The gods scared of demon Taraka request Himavan to offer Ganga to Siva for a son who could save the three worlds. Himavan offers her in conformity with the dharma on condition she could freely choose her path. Ganga chooses the path of wind (Pranava) on her own. Uma the second daughter of Himavan conducts intense penance for the grace of Siva and wins Him. The gods request Uma to bear the energy of Siva. But Brahma says Uma is not capable. Humiliated, she protests she can. May you take the form of water, Brahma curse. And she remains in a boiling vessel. The vessel breaks spreading water on the feet of Visnu in the sky. Under stress she falls down from the edge of the feet of Visnu and becomes famous as Visnupadi. The Vamanapurana says Ganga remains in the pan on the top of Brahmanda. The Kamikasamhita has it that Ganga water falls along with external water (Brahmajala) of the Brahmanda. Brahma holds the external water in his water-pot with which he washes the feet of Narayana. And keeps it back.
Sankarasamhita gives another version. Gauri once closes Siva’s eyes with her palms. And then Siva’s third eye on the forehead shines. The palms of Gauri begin to sweat out of fear and the sweat flows down. Brahma collects it in his water-pot.
On Bhagiratha’s appeal Brahma grants him the most sacred water in the form of Brahman.
Viswamitra tells Rama ‘I will explain how Ganga became tripathagamini, the river that flows in three courses. First she went the way of the sky. Then she ascended to heaven. As she flowed on the earth, she became the remover of all sins’. Ganga is Tripathaga, flowing in three courses on earth, heaven and patala or the underworld. The story of Ganga is also depicted in Vamanapurana.
Ganga – Tripathaga 1.35.14-24; 1.36.4; 1.37.7-23
The gods scared of demon Taraka request Himavan to offer Ganga to Siva for a son who could save the three worlds. Himavan offers her in conformity with the dharma on condition she could freely choose her path. Ganga chooses the path of wind (Pranava) on her own. Uma the second daughter of Himavan conducts intense penance for the grace of Siva and wins Him. The gods request Uma to bear the energy of Siva. But Brahma says Uma is not capable. Humiliated, she protests she can. May you take the form of water, Brahma curse. And she remains in a boiling vessel. The vessel breaks spreading water on the feet of Visnu in the sky. Under stress she falls down from the edge of the feet of Visnu and becomes famous as Visnupadi. The Vamanapurana says Ganga remains in the pan on the top of Brahmanda. The Kamikasamhita has it that Ganga water falls along with external water (Brahmajala) of the Brahmanda. Brahma holds the external water in his water-pot with which he washes the feet of Narayana. And keeps it back.
Sankarasamhita gives another version. Gauri once closes Siva’s eyes with her palms. And then Siva’s third eye on the forehead shines. The palms of Gauri begin to sweat out of fear and the sweat flows down. Brahma collects it in his water-pot.
On Bhagiratha’s appeal Brahma grants him the most sacred water in the form of Brahman.
Viswamitra tells Rama ‘I will explain how Ganga became tripathagamini, the river that flows in three courses. First she went the way of the sky. Then she ascended to heaven. As she flowed on the earth, she became the remover of all sins’. Ganga is Tripathaga, flowing in three courses on earth, heaven and patala or the underworld. The story of Ganga is also depicted in Vamanapurana.