानेशं शिवां च मुक्तिसिद्धये

vahniṁ śaucāya viṣṇuṁ ca lakṣyarthaṁ pūjayennaraḥ | śivaṁ jñānāya jñāneśaṁ śivāṁ ca muktisiddhaye

Fire for purity, Vishnu for the accomplishment of one's aim, Shiva, lord of knowledge, for wisdom, and Parvati for the attainment of liberation.

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.9.11.75)

सम्पूज्यैताँल्लभेत्प्राज्ञो विपरीतमतोऽन्यथा । दध्यावनेन ध्यानेन तद्ध्यानं शृणु नारद

sampūjyaitā~llabhetprājño viparītamato'nyathā | dadhyāvanena dhyānena taddhyānaṁ śṛṇu nārada

By worshipping these, the wise man obtains his fruit — otherwise the reverse comes to pass; he then meditated upon Ganga with this very meditation — O Narada, hear that meditation now.