Ganga Chalisa

Hail the mother who destroys the very mine of sins. Queen Ganga is the one who brings joy and gladness to all who turn to her.

Victory to her who came down through the penance of Bhagirath, mother and river of the gods. She is famed as the one who tears out the root of the impurities of this dark age.

Praise to the daughter of sage Jahnu, slayer of sin, who was mother to Bhishma and is mother of the whole world.

Her form shines white like the petals of a lotus, so radiant that a hundred autumn moons feel shy before her glow.

She rides her pure, shining crocodile mount, and the pot of nectar she holds in her hand captivates the heart of all who behold it.

She is adorned with gold ornaments set with jewels, and the gem-garland upon her breast drives away every fault and all the darkness of ignorance.

Purifier of the world, she removes the three kinds of suffering. Her tall, restless waves delight and uplift the mind.

Even before worshipping Ganapati, who is honoured first among all deities, a devotee bathes in Ganga, so primary is her sanctity.

This goddess once dwelt in the water-pot of Brahma and joyfully served at the lotus feet of the Lord Vishnu.

She liberated the sixty thousand sons of King Sagar, and from that deed the holy site of Ganga Sagar took its name.

Her deep, surging waves gladden the heart, and the lovely pilgrim-town of Haridwar comes into view along her course.

At Prayag, king of holy places with its undying banyan, and onward at Kashi, the mother holds her sacred ground.

Blessed is the river of the gods, the very stairway to heaven, who ferries countless souls and grants rest to the feet of one's forefathers.

When Bhagirath performed his great austerity, Brahma granted that the heavenly stream of Ganga should flow down to the earth.

As the mother of the world rushed down with a roar, Shiva caught and held her within his vast matted locks.

For a full year Queen Ganga wandered lost within Shiva's hair, unable to find her way out.

Bhagirath again prayed to Shiva, and only then did a single drop of Ganga slip free from the matted locks to flow on earth.

From there the mother became three streams, flowing through the world of mortals, the heavens above, and the netherworld below.

In the netherworld she is called Bhogavati, and in the sky she shines as the lovely Mandakini.

On earth she flows as the gracious Jahnavi, beyond reach of sin, the world-purifier who washes away the stains of this age.

Blessed mother, immense is your glory. You are the pillar of righteousness and the axe that cuts down the filth of the Kali age.

Blessed is mother Bhogavati, blessed the Mandakini, blessed the heavenly river who destroys every fear of her devotees.

By drinking the clear water of Ganga, a person obtains endless rewards and the desires of the heart are fulfilled.

Only when the merit of past lives awakens does the mind settle firmly in devotion to the great Ganga.

Every step taken toward the holy river earns the same reward as completing an Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Even great sinners whom no one else could save are carried across by the single utterance of your name.

Those who meditate on Ganga even from a hundred yojanas away surely attain a place in the abode of Vishnu.

Chanting her name destroys countless sins and lights up the mind with pure knowledge, strength and clear understanding.

Just as wealth is the basis of charity and dharma, so the drinking of Ganga's water is itself a root of righteousness.

Reciting your virtues drives away sorrow, and in every home prosperity and good sense come to dwell.

Even a wicked person who meditates on Ganga daily with discipline rises to the standing of a noble, virtuous soul.

The dull-witted gain learning and strength, and the sick are set free from their illnesses through her grace.

Whoever keeps repeating 'Ganga, Ganga' will never have to remain hungry or destitute.

The very moment the words 'Ganga Mai' leave the lips, the messengers of Yama, the lord of death, cover their ears and flee away.

She rescues even the lowest and most sinful, and for them the very gates of hell are shut fast.

Whoever recites the hundred names of Ganga finds every accomplishment and sees all their wishes fulfilled.

Such a devotee enjoys every happiness, reaches the highest state, and is freed from the cycle of birth and death.

Blessed is the mother, the joy-giving river of the gods, and blessed indeed is Triveni, the king of holy confluences at Prayag.

In the village of Kakara, near the seat of sage Durvasa, lived Sundardas, who calls himself a humble servant of Ganga and composed these verses.

Whoever reads this Ganga Chalisa receives unbroken devotion and the blessings of the Lord of speech.