Significance of Shri Ganga and role of Sahaja Yogis
The flow of river Ganga is a metaphor to our own spiritual ascent. The very power through which Ganga itself became pure and vibrated, is flowing within all the Sahaja Yogis. When one comes to this place one feels and understand what it truly means to be pure and what the joy of purity is. The purity of Ganga purifies us and the silence of Himalayas reflect the effulgence of the pure spirit within which is transcendent, detached and eternal, just like a shining sun in clear azure sky devoid of any clouds. Let us learn more about the significance of this great river and how it can aid us in our spiritual journey.
The river Ganga is one of the major attributes of Shri Shiva who presides on the Ida Nadi. Shri Shiva resides in our heart as the Nirmala Atman (Pure Spirit). He himself controls the flow of Ganga which flows to purify the human desires with benevolent powers of Shri Shiva. Shri Ganga is the Ida Nadi (Moon Channel) of Shri Virata. We all understand how important it is to have strong Ida Nadi as basis of our spiritual ascent is purity, purity of mind and purity of desire. |
Why Yogis need to visit Shri Ganga (an excerpt from Sri Devi Bhagwat)
Once due to an ancient curse of Shri Saraswati and divine working, Devi Ganga had to renounce her divine form and take partial incarnation in India as river Ganga. Lord Vishnu said to Ganga that Devi you must go to India and purify all sons of Saggar (ancient king whose son Bhagirath did penance to bring Ganga on earth to redeem his ancestors). He said sins of all previous birth would get neutralized just by being in the contact with the air that skims over the holy river Ganga. Those who enter the waters of the Ganga with the pure desire of getting cleansed, they get blessing that are tenfold. Ganga said, Lord I would follow your commands and go to India however all kinds of sinners will come and unburden their past and present sins on me. In these circumstances how would I ever become cleaned? Please tell me the solution before I leave and how long must I stay in India and when I would be worthy to return back to your abode? Lord Vishnu said Gange! I am aware of all your intentions and desires, you will descend in India as a river and a part of me will be the ocean so you will always have proximity to me. You will remain in India for 5000 years of Kaliyuga. Even if thousands of sinners burden you with their sins, just a contact with a devotee of Shri Adishakti (Sahaja Yogis) will neutralize the entire effect. - Chapter 9 episode 11 (Story of the birth of Ganga)
Thus one can see, that it is not only the yogis who get cleansed by taking dip in the holy waters of Shri Ganga but this is also how Shri Ganga is able to get rid of all the sins and negativities that are offloaded onto her. So in a way it is not only for our own cleansing that we must go to Shri Ganga but it is also our responsibility to do our part as devotees of Shri Adishakti to help Shri Ganga maintain her purity and it has been so ordained since the time of this ancient event. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Shri Mataji wanted to have a place of collectivity for Sahaja yogis at the foothills of Himalayas in the lap of Shri Ganga.
Holy Land
The place where Ganga Project is located (Vyasghat) is a particularly significant one. The area around Vyasghat is very ancient and historical. At Vyasghat, Shri Ganga starts forming a perfect Omkara. With the first bend of the OM, Shri Ganga encloses a land which in olden times was called Brahmapuri, the congregation of the deities. Great Sage Veda Vyas established his ashram there; the locals call it 'Puja Land'.
The place where Ganga Project is located (Vyasghat) is a particularly significant one. The area around Vyasghat is very ancient and historical. At Vyasghat, Shri Ganga starts forming a perfect Omkara. With the first bend of the OM, Shri Ganga encloses a land which in olden times was called Brahmapuri, the congregation of the deities. Great Sage Veda Vyas established his ashram there; the locals call it 'Puja Land'.
Pilgrimage to Shri Ganga Mata
Pilgrimage to Shri Ganga Mata is a mirror to our spiritual ascent a reflection of the same purifying power of Kundalini that flows within us. Shri Mataji many times has used the allegory of Ganga to illustrate the great significance of what we have been bestowed. Coming to this place is a reminder, attaining that purity leads one to the deepening experience of that spiritual joy which lies within us all.
Here are some quotes from talks of Shri Mataji on Shri Ganga.
Pilgrimage to Shri Ganga Mata
Pilgrimage to Shri Ganga Mata is a mirror to our spiritual ascent a reflection of the same purifying power of Kundalini that flows within us. Shri Mataji many times has used the allegory of Ganga to illustrate the great significance of what we have been bestowed. Coming to this place is a reminder, attaining that purity leads one to the deepening experience of that spiritual joy which lies within us all.
Here are some quotes from talks of Shri Mataji on Shri Ganga.
Another thing is, you see, I, in the West I never used to make the Panchamruta with My Feet, but with My hands, because here people would think that there’s a dirty thing, feet is, and we should not have of the Feet, you see. But
actually the Feet are very powerful, and they can never be dirty.
