The auspicious Ganga Saptami was celebrated at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills on Saturday, 3 May 2025. Ganga Arati commenced at 4pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised readings from the book, Mother Ganga by Sri Swami Sivananda, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message, Kirtans, Bhajans and a recitation of the Ganga Stotram.
Sri Swami Sivananda says that Ganga Saptami marks the day the sacred waters of the Ganga descended from the heavens. Lord Siva received the Ganga's waters in His matted locks on this day. The Master considered the Ganga to be the most sacred river of India.
In the reading entitled, “Lord Siva Receives the Ganga”, from the book, Mother Ganga, the Master said, “Again, Bhagiratha sat doing rigorous penance for a full hundred years. It is needless to say that Lord Siva, the Protector of all His devotees, was immensely pleased with the king and readily accepted to check and control Ganga through His matted locks. With surge, fury and foam, Ganga began to descend from the celestial regions. Flashes of lightning, thunders from clouds, and the uncontrollable flow seemed as if a deluge was about to devour the whole world. But Lord Siva coolly received Her in His matted locks and let Her drip over Him. This is the Ganga Saptami Day”.
In the poem, “Gangotri”, the Master exudes love and admiration for the beautiful Gangotri. He said:
GANGOTRI
This is the Himalayas
In the Tehri-Garhwal State.
The Ganga’s source is here.
Ganga flows out of a cow’s mouth.
It is called Gaumukh.
It is actually an ice cave.
The temple contains images of Ganga, Bhagirathi.
Sadhus stay here
And practise meditation.
It is full of spiritual vibrations.
O Mother Bhagirathi, O Ganga,
Thou givest boons to all.
Thou art the remover of all miseries.
Thou art the purifier of all sinners.
Thou art the mistress of this world.
Thou art the nourisher of all.
Prostrations unto Thee, O Mother.
Om Namo Bhagavati Ganga Rani”.
In the following poem, Sri Gurudev refers to Mother Ganga’s divinity, beauty and majestic Aura.
QUEEN OF ALL RIVERS
Queen of all rivers! O Mother Ganga Rani!
Adorations and prostrations unto Thee, Ganga Rani!
Always keep me near Thee, Ganga Rani. Thou art very, very dear to me, Ganga Rani.
I dive in Thee several times Ganga Rani.
I drink daily Ganga water, Ganga Rani.
Thou art my very life, Ganga Rani.
You refresh my heart, Ganga Rani.
How charming are Thy splashes, Ganga Rani.
Thy blue colour reminds me always of Lord Krishna, Ganga Rani.
Thou art a potent germicide, Ganga Rani.
No microbe can live in Thee, Ganga Rani.
This is the laboratory report of scientists, Ganga Rani.
Sadhus and Sannyasins like to live on Thy banks, Ganga Rani.
Sitting for five minutes on Thy bank gives inspiration and peace, Ganga Rani.
Again and again, salutations unto Thee, O Ganga Rani.
Bless me, guide me, protect me, Ganga Rani”.
Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on the importance of dispassion and obedience. Upon his insistence to visit Sri Gurudev for the first time, the Master agreed. Pujya Swamiji missed his friends back home whilst in Rishikesh. He said to Sri Gurudev that he did not possess qualifications and that he should return home, to which the Master said, “They will come”. Sri Gurudev told Pujya Swamiji to have a cold bath in the Ganga. The Master was very stern. No one was to follow him, again indicative of his taciturn nature at that time. On Pujya Swamiji’s subsequent visit to the Ashram in Rishikesh, the Master talked and joked more and had the bearing of a grandfather. Sri Gurudev showed immense compassion towards Pujya Swamiji. Pujya Swamiji’s strong conviction and steadfast nature is evident when he was offered a teaching post back home in Estcourt. However, he refused the post as he had made a commitment to take up a post at FOSA Settlement. He recounted Sri Gurudev’s instruction to him to open a branch in South Africa and to do some silent work. His deep contemplation over the instruction, and his strong desire to obey the Master, led him to say, “If it succeeds, it is all your will; if it fails it is all your will”. Pujya Swamiji’s unconditional loyalty, obedience and dedication to the Master’s Mission are overtly evident, as the Society has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in this country.
The mellifluous Ganga Stotram that was beautifully recited, is a sacred hymn praising the Goddess Ganga, the Divine River. “Stotram” is a Sanskrit word meaning “hymn” or “prayer”. It emphasises the river's purity, power, and ability to cleanse and uplift. It is a prayer for spiritual liberation and well-being, praising the river's divine nature and seeking its blessings. The hymn praises Ganga's divine qualities and describes Her as a divine river from heaven, a saviour of the three worlds, pure, and adorned on the head of Lord Siva. The hymn seeks Ganga's blessings, and emphasises spiritual liberation. It is considered powerful and beneficial for reciting or listening and fosters spiritual growth.
May the blessings of Mother Ganga, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda be upon us all!
