gaṅgā stotram

O Goddess! O Queen of the Gods! O Divine Mother Ganga! You who deliver the three worlds and possess restless waves, you who adorn the head of Lord Shankara and are pure, may my mind ever remain fixed at your lotus feet.

O Mother Bhagirathi, bestower of happiness, the greatness of your water is celebrated in the Vedas. I do not truly comprehend your majesty; O merciful one, protect me, for I am ignorant.

O Ganga, you who flow from the lotus feet of Lord Hari, whose waves are as white as snow, the moon, and pearls, please remove the burden of my misdeeds and, by your grace, carry me across the ocean of worldly existence.

Whoever has drunk of your pure water has surely attained the supreme abode. O Mother Ganga, the one who is devoted to you is truly beyond the reach of Yama (the Lord of Death).

O Ganga, daughter of Jahnu, you who uplift the fallen, you whose currents break through the vast and mighty mountains, O Mother of Bhishma, daughter of the greatest sage, you who prevent the downfall of souls and are blessed across the three worlds.

Like a celestial wish-fulfilling vine, you grant fruits in this world; he who bows to you does not fall into sorrow. O Ganga, who delights in flowing into the ocean, you whose side-long glances captivate even those averse to the worldly life.

O Mother, if one has bathed in your current, they are never again born from the womb. O Jahnu’s daughter, Ganga, you who prevent entry into hell, destroy all impurities, and stand supreme in your glory.

Glory, glory to you, O daughter of Jahnu, with your holy waves and compassionate gaze, you who possess a divine form. Your feet are adorned by the gems of Indra’s crown; you are the giver of happiness and auspiciousness, the ultimate refuge for your servants.

O Divine Mother, take away my diseases, sorrows, afflictions, sins, and the multitude of my evil thoughts. You are the essence of the three worlds and the necklace of the earth; you are indeed my only refuge in this world.

O Alakananda, source of supreme bliss, show your compassion, O you who are worshipped by the distressed. Whoever dwells near your banks truly resides in Vaikuntha (the abode of the Divine).

It is better to be a tortoise or a fish in your waters, or even a frail lizard upon your banks, or a lowly, destitute outcaste, than to be a kingly person who remains far away from you.

O Goddess of the worlds, O virtuous and blessed One, O Divine Being who flows as liquid grace, O daughter of the great sage Jahnu, whoever faithfully recites this pure hymn to Ganga truly attains victory.

Those who hold devotion to Ganga in their hearts always attain happiness and liberation, expressed through these sweet, captivating, and rhythmic verses that are filled with supreme bliss.

This Ganga Stotram is the essence of existence, the granter of all desired fruits, pure and quintessential. Composed by the servant of Shankara, whoever reads it becomes happy; here concludes the hymn to you.