54. Ganges River

54. Ganges River:

Lord Kṛṣṇa told Uddhava in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.16.20, “Among sacred and flowing things, I am the holy Ganges.” 

Vṛndāvana Dāsa Ṭhākura says, “Kṛṣṇa is always present wherever these 4 things are found - Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Tulasī, Gaṅgā, and His devotees. The Deity form of the Lord may be worshiped only after doing the prāṇa-pratiṣtha ceremony (installation). However, the Vedas say that these other 4 forms are the Supreme Lord Himself from the moment they appear in this world.” (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 21.81) 

Mother Ganga:

The Agni Purāṇa describes the personified form of Gaṅgā devī as being white in colour, riding on a makara (a variety of fish) and holding a pot and lotus in her hands. “In Gaura-līlā, the Ganges River appeared as the daughter of Lord Nityānanda named Gaṅgā devī.” (Gaura Ganoddesa Dipika) 

Ganga Devī in Navadvipa Dhama:

Ganga devi and Navadvipa-dhama are synonymous. Her waters encircle the dhama as if she is embracing the Lord's body, and her streams cover all corners of the dhama like a lover unable to be separated from her beloved.

Ganga devi emanates from the lotus feet of the Lord. She flows throughout the universe bestowing mercy on all, but in Navadvipa dhama she gives special mercy not available anywhere else. Here she flows on the eastern bank while the Yamuna flows on the western bank. Therefore, here in Navadvipa-dhama, her divine waters bestow gauranga-premä.

Though liquid in form, the Ganges dries up the ocean of material suffering, though white in colour she is famous for refreshing blackish Krsna with her waters, though flowing on the earth, she is called a heavenly name; and though she removes the confusion of the living entities, she is filled with whirlpools and eddies. Having attained the taste of the Lord's lotus feet, her waves and currents become agitated. Taking up her residence in Navadvipa, she adds glory to that tract of land.

Kavi Karnapūra glorifies Gangă devi with beautiful poetry in his Caitanya-carita mahakavya - “Flooding Lord Śiva’s matted hair shining with the reflection of the crescent moon; pure with the touch of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s lotus feet; beautiful, sweet, manifesting the supreme abode; restless, transcendental, eternal, flowing with pure waters; drying up the ocean of repeated birth and death though she herself is liquid; glorious, holding the transcendental form of Lord Kṛṣṇa in her embrace; destroying material illusion even though her course is winding; filled with playful waves, and bearing the fragrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; that sacred River Ganges, the famous river of the celestial world, is now flowing on earth, beautifying the transcendental land of Navadvīpa.”

Seeing the fortune of the Yamunā in participating in Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, the Gaṅgā performed austerities in Antardvipa to become an associate of the Lord’s līlā. She wanted Krsna to play in her waters just as He does with Yamuna in Vrndavana. Bestowing His mercy, Kṛṣṇa appeared before Gaṅgā devī and said, “In the form of Gaurāṅga I will perform pastimes with you.” (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya) 

Mahaprabhu's Love for Ganga Devī:

As a young boy, Nimai enjoyed many hours playing in her waters every day. As Visvambhara, He went to the ghatas on the bank of the Gangă to tease the young girls and brähmaņas doing püjä, and to fight with His friends, thus making her waters very muddy. As a scholar, Visvambhara taught His students while sitting on the bank of the Ganga. And as a young man, Gauranga Mahaprabhu swam and enjoyed sports in her waters every day and after kirtana with His devotees. He strolled along her banks with His associates appreciating her beauty and became overwhelmed in ecstasy from remembering His pastimes on the banks of the Yamuna. 

Lord Caitanya regularly bathed in the Ganges to satisfy her desire to embrace Him and serve His transcendental pastimes. As the topmost śikṣā-guru, Lord Caitanya would respectfully offer daṇḍavats to the Gaṅgā before entering. Lord Gaurāṅga purified the Gaṅgā by playing in her waters and made her equal to the Yamunā which forever flows with vraja-prema. Whenever Lord Caitanya bathed in the Gaṅgā, He behaved in a frolicsome manner with His devotees. They would engage in all sorts of games like splashing each other with handfuls of water. Loud shouts of “Haribol!” would accent their sporting. Viśvambhara enjoyed Himself by swimming, diving, floating, playing games, and splashing water on His friends. The Lord would sometimes spend 6 hours playing in the Gaṅga. (Caitanya Bhagavata)

This pastime comes from the Caitanya Mangala by Locana dasa Thakura - During the enchanting evening atmosphere, Visvambhara and His friends went to take darsana of the Ganges river. On both sides of the river many brahmanas and saintly persons offered respects and prayers to Ganga devi. Ladies carried pots of Ganges water. Many different panditas, with names like Misra, Acārya and Bhatta, stood by admiring the pure and beautiful Ganges river. Both the young and old were worshiping the Ganges with fruits, flowers, and sandalwood pulp.

Due to uncontrolled love for Visvambhara, the Ganges rushed rapidly, spilling over her banks to touch the body of the Lord. People wondered why the Ganges seemed much more beautiful today. Although she is usually calm and quiet, why was she now loudly roaring and surging with waves? There was no storm brewing, yet why was she flooding her banks?

Nearby, Visvambhara stood on the banks of the Ganges and gazed at her with love and devotion. Due to horripulation, His body expanded in size and His reddish eyes filled with tears of compassion. The brahmanas understood that He was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They could see that Visvambhara was overcome with love for Ganga devi. Knowing Ganga's heart, the Lord walked forward to touch her. Ganga's desire was not fulfilled, so she splashed her waves across the lotus feet of the Lord. In extreme ecstasy, Gauranga chanted, "Haribol!" and then offered His lap to His favourite one.

Out of love, Gauränga keeps Ganga devi in His heart. In the shape of hundreds of streams, Ganga's tears of love flowed towards the ocean. Her pure waters flowed from each hair of Gauranga's body, but the people call it perspiration. In this way the ocean of love overflows. In all directions, the people were blissfully chanting "Hari! Hari!" The whole town of Nadia became astounded to witness this pastime. They became convinced that Visvambhara was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The brahmana devotee who had watched Visvambhara's pastime with Ganga devi fell at the Lord's feet.

Crying, the brahmana said, "Finally, after a long time, the Ganges has bestowed her mercy upon me. Ganga devi allowed me to realize the true identity of Mahaprabhu, who is beyond the reach of the greatest yogis and sages." Overwhelmed with love, the brahmana cried and rolled on the ground. On seeing him absorbed in love, Lord Gauranga returned home.