gaṅgāvarṇanam (śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ayodhyākāṇḍe)

1: There, the river which flows along Three Paths, the river which is Divine, the river which carries cool and clear waters without weeds or moss,... 2:... Raghava (Sri Rama) saw that river Ganga, which is pleasing to the eyes and which is frequented and honoured by the Sages.

1: The river bank was well adorned with beautiful Hermitages situated not far from each other, 2: At suitable hours, Apsaras (celestial Nymphs) frequented that river of Auspicious Waters and greatly rejoiced in that surroundings.

1: The river was adorned with the presence of Devas, Danavas (Demons), Gandharvas (Celestial Singers), Kinnaras,... 2:... as well as the wives of Nagas and Gandharvas who always frequented that Auspicious surroundings.

1: The River is filled with hundreds of Celestial Playgrounds which are connected with Celestial Gardens, 2: For the sake of the Devas, the most excellent Devi (i.e. Devi Ganga) flowed in Heaven (one stream of Ganga flows in heaven), and this tale is well-known to all.

1: At places where the river water strikes (against rocks), it creates loud mighty Laughter, and (which is followed by) soft Laughter created by Pure Foams, 2: At some places the river water twists like Plaited Hair, and at other places it is adorned by Whirlpool.

1: At some places the river is Calm and Deep, while at other places it bursts with Speed, 2: At some places one can hear the Sound of her Deep (Silence), while at other places one can feel the Silence within her Terrible (Flow).

1: The river Water is bathed with congregation of Devas, and abounds with stainless Pure Lotuses, 2: At some places it has curved Islands, and at other places it has clear Sand (Banks).

1: The river is resonant with the sounds of Swans and Cranes, adorned with Chakra Birds,.... 2:... as well as filled with many other Birds who are always overjoyed (and stays in her vicinity); such is the virtuous river.

1: At some places Trees adorn the river banks like a garland, 2: At some places it is covered with blooming Lotuses, while at other places it is filled with Lotus groves.

1: At some places the river is adorned with multitude of buds of Water-Lilies, 2: And at other places the various Flowers fill the atmosphere with their pollen, as if intoxicated.

1: Due to the presence of the river, mass of impurities have disappeared, and the directions are appearing like spotlessly Pure Gem, 2: Due to the Elephants (symbolical) of the Directions (rendered Pure by the river), the Elephants of the Forests have become overjoyed; those excellent Elephants.

1: (As if) The entire Forest is filled with the trumpets of the Elephants which carries Devaraja (i.e. Indra Deva), 2: The whole region is as if carefully decorated with various excellent ornaments (of Nature) for rejoicing in it.

1: The cluster of Trees and Shrubs are decorated with various Fruits and Flowers, and covered with young tender leaves, and also by various Birds (playing over them), 2: The river has originated from the Feet of Sri Vishnu; She is Divine and sinless, and the destroyer of Sins.

1: The (deeper parts of the) river are filled with Porpoises, Crocodiles and various Serpents, 2: The river has fallen from the Matted Hairs of Sri Shankara, and is filled with the power of penance of king Sagara and his descendants.

1: River Ganga, the consort of the Ocean, which was resounding with the sounds of Cranes and Ospreys,.... 2:... Sri Rama, the one with Mighty Arms, reached her banks near the place known as Shringaverapura.

1: Seeing her waters full of Waves forming beautiful Curves, the great Warrier Sri Rama,... 2:... said to Sumantra, the charioteer, "we will stay here today".

1: (Sri Rama said:) Not very far from here, and nourished by the River, with many Flowers and Shoots,... 2:... is that very huge Ingudi Tree; we will stay there itself, O Sarathi (Charioteer).

1: I will see the most excellent River, the waters of which is Auspicious and respected by... 2:... Devas, Human Beings, Gandharvas (Celestial Singers), Animals, Serpents and Birds.