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THE DIVINE GANG-.   II

from the matted hair of the great god Çiva, through the influence of the sage Bhagiratha; the river Ganga. wife of Sumudra, pure and destroying sin.»

Again, the Ramayana tells us how Çiva »cast Ganga off in the direction of the Vindu lake. And as she was let off, seven streams branched out from her. And the three streams of the excellent Ganga of auspicious waters took an easterly direction; while the Suchakshu, the Sita, and that mighty river the Sindhu flowed on the auspicious west. And the seventh followed Bhagiratha's car. And that royal saint, the exceedingly puissant Bhagiratha, mounted on a superb car, went before; and Ganga followed him . . .» 2

At another place Ganga is described as the daughter of Himalaya: »And having repaired to the north side of that mountain (Himalaya), Mahegvara along with the goddess became engaged in austerities on the peak Himavatprabhava. I have now related unto thee, O Rama, the spread of the Mountain's daughter (Ganga).»3 And further: »When Ravana proceeded by the aerial way . . . and again going up ten thousand leagues he reached the eighth aerial region where Ganga, known as the Ganges of the sky, having strong currents and sending high roars, and upheld by air, is situated on the sun's way.» 4

On account of the Ganges' descent from heaven this river is also called Devabhûti, »produced in heaven», and Khapaga, »flowing from heaven».

The Ganges descended from Çiva's brow in seven rivers, the Sapta-sindhavas. According to Dowson this expression is often met with in the Vedas and was widely known, even by the Romans in Augustus' days, for Virgil, Eneid, IX. 30, says: Ceu septem surgens sedatis amnibus altus — per tacitum Ganges. In Zend they are called Hapta-hendu. Dowson relates the hymn in which the names of the rivers have been given : »Each set of seven (streams) has followed a threefold course. The Sindhu surpasses the other rivers in impetuosity . . . Receive favorably this my hymn, O Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Çutudri, Parushni; hear, O Marud-vridha, with the Asikni and Vitasta, and thou, Arjikiya, with the Sushoma. Unite first in thy course with the Trishtama, the Susartu, the Rasa, and the Çvetya; thou meetest with the Gomati, and the Krumu with the Kubha and the Mehatnû !» According to this the seven rivers are — I) Ganga (Ganges); 2) Yamuna (Jumna); 3) Sarasvati (Sarsuti); 4) Çutudri (Satlej); 5) Parushni; 6) Marud-vridha; 7) Arjikiya. (the Vipaça, Hyphasis, Byas) . . . In the Mahabharata the seven rivers are named in one place Vasokasara, Nalini, Pavani, Ganga, Sita, Sindhu, and Jambûnadi; and in another, Ganga, Yamuna, Plakshaga, Rathastha, Sarayu (Sarju), Gomati, and Gandaki (Gandak).» In the Ramayana and the Puranas the seven streams are the Nalini, Hladini,

I The History of India from the earliest ages. By J. Talboys Wheeler, Vol. II, p. 45 and 138.

2 The Ramayana, Vol. I, p. 104.

3 Ibidem p. 91.

4 Ibidem, Vol. VII, Calcutta 1894, p. 1642.