||Aum
Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||
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| Swami Sivananda google images |
Thousands
of dancing flames as far as the eye can see... waved in harmony to the tune of
an aarthi that glorifies the Mother Ganga. For a moment, night turns to day and
the mind is lost in a realm far from all your troubles and worries.... Her
waves like little hands extending to receive the offerings of the pious
devotees. In order to experience this, a trip to India is necessary. But, devotees
in South Africa have the blessed opportunity to experience the purity and grace
of Mother Ganga at the Sivananda Cultural Centre in Tongaat. Thousands of
devotees and well wishers converged on the Sivananda Ashram situated on a
tranquil farm in Tongaat overlooking the serene Indian Ocean to attend the
Sivananda Ganga Conference to commemorate the 126th Birth Anniversary of the
founding Guru, Swami Sivananda. The Indian Ocean which is shared by both India
and South Africa forms the umbilical cord that nurtures great spiritual
thoughts and ideas from the spiritual capital of the world, India. The
rituals to the Ganges regarded as sacred by humble devotees are sometimes
scoffed by onlookers as absurd. I recollect my fond memories of the Ganges from
my room window at Belur Math where I witnessed the gentle transition of Her
tides -and rest assured with a little understanding of Her symbolism-, I am
certain the sceptics will adopt a new-found reverence for Her.
Like
Swami Vimokshananda always reminds us... mythology has a very integral role to
play in conveying the profound spiritual philosophies from the ancient Vedic
times to the current with little distortion. It’s up to the receptive seeker of
greater truths to unpack the philosophy from these stories. The origin of
Ganga Ma as a story in itself is bound to attract the listener to its every
detail.
Once,
a King called Sagara was performing a special sacrifice which entailed a white
horse who was left free to roam followed by his army. Wherever the horse went,
that kingdom was to give the horse freedom and make special gifts to the King
in supplication. If they failed to do so, Sagara could challenge them. Knowing
his great might and power, all complied. In fear of losing his own
throne, Indra Deva (in disguise) led the horse away to Sage Kapila Muni’s
ashram. The Sage was in deep meditation. Upon searching for the horse
everywhere -the King's army made up of 60 000 of his own sons- finally found
the horse at the ashram. In anger and fury they started to insult the Sage. In
all the commotion the Sage opened his eyes and immediately all the army in his
gaze were reduced to ashes. Upon hearing of the untimely death of his sons
-for which they will now roam the earth as ghosts- the King sought the advice
of Sage Kapila. The gracious Sage said their only hope was for Ganga Ma to
descend from the heavens and wash their ashes.
The
King immediately crowned his grandson as King and left for the Himalayas to
perform penance to bring Mother to Earth. He was unsuccessful and seven
generations later his descendant Bhagiratha was successful in obtaining his
wish from Brahma. Brahma however warned that if she (Ganga) came to earth with
her force, the earth would be shattered. For this he asked Bhagiratha to pray
to Lord Shiva to soften the fall - to which he agreed.
Feeling
satisfied that his job was accomplished, Bhagiratha led Ganga to the spot to
liberate his ancestors. Ganga noted for being the restless and mischievous
maiden... whilst following Bhagiratha, came across Sage Jahnu’s ashram.
Inquisitive to know the happenings, she ventured towards the huts and started
to flood the site. The Sage, livid by this intrusion, took a sip of the waters
and by the power of his mantra swallowed the entire river. This made Bhagiratha
very distraught and he pleaded with Sage Jahnu to release her to accomplish the
mission. The compassionate Sage then released her and she then also came to be
known as Jahnvi (daughter of Sage Jahnu). The mission was successfully
completed when the pure waters of Ma Ganga touched the ashes of King Sagar's
sons' and released them to liberation. There she entered the vast ocean at the
point called Ganga Sagar.
The
question then arises in the curious mind... What makes the Ganges so special?
She like any other glacier river starts in the icy mountains and meanders its
way to the mighty ocean. Yet through millennia, the water of the Ganges has
been the treasure of Gods, Saints and Sages. Her banks are sought after real
estate for ashrams and hermitages. At points along her 2200km length, She
is worshipped, used for irrigation, dammed, powers the many cities through
hydro-electric plants, used in industrial processes, is the carrier of corpses
and sewage, is the breeding ground for pests and scum and is also home to
various species of fish and other aquatic life. The description fits many other
rivers in the world but the Ganges is special to India and venerated by
billions of Hindus who understand that She is more than just a river, but a
symbolic representation of our pure nature itself.
From
one mass of indistinguishable melting snow... pure and white, drops become
little streams until they join to become the river, flowing through the pure
regions of the Gangeatic planes. Then through populated and polluted
cities, She finally enters the Bay of Bengal at Ganga Sagar. Amritsya Putrahe
-the Vedas proclaim- immortal children of God, we come from that pure source of
Brahman, taking up various roles on this earth. Through the course of our life,
by our association, we are revered and respected by society and/or polluted by
'adharmic' tendencies... but our goal is the same: the ocean of bliss -
Satchidananda(truth, absolute ,bliss).
As
much as the Ganga is polluted at various places, the water is still used for
pooja; bathing and drinking at the various ashrams after undergoing
purification. Her waters are given great sanctity by the austerities of
thousands of great Saints who performed immense 'tapasya' and austerities along
Her banks. Although we may be polluted by our associations and society
pressure, we must perform sadhana; japa and meditation on a regular basis to
help purify our mind and help us develop devotion and purity. Like Mother
Ganga, although we undergo all these personal trials and tribulations we must
also be selfless and serve and support the various 'dharmic' activities of our
communities... and help bring peace and joy to all.
Sri
Ramakrishna said: "As all rivers flowing crooked or straight finally find
their way to the ocean, therefore all rivers are the same, but that river which
provides sustenance and service to mankind finds a special place in their
heart."
Therefore,
as Swami Vivekananda beautifully said: "all are potentially divine",
the task then is to manifest that divinity and bring light and love to
humanity. Then we transform from a river to the Ganga.
We
pay our homage to Pujya Swami Sahajananda, who like Bhagiratha, brought Ganga
from India to South Africa to inspire us all. May we all become tributaries of
Ganga Ma, is my sincere prayer.
With
love and prayers always
Yogan
*Pranaams
to Sri Swami Sivananda on His 126th
Birth Anniversary (today) and a blessed Ganesha Chaturthi / Vinayaga Saturthi
to all for tomorrow.
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