Bhagirath, riding on a celestial chariot, descended from the heavens, leading the sacred river, Ganga. The gods, showering flowers upon him, blessed his divine mission. As Bhagirath approached the majestic Sumeru Mountain, a formidable range adorned with numerous peaks and intricate tunnels at its base, Ganga followed closely behind.
Upon reaching the base of the mountain, Ganga began to flow
through its labyrinthine tunnels. However, she soon found herself lost within
an underground cave, unable to find an exit. Noticing Ganga's absence,
Bhagirath retraced his steps and fervently prayed to her, imploring her to
continue her journey to provide salvation to his ancestors.
Ganga, echoing from the depths of the mountain, explained
her predicament. She urged Bhagirath to seek the help of Airavat, the mighty
elephant of Indra, to break through the mountain and create a passage for her.
Determined, Bhagirath began to pray to Indra, beseeching him to send Airavat to
their aid.
Moved by Bhagirath's devotion, Indra arrived at Sumeru,
riding upon the majestic Airavat. With his mighty presence, the entire
landscape seemed to resonate with divine energy. Airavat, a celestial being
with four magnificent tusks, stood as a symbol of strength and power.
Using his powerful tusks, Airavat tore open the mountain's
peak, creating a pathway for Ganga. From the four gaps created by Airavat's
tusks, Ganga emerged in four distinct forms, each representing a different
aspect of her divine essence. These forms were named Vasu, Bhadra, Shweta, and
Alaknanda.
- Vasu: The first form of Ganga, Vasu, ascended heavenward, symbolizing the purifying and sustaining aspects of the river. Vasu represented the life-giving force of Ganga, nourishing the heavens with her pristine waters.
- Bhadra: The second form, Bhadra, also rose to the heavens. Bhadra embodied the benevolent and auspicious qualities of Ganga, blessing the celestial realms with her grace and purity.
- Shweta: The third form, Shweta, followed the path to the heavens as well. Shweta, with her radiant white waters, signified purity and serenity, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to the divine spheres.
- Alaknanda: The fourth form, Alaknanda, chose to stay on Earth. Alaknanda represented the enduring and compassionate nature of Ganga, dedicating herself to the welfare of humanity. Flowing through the terrestrial realms, Alaknanda provided life, sustenance, and spiritual cleansing to all beings on Earth.
As Alaknanda continued her journey on Earth, she ensured
that Bhagirath's ancestors received the salvation they had long sought. The
sacred river, in her four forms, became a bridge between the mortal and the
divine, connecting the realms and bestowing blessings upon all.
Through the tireless efforts of Bhagirath and the divine
intervention of Indra and Airavat, Ganga's descent was completed. The river's
journey through the heavens and the Earth symbolized the eternal flow of
purity, grace, and compassion, a reminder of the interconnectedness of all
existence.