Ganga's relationship with Shiva

ritika06

@ritika06

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Posted: 13 years ago

#1

I have going through the net to know about Ganga's relationship with Lord Shiv.In one website it is written that in Kalidas's Kumarasambhava,it's written that Ganga is the second wife of Shiv.😕

In one website it is written that Ganga had fallen in love with Shiv but Shiv didn't reciprocate her feelings.She got little angry and went to heaven.After many years,when Bhagirath did the tapasya to get Ganga back to earth,she decided to was away Shiv alongwith her waters to teach him a lesson for rejecting her love.But Shiv understood her plan and tied her in her hair to break her pride.

I don't know which one is true.

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whatthewhat

@whatthewhat

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Posted: 13 years ago

#2

am pasting what I posted what I wrote on another thread:

There are many layers to the Ganga-Shiva relationship.

In one source from Bengal, Ganga is considered Shiva's first wife and Parvati the usurper.

I have also heard of fights between Shiva and Parvati re. his relationship with Ganga (can look up the source of anyone is interested).

And I have seen a beautiful Kangra painting (18th c) called "Siva embracing Ganga"...it's in the India Office Library in London. If you're ever in London, do look it up.

So obviously, there are variants. there is no "one true" myth.

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ritika06

@ritika06

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Posted: 13 years ago

#3

can u give us the source about shiv and parvati fight regarding ganga?i am eager to read it

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whatthewhat

@whatthewhat

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Posted: 13 years ago

#4

Sure - just dug out my stuff from an undergrad course on comparative mythology

In the Brahma Purana 74. 8-22 & 75. 31-50

Devi is jealous of the Ganga being in Shiva matted locks. She then tells Ganesha and Skanda (Kartikeya) that Shiva is the lover of Ganga. Ganesha then tricks Shiva into granting a boon to the sage Gautama, who then asks that the Ganga descend to the earth, thus removing Devi's jealousy.

In the Kanchimahatmya (25.1-22, 26) and in the Skanda Purana (1.3, 1.4.1-31) there is a story of Devi cursing Ganga to become a candali woman. Ganga then has to perform severe tapas to return to her form.

The Bengali source I mentioned is called Brhaddharma Purana.

Yet the most widely known myth is that Shiva receives the Ganga on his head to protect the earth from her force (with no suggestion of marriage between the two).

This story occurs in Shiva purana, Linga purana, Vayu purana, brahmanda purana, in the ramayana etc...

Hope that helps.

The point I was trying to make is that there are almost always variants (sometimes contradictions) in Hindu mythology. - which is what makes it so wonderful , IMO.

Edited by narangi_77 - 13 years ago

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whatthewhat

@whatthewhat

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Posted: 13 years ago

#5

For arguments between Shiva and Parvati, See

Matsya Purana (155.5-9) Padma Purana (5.41.5-9), Skanda Purana (1.2.27.63-8)

For ex... Shiva teases Parvati by calling her Kali (the dark one), and Parvati gets angry retaliates by listing Shiva's faults...she calls him many names...including "woman chaser".

Edited by narangi_77 - 13 years ago

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shruti

@-Nymphadora-

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Posted: 13 years ago

#6

Originally posted by: ritika06
I have going through the net to know about Ganga's relationship with Lord Shiv.In one website it is written that in Kalidas's Kumarasambhava,it's written that Ganga is the second wife of Shiv.😕
In one website it is written that Ganga had fallen in love with Shiv but Shiv didn't reciprocate her feelings.She got little angry and went to heaven.After many years,when Bhagirath did the tapasya to get Ganga back to earth,she decided to was away Shiv alongwith her waters to teach him a lesson for rejecting her love.But Shiv understood her plan and tied her in her hair to break her pride.

I don't know which one is true.

they may show this track-the way they are going high chances that they will😕

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Nandini

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Posted: 13 years ago

#7

Originally posted by: shruti.nil

they may show this track-the way they are going high chances that they will

@bold i also think they will show this track. This is the most popular version i guess. But its a bit difficult to concieve this with jagtarini papnashini ganga who is a pious godess who takes away sins of others unto herself. She is considered to be totaly pious and is believed to be a giver of moksha. So how can she have such such feelings. Or maybe she got cleansed of such vikars when shiva caught her in his jata

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shruti

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Posted: 13 years ago

#8

@Nandini-Prior to getting placed on Mahadevs Jaata Ganga was perceived to be very haughty and arrogant-which explains why she was wanting to descend on earth with such a force that almost everyone got washed away-beacuse she was being made to do it against her will...and also maybe because she knew how important she was

the Ganga we know as of today is the one who changed,beacame much calmer,and pious once she took her place on Mahadevs Jaata-i guess that was Mahadevs influence on her!

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Nandini

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Posted: 13 years ago

#9

@ shruti yeah absoutely. By virtue of mahadev's influence ganga became pious and pure and became a giver. But dont you think the actress was looking to glamarous for the pure and pious role?

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shruti

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Posted: 13 years ago

#10

Devi Ganga was supposed to be attractive-also Ganga before getting placed in Mahdevs head needs to have a slight attitude to her,which the actress has,but yes once she gets placed on Mahadevs head shell have to look calmer!

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Ganga's relationship with Shiva

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