Wednesday 29 June 2011

Mistery behind the name Bhagirathi





Mythology
The word “Bhagirathi” (Sanskrit, literally, “caused by Bhagiratha”) refers to a mythological Sagar Dynasty prince who, in order to gain the release his 60,000 great-uncles from the curse of saint Kapila, brought the goddess Ganga in the form of the river Ganges, from the heavens to the earth.

Mistery behind the name Bhagirathi

Once upon a time King Sagara of Ayodhya was doing Ashvamedha Yagya. In order to complete Ashvamedha Yagya a horse which is released when the Yagya starts has to come back to successfully end the Yagya. Until the horse does not comes back the Yagya is considered to be incomplete. So King Sagara released the horse which is released at the start of Yagya. Those who want to perform the Ashvamedha Yagya it means that I consider this kingdom (to implement holy rule on earth) mine till where the horse goes and those who think otherwise will have to fight with me. Indra (the king of Sura or deva’s) was jealous with the Sagara’s kingdom and powers. So he took the horse and tied it behind Maharshi Kapila’s ashrama in Patal loka. After searching horse everywhere on earth when the 60 thousand son’s of King Sagara went to Patal loka and they found the horse tied behind the Kapila muni’s ashram. They thought that Kapila muni himself tied horse behind his Ashram and they said some unholy words to Kapila. Kapila was not even aware of the horse being tied behind his ashram, muni cursed all the 60 thousand son’s to get converted to ashes. All 60 thousand son’s got burned in fire due to muni’s curse and there ashes remained in Patal loka.

King Bhagiratha was the great-great-grandson of king Sagara. He vowed to perform the last right of his forefathers by bringing the holy river Ganges to patal loka and earth. The Ganges that time was only used to flow in Heaven i.e. the kingdom of deva’s king Indra. He continuously prayed for 10 thousand years to Lord Brahma in order to release the holy river Ganges, so that his forefather’s last right could be performed. Lord Brahma got pleased and impressed by King Bhagirath’s continuous prayer and he told Bhagirath to please the Supreme lord Shiva so that when Ganges falls down from Brahma loka to earth she should be controlled by lord Shiva otherwise there was chance that the earth may get flooded by the speed of Ganges. Again the King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva for 10 thousand years. Lord Shiva got pleased and impressed by Bhagirath’s continuous prayer he took the responsibility of controlling Ganges on earth. Ganges flow in all three loka’s (Earth, Heaven and Patal) that is why it is also called as tripath gamini. Since King Bhagiratha brought Ganges on earth it is also known as Bhagirathi.


To break the curse  Ganga (then flowing at heaven) should be made flow above the ashes.  Or in short Ganga should be brought to earth.

He did - Tapas to Lord Brahma > the answer was to petition to Lord shiva to overcome the destructive effect Ganga might cause to Earth while flowing  > Tapas to Shiva > Shiva agreed

But Ganga had pride and over confidence that she thoguht she will show the world her mighty power. Realising this Lord Shiva trapped arrogant Ganga in his Jada and not a single drop fell out .

Again Bhageeratha had to plead to shiva.. And shiva slowly released Her.

First the water accumulated as pool and then lake and then seven ways it branched. The seventh one followed Bhageeratha to the ashes of his anscestors.

And finally the waters of Gange flow thru ashes and 60000 got moksha

Brahma appeared and said to Bhagiratha, ‘Nobel child, you have done the impossible! From this day, whenever any man prevails against the most difficult of odds of fate, his efforts will be called a Bhagiratha prayatna. And the Ganga will be your daughter in the eyes of the Gods. I name her Bhagirathi.To break the curse  Ganga (then flowing at heaven) should be made flow above the ashes.  Or in short Ganga should be brought to earth. He did - Tapas to Lord Brahma > the answer was to petition to Lord shiva to overcome the destructive effect Ganga might cause to Earth while flowing  > Tapas to Shiva > Shiva agreed But Ganga had pride and over confidence that she thoguht she will show the world her mighty power. Realising this Lord Shiva trapped arrogant Ganga in his Jada and not a single drop fell out .Again Bhageeratha had to plead to shiva.. And shiva slowly released Her.  First the water accumulated as pool and then lake and then seven ways it branched. The seventh one followed Bhageeratha to the ashes of his anscestors. And finally the waters of Gange flow thru ashes and 60000 got mokshaBrahma appeared and said to Bhagiratha, ‘Nobel child, you have done the impossible! From this day, whenever any man prevails against the most difficult of odds of fate, his efforts will be called a Bhagiratha prayatna. And the Ganga will be your daughter in the eyes of the Gods. I name her Bhagirathi.

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