Nila Ganga Vrittaanta, especially significant for women

Shrunu Devi pravaksheham Nila Gangaa samudbhavam, Yacchrutwaa praapyate Matyeh Agnishtoma phalam Priye/ (Bhagavan Maha Bhirava recounted the episode of Nila Ganga’s origin and auspiciousness andassured tat those who bathe and worship in this Sacred River would certainly reap the fruit of performing Agnishtoma Sacrifice). Once Shiva Parvatis were playful and in the course of time, she desired to see Maha Deva in a mirror as his face was smeared with ‘Kaalanjana’or black lepana to enhance the beauty of eyes and provide coolness to them. Drishtaawaanjanaaktavadanam swam Devo Bnhagavanharah, Jataabhirvaikshadadanam Kaalaanjana yaatam shubham/( Maha Deva saw the reflection of his face as smeared with the Kaalanjana sportively and playfully enough again wiped out the black lepana with his jatas or his course head hair). Prakshaalaayaamaasa tadaa vadanam Gangamaa Shive, Saa vai Gangaa samutranna kaalaambanjana nibhaabhavat/ (As Parama Shiva cleaned up his face with Ganga water, as that flow got mixed up with the black ‘anjana’ and made way to Nila Ganga!) Nila Gangeti vikhyaataa Maha Paataka naashani, Nila Gangaam narah snaatwaa Maha Papaih pramuchyate/ (Thus Nila Ganga originated from Maha Deva’s ‘Mukha Prakshaalana’ or out of His face wash! Those who take bath in this River are stated to get fully freed from ‘Maha Patakas’) Neelyanga dharana spurshaatta dhwamsam sargatosatah, Atma doshaadi streenaam vainaasham sanayati param/ (Once the Sacred waters of Nila Ganga merely touch the body parts of persons especially women, their physical blemishes are fully destroyed) Nila Gangamridamchaapi yo dadyadangake swake, Sayaati Brahma sadanam yatra gatwaanashochate/ (Once the mrittika of Nila Ganga is smeared all over the body- parts then they would attain Brahma Loka prapti and all the mortal woes are terminated) Tathaa Nilajalam punyam Mahaa Paapa pranaashanam/ Itesha patalo guhye streenaam paapa pranaashanah, Ishwari vachanaaddevi trimalaaghnah prakeertitaah/ (Thus Nila Ganga ensures the total destruction of Maha Paapas; especially in the case of women and the three secret maladies of their physique are removed and cleaned up.)

Sri V.D.N.Rao and Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham

Kamakoti.org presents the Essence of Puranas in English, condensed by Sri. V.D.N.Rao, devotee of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India The author can be contacted at [email protected]