Every creation of the divine is a part of the divine itself. In some, the divine is visible directly, while in others, it rests hidden deeply. The Ganga (गंगा) is revered as sacred in Hinduism. Among rivers, it is considered the greatest and holds a significant place among all pilgrimage sites. No major religious activity in Hinduism is complete without the waters of the Ganga (गंगा). Whether it’s constructing a temple, purifying a home, dealing with death, or even birth, the Ganga (गंगा) is indispensable wherever there is a longing or need for purity.

Across the ages, from Satya Yuga to Kali Yuga, the Ganga (गंगा) has never lost its essence. While humanity may have lost its sense of compassion, and the Earth its balance, the Ganga (गंगा) remains unchanged—’Ganga’ (गंगा). It continues to flow with its inherent virtue as the purifier of sins.

The Ganga (गंगा) as More Than a River: Transcending the Physical

Don’t see the Ganga (गंगा) merely as a river. The Ganga (गंगा) itself is divine. When the divine takes a fluid form, the Ganga (गंगा) manifests. The Ganga (गंगा) embodies pure. Purity, as an attribute, may come and go, but the pure is the eternal truth—the ultimate source from which all purity arises. The Ganga (गंगा) has no qualities; she is the source, the manifested form of the Nirguna Parabrahm (निर्गुण परब्रह्म), the formless and quality-less absolute reality. She is the living form of the formless divine. The divine illusion entangles us, causing us to fail to recognize this living embodiment of the divine essence.

The Divine Presence of the Ganga (गंगा): Understanding Beyond Rituals

Every person who comes to the banks of the Ganga (गंगा) acknowledges it as the purifier of sins, the giver of liberation, the beloved of Shiv (शिव), and Vishnupadi—the one that has emerged from the feet of Shri Hari. But do they truly recognize it? Do they truly see it?

Not every person who visits the banks of the Ganga (गंगा) actually experiences the Ganga (गंगा). As long as the Ganga (गंगा) is not within the mind, as long as the soul does not perceive it, the eyes may visit the banks countless times, yet they will never truly see it. It’s like standing under the open sky during rain: some people see a good harvest, others see wet clothes with disappointment, and some see relief from the heat, but who truly sees the rain itself? Perhaps the peacock sees the rain as rain, expressing its joy in dance. We, on the other hand, see it through the lens of our minds—formed by meanings, life’s impressions, teachings, beliefs, and standards. Maybe that’s why Govind Krishna (गोविंद कृष्ण) is adorned with peacock feathers—how can he, the embodiment of ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda,’ forget the one who is in bliss?

The Ganga (गंगा) and Spiritual Liberation

We all might recognize the Ganga (गंगा) as the purifier of sins, which is why we go for ritual baths—discarding old clothes, offering the deceased for liberation. But we do not truly consider the Ganga (गंगा) as the Ganga (गंगा), which is why we leave behind trash, pollute her with dirty water, and shake off the sins from our bodies. But what about the soul? The soul remains impure. The body may be freed, but the soul remains bound.

That’s why the Ganga (गंगा), as a river, purifies the body and cleanses the earth of impurities but cannot purify the soul—because the one who comes only brings their body to meet the Ganga (गंगा), not their soul. If the soul had been brought, it would have united with the Ganga (गंगा). By touching the Ganga (गंगा), one would be freed from the bonds of birth and death. By performing the Ganga (गंगा) Aarti and sprinkling the earth with the Ganga’s (गंगा) water, true bliss would have been brought. The Ganga (गंगा) would not have been polluted.

Instead, flowing from Shiv’s (शिव) head, the three-world-purifying stream of the Ganga (गंगा) is the eternal divine essence of the Lord. You could have recognized this and met your soul, not just counted your sins.

Conclusion Experiencing the Essence of the Ganga (गंगा)

Do not consider the Ganga (गंगा) merely as a means of liberation. Recognize the Ganga (गंगा) flowing in the river. Only then will you experience the Ganga (गंगा) directly and achieve the union of the soul with the supreme consciousness.

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