Ganga Ashtakam In English
Ganga Ashtakam(Ganga Ashtakam In English) is a sacred hymn composed in praise of the holy River Ganga, which is revered as a divine entity in Hinduism. It consists of eight verses (Ashtakam means a composition of eight stanzas), each extolling the purity, spiritual significance, and divine blessings associated with the river. This hymn is believed to have been composed by Adi Shankaracharya, a great Indian philosopher and saint, although some other versions exist as well.
Significance of River Ganga in Hinduism
River Ganga, also called Ganga Mata (Mother Ganga), holds immense religious and spiritual significance in Hindu traditions. It is considered the most sacred river, with the power to purify sins and grant liberation (Moksha) to those who bathe in its waters or chant its praises. The river is believed to have descended from the heavens to the Earth through the efforts of King Bhagiratha, making it a divine blessing for humankind.
Structure and Meaning of Ganga Ashtakam
Each verse of Ganga Ashtakam glorifies the river, describing its divine origins, its ability to wash away sins, and its role in guiding devotees toward salvation. Below is an overview of the key themes found in the hymn:
- Divine Origin: The hymn describes how Ganga originates from the feet of Lord Vishnu and flows through the heavens before reaching Earth.
- Purification Power: It highlights how even a single drop of Ganga water can purify the greatest of sins and lead to spiritual liberation.
- Association with Sages and Saints: The river is praised for being the source of spiritual energy, where many sages and yogis perform their penance.
- Connection to Lord Shiva: The hymn recalls how Lord Shiva held Ganga in his matted locks to prevent its mighty descent from causing destruction.
- Healing and Liberation: Bathing in or drinking Ganga water is believed to heal diseases, bring peace of mind, and lead to salvation.
- Spiritual Blessings: The hymn encourages devotees to chant the name of Ganga, take a holy dip, and seek her blessings for a righteous life.
- Final Liberation: It concludes by stating that those who revere and pray to Ganga with devotion will attain freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
Benefits of Reciting Ganga Ashtakam
- Spiritual Purification: Removes sins and impurities of the mind and soul.
- Peace and Prosperity: Brings divine blessings, peace, and spiritual upliftment.
- Freedom from Suffering: Helps overcome hardships and mental distress.
- Moksha (Liberation): Assists in attaining salvation after death.
Best Time and Method of Recitation
- Ganga Ashtakam is best recited in the early morning or during Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn hours).
- It can be chanted near the banks of River Ganga or in a temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga.
- Devotees can also chant it while offering Ganga water in their daily prayers.
Ganga Ashtakam In English
bhagavati bhavalīlāmauḻimālē tavāmbhaḥ
kaṇamaṇuparimāṇaṃ prāṇinō yē spṛśanti ।
amaranagaranārīchāmaragrāhiṇīnāṃ
vigatakalikalaṅkātaṅkamaṅkē luṭhanti ॥ 1 ॥
brahmāṇḍaṃ khaṇḍayantī haraśirasi jaṭāvallimullāsayantī
svarlōkādāpatantī kanakagiriguhāgaṇḍaśailāt skhalantī ।
kṣōṇīpṛṣṭē luṭhantī duritachayachamūrnirbharaṃ bhartsayantī
pāthōdhiṃ pūrayantī suranagarasaritpāvanī naḥ punātu ॥ 2 ॥
majjanmātaṅgakumbhachyutamadamadirāmōdamattālijālaṃ
snānaiḥ siddhāṅganānāṃ kuchayugavigalatkuṅkumāsaṅgapiṅgam ।
sāyaṃ prātarmunīnāṃ kuśakusumachayaiśChinnatīrasthanīraṃ
pāyānnō gāṅgamambhaḥ karikaramakarākrāntarahastaraṅgam ॥ 3 ॥
ādāvādipitāmahasya niyamavyāpārapātrē jalaṃ
paśchātpannagaśāyinō bhagavataḥ pādōdakaṃ pāvanam ।
bhūyaḥ śambhujaṭāvibhūṣaṇamaṇirjahnōrmaharṣēriyaṃ
kanyā kalmaṣanāśinī bhagavatī bhāgīrathī pātu mām ॥ 4 ॥
śailēndrādavatāriṇī nijajalē majjajjanōttāriṇī
pārāvāravihāriṇī bhavabhayaśrēṇīsamutsāriṇī ।
śēṣāṅgairanukāriṇī haraśirōvallīdaḻākāriṇī
kāśīprāntavihāriṇī vijayatē gaṅgā manōhāriṇī ॥ 5 ॥
kutō vīchī vīchistava yadi gatā lōchanapathaṃ
tvamāpītā pītāmbarapuravāsaṃ vitarasi ।
tvadutsaṅgē gaṅgē patati yadi kāyastanubhṛtāṃ
tadā mātaḥ śāntakratavapadalābhō’pyatilaghuḥ ॥ 6 ॥
bhagavati tava tīrē nīramātrāśanō’haṃ
vigataviṣayatṛṣṇaḥ kṛṣṇamārādhayāmi ।
sakalakaluṣabhaṅgē svargasōpānasaṅgē
taralatarataraṅgē dēvi gaṅgē prasīda ॥ 7 ॥
mātarjāhnavi śambhusaṅgamilitē mauḻau nidhāyāñjaliṃ
tvattīrē vapuṣō’vasānasamayē nārāyaṇāṅghridvayam ।
sānandaṃ smaratō bhaviṣyati mama prāṇaprayāṇōtsavē
bhūyādbhaktiravichyutā hariharādvaitātmikā śāśvatī ॥ 8 ॥
gaṅgāṣṭakamidaṃ puṇyaṃ yaḥ paṭhētprayatō naraḥ ।
sarvapāpavinirmuktō viṣṇulōkaṃ sa gachChati ॥ 9 ॥
iti śrīmatparamahaṃsaparivrājakāchāryasya śrīgōvindabhagavatpūjyapādaśiṣyasya śrīmachChaṅkarabhagavataḥ kṛtau gaṅgāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇam ।