Like the river Ganges has vibrations. If you have the water of Ganges you’ll see that it will never be dirtied. On the contrary whatever are inside that, – because it is never sort of very kept clean, – whatever dirt has gone into it, settles down and doesn’t dirty the thing at all. It’s very clean water, all the time vibrating. So, one must understand, whatever is pure, which is responsible for purity, which is the source of purity, can cleanse
any impurity. So how it can be impure? But with the brain if you’re thinking, it’s so limited. You cannot think of something which is just the embodiment of purity. This is the point we have come now, where I think I should talk about the Absolute. That is Shri Ganesha. 1982-0822, Shri Ganesha Puja
This essence of Brahma is the Ganga Tattwa as, in the Sanskrit, He is called as the Ganga Principle. From here, we have to understand that is the first principle and that is the principle of innocence. That is a principle of holiness, that is a principle of chastity within us. That is the principle by which we preserve ourselves, by which we respect ourselves. That principle has been incarnated on this earth, as I have told you. He's created as Ganesha but He's incarnated as Jesus Christ, is the Brahma Tattwa.
1978-0911, The Principle of Brahma
actually the Feet are very powerful, and they can never be dirty.
Like the river Ganges has vibrations. If you have the water of Ganges you’ll see that it will never be dirtied. On the contrary whatever are inside that, – because it is never sort of very kept clean, – whatever dirt has gone into it, settles down and doesn’t dirty the thing at all. It’s very clean water, all the time vibrating. So, one must understand, whatever is pure, which is responsible for purity, which is the source of purity, can cleanse
any impurity. So how it can be impure? But with the brain if you’re thinking, it’s so limited. You cannot think of something which is just the embodiment of purity. This is the point we have come now, where I think I should talk about the Absolute. That is Shri Ganesha. 1982-0822, Shri Ganesha Puja
This essence of Brahma is the Ganga Tattwa as, in the Sanskrit, He is called as the Ganga Principle. From here, we have to understand that is the first principle and that is the principle of innocence. That is a principle of holiness, that is a principle of chastity within us. That is the principle by which we preserve ourselves, by which we respect ourselves. That principle has been incarnated on this earth, as I have told you. He's created as Ganesha but He's incarnated as Jesus Christ, is the Brahma Tattwa.
1978-0911, The Principle of Brahma
Try to feel for yourselves how this love is flowing all around you like the river Ganga! It is such a beautiful sensation. Look at the singer who forgets his whole self in his Raag and senses his whole surrounding changing as if in response to the music. In the same way, you too will be able to see the whole Universe engulfing you in response to your love! But, firstly you must awaken this power of ‘Laa’ which manifests itself within you as the Chaitanya Lahiris (the cool breeze).
We should always stay in the state of ‘Nirvicharita’. Whenever a thought comes, ask yourself why such dirt has invaded the beautiful Ganga of God’s pure Love. In this way, our attention will always be focused on the power of ‘Laa’ and we will always feel the presence of ‘Nirmal Prem’ (or pure love) in our hearts!
1980-1231, Nirmala Vidya
Man: The vibrated water. You spoke about vibrated water. Where does it come from?
Shri Mata Ji: It comes from people who have vibrations. Those who are realized their souls have vibrations. They can feel the cool breeze in their hands. Even if they put hand in the water it is vibrated. All such people, saints and all that, whatever water comes from them is vibrated. For example the river, Ganga here, Ganges is, has got vibrations. I mean, you have to become that then you can feel it, right? Unless and until you have that, subtle within you, you cannot feel it. To you everybody is just the same. Every bottle is just the same.
1998-1214, Public Program, The Revival of Indian Spirituality
So you have to absorb that flow of the Ganges within you and assimilate it and transform yourself. The Ganges would be flowing, but if it is flowing through the stony area, the stones are not going to absorb anything from the river Ganges. But if it is flowing through fertile land, everybody will be making use of that water. So you have to make use of your Kundalini by transforming yourself. Try to transform. The river Ganges is flowing, you have to go to the river. You have to fill your pitchers, you have to have beautiful pitchers; you have to carry them; you have to bring them home and then use the water for enrichment of your food, of your household. In the same way, if you cannot transform yourself, if you do not, cannot change yourself then this Kundalini will be just going like a thin line and you'll be catching all the time and there won't be much progress. The progress must be shown outside.
1980-0127, Transformation, Morning Advice at Bordi seminar
The hidden negativity in this way is totally destroyed and Kundalini rises up in the front and goes on like the Ganges brought by the king Bhagirath. To bring The Ganges Bhagirath had done tremendous efforts, and for bring Kundalini into your awareness I have also done many many efforts in My earlier incarnations and also in this incarnation. Now you see its result that This Ganges is flowing at your doorsteps. Kundalini will move with your signals and you can give realization to people while going on your way. By your hands many diseases like cancer are cured and this is true and we must accept this too.
How all this happen? The reason is that you have become the weapons of the All Pervading Power of Divine Love of God Almighty. He is using you. The same power is flowing within you and you are doing the work of the same power.
1975-0329, Public Program, Science/Trigunatmika