॥ श्रीगङ्गाष्टकम् ॥
भगवति तव तीरे नीरमात्राशनोऽहं
विगतविषयतृष्णः कृष्णमाराधयामि।
सकलकलुषभङ्गे स्वर्गसोपानसङ्गे
तरलतरतरङ्गे देवि गङ्गे प्रसीद॥1॥
भगवति भवलीलामौलिमाले तवाम्भः
कणमणुपरिमाणं प्राणिनो ये स्पृशन्ति।
अमरनगरनारीचामरग्राहिणीनां
विगतकलिकलङ्कातङ्कमङ्के लुठन्ति॥2॥
ब्रह्माण्डं खण्डयन्ती हरशिरसि जटावल्लिमुल्लासयन्ती
स्वर्लोकादापतन्ती कनकगिरिगुहागण्डशैलात्स्खलन्ती।
क्षोणीपृष्ठे लुठन्ती दुरितचयचमूनिर्भरं भर्त्सयन्ती
पाथोधिं पुरयन्ती सुरनगरसरित्पावनी नः पुनातु॥3॥
मज्जन्मातङ्गकुम्भच्युतमदमदिरामोदमत्तालिजालं
स्नानैः सिद्धाङ्गनानां कुचयुगविगलत्कुङ्कुमासङ्गपिङ्गम्।
सायंप्रातर्मुनीनां कुशकुसुमचयैश्छन्नतीरस्थनीरं
पायान्नो गाङ्गमम्भः करिकलभकराक्रान्तरंहस्तरङ्गम्॥4॥
आदावादिपितामहस्य नियमव्यापारपात्रे जलं
पश्चात्पन्नगशायिनो भगवतः पादोदकं पावनम्।
भूयः शम्भुजटाविभूषणमणिर्जह्नोर्महर्षेरियं
कन्या कल्मषनाशिनी भगवती भागीरथी दृश्यते॥5॥
शैलेन्द्रादवतारिणी निजजले मज्जज्जनोत्तारिणी
पारावारविहारिणी भवभयश्रेणीसमुत्सारिणी।
शेषाहेरनुकारिणी हरशिरोवल्लीदलाकारिणी
काशीप्रान्तविहारिणी विजयते गङ्गा मनोहारिणी॥6॥
कुतो वीचिर्वीचिस्तव यदि गता लोचनपथं
त्वमापीता पीताम्बरपुरनिवासं वितरसि।
त्वदुत्सङ्गे गङ्गे पतति यदि कायस्तनुभृतां
तदा मातः शातक्रतवपदलाभोऽप्यतिलघुः॥7॥
गङ्गे त्रैलोक्यसारे सकलसुरवधूधौतविस्तीर्णतोये
पूर्णब्रह्मस्वरूपे हरिचरणरजोहारिणि स्वर्गमार्गे।
प्रायश्चित्तं यदि स्यात्तव जलकणिका ब्रह्महत्यादिपापे
कस्त्वां स्तोतुं समर्थस्त्रिजगदघहरे देवि गङ्गे प्रसीद॥8॥
मातर्जाह्नवि शम्भुसङ्गवलिते मौलौ निधायाञ्जलिं
त्वत्तीरे वपुषोऽवसानसमये नारायणाङ्घ्रिद्वयम्।
सानन्दं स्मरतो भविष्यति मम प्राणप्रयाणोत्सवे
भूयाद्भक्तिरविच्युताहरिहराद्वैतात्मिका शाश्वती॥9॥
गङ्गाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेत्प्रयतो नरः।
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति॥10॥
॥ इति श्रीशङ्कराचार्यविरचितं श्रीगङ्गाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Introduction to Ganga Ashtakam
Overview of the Hymn
The Ganga Ashtakam is a revered devotional hymn dedicated to Goddess Ganga, composed by Adi Shankaracharya. It comprises eight verses that praise the goddess's virtues and seek her blessings for purification and spiritual growth.
Significance of the Hymn
Reciting the Ganga Ashtakam is believed to invoke Goddess Ganga's grace, ensuring the devotee's spiritual purification and guiding them towards righteousness. It emphasizes surrendering to the divine will and seeking refuge in the goddess.
