Canto XXXVI: The Birth Of Gangá

The hours of night now waning fast On Śona's pleasant shore they passed. Then, when the dawn began to break. To Ráma thus the hermit spake:-- "The light of dawn is breaking clear, The hour of morning rites is near. Rise, Ráma, rise, dear son, I pray, And make thee ready for the way." Then Ráma rose, and finished all His duties at the hermit's call-- Prepared with joy the road to take, And thus again in question spake:-- "Here fair and deep the Śona flows, And many an isle its bosom shows: What way, O Saint, will lead us o'er And land us on the farther shore?" The saint replied: "The way I choose Is that which pious hermits use." For many a league they journeyed on Till, when the sun of mid-day shone, The hermit-haunted flood was seen Of Jáhnaví, the Rivers' Queen. Soon as the holy stream they viewed, Thronged with a white-winged multitude Of sárases and swans, delight Possessed them at the lovely sight; And then prepared the hermit band To halt upon that holy strand. They bathed as Scripture bids, and paid Oblations due to God and shade. To Fire they burnt the offerings meet, And sipped the oil, like Amrit sweet. Then pure and pleased they sate around Saint Viśvámitra, on the ground. The holy men of lesser note, In due degree, sate more remote, While Raghu's sons took nearer place By virtue of their rank and race. Then Ráma said: "O Saint, I yearn The three-pathed Gangá's tale to learn."

Thus urged, the sage recounted both The birth of Gangá and her growth:-- "The mighty hill with metals stored, Himálaya, is the mountains' lord, The father of a lovely pair Of daughters fairest of the fair-- Their mother, offspring of the will Of Meru, everlasting hill, Mená, Himálaya's darling, graced With beauty of her dainty waist. Gangá was elder-born:--then came The fair one known by Umá's name. Then all the Gods of heaven, in need Of Gangá's help their vows to speed, To great Himálaya came and prayed The Mountain King to yield the maid. He, not regardless of the weal Of the three worlds, with holy zeal His daughter to the Immortals gave, Gangá whose waters cleanse and save-- Who roams at pleasure, fair and free, Purging all sinners, to the sea. The three-pathed Gangá thus obtained, The Gods their heavenly homes regained. Long time the sister Umá passed In vows austere and rigid fast, And the King gave the devotee Immortal Rudra's bride to be-- Matching with that unequalled Lord His Umá through the worlds adored. So now a glorious station fills Each daughter of the King of Hills-- One honored as the noblest stream, One mid the Goddesses supreme. Thus Gangá, King Himálaya's child, The heavenly river, undefiled, Rose bearing with her to the sky Her waves that bless and purify."

[Cantos XXXVII and XXXVIII are omitted.]