Sanatan Dharma bequeaths onto the world one of the greatest symbols of purity and, most importantly, perhaps the only form of God (Ganga Maa) that one can literally be immersed in to achieve the most divine experience that purifies the mind, body and soul. The waters of the Ganges remove the dirt of the body, the negative and impure thoughts of the mind and eases the karmic tribulations of the soul. The experience of bodily immersion in the year-round cool serene waters of the Ganges is appreciated by and understood to do more than just any ritualistic bath as the effects of the purifying nature of Ganga Maa floods and overflows the banks of the devotee’s parched and barren life.
The known history of Ganga Maa and Ganga Dushahara renders many interpretations that all connect on the level of her purity and the philosophy of re-dedication to the ten principles of Sanatan Dharma; the Yama and Niyama – Satya (Truth), Ahimsa (Non-violence), Brahmacharya (Celibacy, non-adultery), Asteya (No desire to possess or steal), Aparighara (Non-corrupt), Shaucha (Cleanliness), Santosh (Contentment), Swadhyaya (Reading of scriptures), Tapas (Austerity, perseverance, penance) and Ishwarpranidhan (Regular prayers). Immersion in Ganga Maa represents a spiritual rebirth that changes the course of one’s life from the meandering tributaries of life’s problems and currents that pull us here and there straying from the main focus of spiritual liberation.
Ganga Maa and the water from the Ganges through the sacrifice of Bhagirath, is used in one’s life for the various sanskaars outlined in the scriptures. Ganga Maa is used in spiritual cleansing from birth to death. Throughout the scriptures, Ganga Maa has been worshipped and respected for her purifying qualities: Kartikeya’s purifying bath to cleanse himself and the festival of Kartik Snaan and the Kumbh Mela where millions of devotees bathe in the Ganges every six and 12 years. Teerath or pilgrimage to India can never be complete if one does not take a bath in the Ganges.
Ganga Maa and the Ganges river represents the purifying nature of water and its importance in the life of all living creatures. Scientists and researchers upon investigation remain baffled at the resulting facts that water from the Ganges can stand the test of time if bottled or placed in containers where bacteria and gangrene will not affect it. Ganga Maa flows from the Lotus like feet of Vishnu Bhagwan and the matted locks of Lord Shiva into the lives and hearts of her devotees.