Historical Context
Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, a revered philosopher and theologian, the hymn reflects the spiritual and cultural ethos of ancient India, highlighting the reverence for deities who ensure the well-being and protection of devotees.
Deity Worshipped
Goddess Ganga, the personification of the sacred river Ganga, is revered as the purifier of sins and the bestower of liberation. She is depicted as the embodiment of purity and grace.
Global Reverence
While primarily worshipped in India, Goddess Ganga's significance transcends borders. Her depiction in temples and homes underscores the universal need for purification and the divine's role in ensuring the well-being of all beings.
Structure of the Ashtakam
Verse 1
The first verse praises Goddess Ganga as the embodiment of eternal bliss, the dispeller of fears, and the source of all beauty. It acknowledges her as the direct manifestation of the supreme deity.
Verse 2
This verse describes Goddess Ganga adorned with various jewels, her body fragrant with sandalwood, and her residence in the sacred city of Kashi. It emphasizes her role as the provider of alms and the remover of all miseries.
Verse 3
The third verse highlights Goddess Ganga's ability to grant bliss through yoga, destroy enemies, and establish righteousness. It portrays her as a protective force for the three worlds.
Verse 4
This verse venerates Goddess Ganga as the consort of Lord Shiva, residing in the caves of Mount Kailash. It acknowledges her as the personification of the sacred syllable 'Om' and the gatekeeper of liberation.
Verse 5
The fifth verse lauds Goddess Ganga's omnipresence, her control over the visible and invisible realms, and her role in imparting knowledge. It underscores her as the source of all spiritual wisdom.
Verse 6
This verse depicts Goddess Ganga as the mother of all beings, always bestowing food and joy upon her devotees. It portrays her as the eternal source of happiness and prosperity.
Verse 7
The seventh verse describes Goddess Ganga as the embodiment of all alphabets, the three gunas (qualities), and the three forms of energy. It emphasizes her role in the creation and sustenance of the universe.
Verse 8
The final verse venerates Goddess Ganga adorned with various ornaments, holding a bowl of sweet milk, and fulfilling the desires of her devotees. It concludes with a plea for her blessings of food and prosperity.
Benefits of Reciting the Ashtakam
Spiritual Upliftment
Regular recitation of the Ganga Ashtakam is believed to purify the mind and soul, leading to spiritual enlightenment and a closer connection with the divine.
Material Prosperity
Devotees believe that chanting this hymn attracts material wealth and abundance, as Goddess Ganga is the provider of all sustenance.
Protection from Misery
The hymn is said to shield devotees from miseries and hardships, invoking the goddess's grace to remove obstacles and ensure well-being.
Enhancement of Knowledge
Reciting the Ashtakam is believed to enhance one's intellect and wisdom, as Goddess Ganga is also revered as the deity of knowledge.
Peace and Harmony
The hymn promotes inner peace and harmony, fostering a balanced and content life for those who recite it with devotion.
How to Recite the Ashtakam
Best Time for Recitation
The ideal time to recite the Ganga Ashtakam is during early morning hours, preferably after a bath, to ensure purity and focus.
Method of Recitation
It is recommended to recite the Ashtakam with a clean heart and mind, preferably facing north or east, while seated on a clean mat or cloth.
Number of Recitations
Chanting the Ashtakam 108 times is considered highly auspicious, though even a single recitation with sincerity is believed to yield benefits.
Accompanying Rituals
Lighting a lamp or incense while reciting the hymn can enhance its effectiveness, creating a sacred atmosphere conducive to devotion.
Group Chanting
Participating in group recitations, especially during festivals or auspicious days, is believed to amplify the blessings of Goddess Ganga.
Conclusion
Summary of the Ashtakam
The Ganga Ashtakam is a powerful hymn that praises Goddess Ganga's virtues and seeks her blessings for protection, strength, and spiritual growth.
Significance in Daily Life
Incorporating the recitation of this Ashtakam into daily life is believed to bring about positive changes, ensuring both material and spiritual well-being.
Encouragement for Devotees
Devotees are encouraged to recite the Ganga Ashtakam with devotion and sincerity, trusting in the goddess's grace to fulfill their needs and desires.
