THE DEEP IMPORT AND SUPREME GREATNESS OF RIVER GANGA SHORES FOR SPIRITUAL PRACTICES OR SADHANA
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In the Bhagwad Geeta (10/31) Lord Shri Krishna says: “Srotasamasmi Jahnavi”. It means that among all rivers I am Bhagirathi River Ganga (also called Jahnvi).
In the Bhagwad Geeta (11/16) Lord Shri Krishna says: “Tirthanam srotasam ganga”. It means that amongst Tirthas or pilgrim spots River Ganga reigns supreme.
By itself the deep import of River Ganga from the mundane standpoint too is no less. Yet its root importance is heavenly and spiritual in nature. Via Ganga waters the thirst of so many humans and other creatures, so much land oozes with lush greenery, so many vegetables, flowers etc bloom forth due to its pure waters and this is known to all. Everyone believes that thousands and millions of humans and lives of birds-beasts depends on River Ganga waters. Lest River Ganga had not manifested on earth from heaven then that land seen to be lush green everywhere, where innumerable humans, birds, beasts etc dwelling joyfully would have appeared very differently today. In fact this land would have been akin to a graveyard reeking with eerie fear. In that land where flows by River Ganga not only has it given very important basis for sustaining life to people dwelling in its vicinity but that it has given a lot to even people dwelling far away from it. The grandeur over here by spreading out to far off places has increased the wealth, prosperity etc of entire India. If we fill a vessel with water and place it on a stive for heating then even though the fire touches only a small portion of the vessel yet the water getting heated inside helps spread the heat all over the vessel within. Similarly grandeur created from the presence of River Ganga not only renders prosperous our country India but that the entire world benefits from it. The wood from dense jungles present on River Ganga shores transported to every nook and corner of the country fulfills requirement of house construction, wooden carvings etc. Food growing in fertile soil here is so great in measure that after fulfilling local dietary needs excess measure of it remains behind. And thus when transported to regions far away it appeases the hunger of so many more people. There are so many herbs (Jadi-Butis) like Brahmi etc that grow in River Ganga. It is well nigh difficult to gauge the amount of financial benefits accrued by humans via River Ganga.
From the health standpoint even modern scientists and doctors are wonderstruck at the benefits attainined from River Ganga waters. On chemical analysis done it is found that its water has copper, gold, mercury and other minerals in an aptly proportionate manner. Thus if it is used it works akin to a medicinal cure. It helps in increasing good health. It stops our health from deteriorating and works like a precious medicine in rendering diseased patients healthy. There are been many patients who have spent huge amounts of cash for curing their diseases yet have failed to get cured. And then when they regularly drank River Ganga waters their disease got cured. The only cure for leprosy is said to be River