Delving into a Hindu Myth: Sacrifice and Redemption

By Sadhika on

The Myth: The tale of Bhagiratha and Ganga, found in the epic Ramayana and the Puranas, is a significant story in Hindu mythology and is associated with the origin of the river Ganges (Ganga). King Sagar, a powerful ruler and ancestor of Lord Rama, performed the Ashwamedha Yajna (Horse Sacrifice) to establish his supremacy. During the ritual, the sacrificial horse was stolen by Indra, the king of the gods, who wanted to interrupt the ceremony. Sagar's sons, led by Anshuman, searched for the horse and found it near  the hermitage of Sage Kapila. Misunderstanding the sage to be the thief, they accused him, disrupting his meditation. In his wrath, Sage Kapila burnt them to ashes with his fiery gaze. 

Anshuman's son, Dilipa, and later his grandson, Bhagiratha, were unable to perform the last rites (funeral rituals) for their ancestors. The ashes of Sagar's sons remained restless, so Bhagiratha took it upon himself to find a solution. Only the waters of the Ganga (the Ganges), then in heaven, can bring the dead sons their salvation. Bhagiratha undertook intense penance and austerities to please Lord Brahma, the creator. Impressed by his devotion, Brahma granted him a boon but advised him to seek Lord Shiva's help to contain the force of Ganga's descent to Earth. Bhagiratha then prayed to Lord Shiva, who agreed to break the fall of Ganga on his matted hair, minimising the impact on Earth. The river Ganga, pleased by Bhagiratha's efforts and Lord Shiva's intervention, agreed to descend to Earth.

As Ganga flowed down, her descent was so forceful that it could have disrupted the earth. Lord Shiva, however, skilfully trapped Ganga in his locks, releasing her in a gentle stream. Ganga then flowed over the ashes of Sagar's sons, bringing them redemption. The river continued her journey on Earth, purifying everything she touched. The river Ganges is considered sacred in Hinduism, and bathing in its waters is believed to cleanse one of sins.

Parallels: While the specific details of the Bhagiratha and Ganga myth are unique to Hinduism, the motif of a sacred river and its purifying properties is a common theme found in various religious and cultural traditions worldwide. 

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the Nile River was considered sacred and played a crucial role in the religious and cultural life of the people. The annual flooding of the Nile was associated with the goddess Hapi, symbolising fertility and abundance. The river was believed to be a life-giving force, similar to the sacred attributes associated with the Ganges in Hinduism.

The Jordan River is mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the context of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. According to Christian beliefs, the act of baptism in the Jordan River symbolises spiritual purification and rebirth. The river is seen as a sacred space for rituals of cleansing and initiation.

Symbolism: The Ganges River is often seen as a purifying force, capable of cleansing individuals of their sins. Bathing in the Ganges is believed to wash away sins and impurities, signifying spiritual rebirth.. In the myth, the descent of the Ganges is associated with the redemption of King Sagar's sons, who were turned to ashes due to a curse. In Hinduism, the river is considered auspicious for performing funeral rites, and its waters are believed to aid in the transition of the departed souls. 

Lord Shiva's role in trapping Ganga in his matted locks represents control over powerful forces. It symbolises the need for balance and restraint in handling intense and potentially destructive energies. This intervention highlights the importance of divine guidance in navigating the challenges of life.

Bhagiratha's intense penance and austerities represent the importance of devotion and sacrifice in Hinduism. His unwavering dedication to the welfare of his ancestors, as well as his perseverance in seeking divine intervention, reinforces the idea that sincere devotion can evoke a positive response from the divine. 

The myth shares thematic elements that resonate with Carl Jung's psychological concepts, particularly the archetype of the hero's journey and the symbolism of salvation or rebirth. There are parallels between Bhagiratha's quest to bring Ganga to Earth and the archetypal motif of extracting one's father (wisdom of the ancestors) from the belly of the whale (chaos), a concept often associated with psychological transformation and reconciliation. In Jungian psychology, the father represents authority, tradition, and the collective unconscious. Bhagiratha's quest to redeem his ancestors, mirrors the hero's journey to confront ancestral issues or unconscious elements. The redemption of the ashes signifies a transformative process, aligning with the hero's quest for self-discovery and individuation.

The Message: The Ganga is not just a river but a spiritual and cultural lifeline for millions of people. Its waters are considered sacred, and the river plays a central role in various religious practices, rituals, and festivals. Cities along the Ganga, such as Varanasi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh, draw in tourism, fostering economic opportunities for local businesses and communities. Pilgrims travel to the Ganges to perform rituals, take holy dips, and seek spiritual solace. This cultural significance remains a vibrant aspect of modern life in India.

Bhagiratha's pursuit of redeeming his ancestors mirrors humanity's yearning to rectify past mistakes and instigate positive change. The human relationship with time is intricate; while we cannot alter the past, we possess the capacity to negotiate with the future. The religious concept of sacrifice, deeply embedded in this temporal relationship, stands as a significant contribution of religion to the systems that benefit us today. By forgoing immediate pleasures, we can aspire to create a more favourable future—a principle underpinning the entire banking system, where saving for the future is paramount, akin to how squirrels save nuts for winter.

In modern life, the myth encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and for those committed by their fathers, and seek to redeem rather than resent them for it, even if it means sacrificing the comforts of the present. Only by doing so, can the future be “purified” for the next generation.

“I love him who justifieth the future ones, and redeemeth the past ones: for he is willing to succumb through the present ones.” - Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spake Zarathustra.

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