Final Blessing
May the recitation of the Ganga Ashtakam bring peace, prosperity, and divine blessings to all who chant it with a pure heart.
The Ganga Ashtakam is a revered devotional hymn dedicated to Goddess Ganga, composed by Adi Shankaracharya. It comprises eight verses that praise the goddess's virtues and seek her blessings for purification and spiritual growth.
Reciting the Ganga Ashtakam is believed to invoke Goddess Ganga's grace, ensuring the devotee's spiritual purification and guiding them towards righteousness. It emphasizes surrendering to the divine will and seeking refuge in the goddess.
Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, a revered philosopher and theologian, the hymn reflects the spiritual and cultural ethos of ancient India, highlighting the reverence for deities who ensure the well-being and protection of devotees.
Goddess Ganga, the personification of the sacred river Ganga, is revered as the purifier of sins and the bestower of liberation. She is depicted as the embodiment of purity and grace.
While primarily worshipped in India, Goddess Ganga's significance transcends borders. Her depiction in temples and homes underscores the universal need for purification and the divine's role in ensuring the well-being of all beings.
The first verse praises Goddess Ganga as the embodiment of eternal bliss, the dispeller of fears, and the source of all beauty. It acknowledges her as the direct manifestation of the supreme deity.
This verse describes Goddess Ganga adorned with various jewels, her body fragrant with sandalwood, and her residence in the sacred city of Kashi. It emphasizes her role as the provider of alms and the remover of all miseries.
The third verse highlights Goddess Ganga's ability to grant bliss through yoga, destroy enemies, and establish righteousness. It portrays her as a protective force for the three worlds.
This verse venerates Goddess Ganga as the consort of Lord Shiva, residing in the caves of Mount Kailash. It acknowledges her as the personification of the sacred syllable 'Om' and the gatekeeper of liberation.
The fifth verse lauds Goddess Ganga's omnipresence, her control over the visible and invisible realms, and her role in imparting knowledge. It underscores her as the source of all spiritual wisdom.
This verse depicts Goddess Ganga as the mother of all beings, always bestowing food and joy upon her devotees. It portrays her as the eternal source of happiness and prosperity.
The seventh verse describes Goddess Ganga as the embodiment of all alphabets, the three gunas (qualities), and the three forms of energy. It emphasizes her role in the creation and sustenance of the universe.
The final verse venerates Goddess Ganga adorned with various ornaments, holding a bowl of sweet milk, and fulfilling the desires of her devotees. It concludes with a plea for her blessings of food and prosperity.
Regular recitation of the Ganga Ashtakam is believed to purify the mind and soul, leading to spiritual enlightenment and a closer connection with the divine.
Devotees believe that chanting this hymn attracts material wealth and abundance, as Goddess Ganga is the provider of all sustenance.
The hymn is said to shield devotees from miseries and hardships, invoking the goddess's grace to remove obstacles and ensure well-being.
Reciting the Ashtakam is believed to enhance one's intellect and wisdom, as Goddess Ganga is also revered as the deity of knowledge.
The hymn promotes inner peace and harmony, fostering a balanced and content life for those who recite it with devotion.
The ideal time to recite the Ganga Ashtakam is during early morning hours, preferably after a bath, to ensure purity and focus.
It is recommended to recite the Ashtakam with a clean heart and mind, preferably facing north or east, while seated on a clean mat or cloth.
Chanting the Ashtakam 108 times is considered highly auspicious, though even a single recitation with sincerity is believed to yield benefits.
Lighting a lamp or incense while reciting the hymn can enhance its effectiveness, creating a sacred atmosphere conducive to devotion.
Participating in group recitations, especially during festivals or auspicious days, is believed to amplify the blessings of Goddess Ganga.
The Ganga Ashtakam is a powerful hymn that praises Goddess Ganga's virtues and seeks her blessings for protection, strength, and spiritual growth.
Incorporating the recitation of this Ashtakam into daily life is believed to bring about positive changes, ensuring both material and spiritual well-being.
Devotees are encouraged to recite the Ganga Ashtakam with devotion and sincerity, trusting in the goddess's grace to fulfill their needs and desires.
May the recitation of the Ganga Ashtakam bring peace, prosperity, and divine blessings to all who chant it with a pure heart.
