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Ganga Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

गंगा स्तोत्र

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Ganga Stotram with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Devi Sureshwari Bhagavati Gange Tribhuvana-tarini Tarala-tarange.
  2. Verse 2. Bhagirathi Sukhadayini Matas-tava jala-mahima nigame khyatah.
  3. Verse 3. Hari-pada-padya-tarangini Gange Hima-vidhu-mukta-dhavala-tarange.
  4. Verse 4. Tava jalam-amalam yena nipitam Parama-padam khalu tena grihitam.
  5. Verse 5. Patitod-dharini Jahnavi Gange Khandita-girivara-mandita-bhange.
  6. Verse 6. Kalpa-latam-iva phaladam loke Pranamati yas-tvam na patati shoke.
  7. Verse 7. Tava chen-matah srotah snatah Punar-api jathare so'pi na jatah.
  8. Verse 8. Punar-asad-ange punya-tarange Jaya jaya Jahnavi karuna-pange.
  9. Verse 9. Rogam shokam tapam papam Hara me bhagavati kumati-kalapam.
  10. Verse 10. Alakanande Paramanande Kuru karunamayi katara-vandye.
  11. Verse 11. Varam-iha nire kamatho minah Kim va tire sharatah kshinah.
  12. Verse 12. Bho Bhuvaneshwari Punye Dhanye Devi dravamayi muni-vara-kanye.
  13. Verse 13. Yesham hridaye Ganga-bhaktis-tesham bhavati sada sukha-muktih.
  14. Verse 14. Ganga-stotram-idam bhava-saram Vanchhita-phaladam vimalam saram.
Verse 1#

Devi Sureshwari Bhagavati Gange Tribhuvana-tarini Tarala-tarange.

देवि सुरेश्वरि भगवति गङ्गे त्रिभुवनतारिणि तरलतरङ्गे। शङ्करमौलिविहारिणि विमले मम मतिरास्तां तव पदकमले॥

Devi Sureshwari Bhagavati Gange Tribhuvana-tarini Tarala-tarange. Shankara-mauli-viharini Vimale Mama matir-astam tava pada-kamale.

MeaningO Goddess, queen of the gods, divine Ganga, who carries the three worlds across with your trembling waves; you who play in Shiva's matted locks, O pure one — may my mind rest at your lotus feet.

Verse 2#

Bhagirathi Sukhadayini Matas-tava jala-mahima nigame khyatah.

भागीरथि सुखदायिनि मातस्तव जलमहिमा निगमे ख्यातः। नाऽहं जाने तव महिमानं पाहि कृपामयि मामज्ञानम्॥

Bhagirathi Sukhadayini Matas-tava jala-mahima nigame khyatah. Naham jane tava mahimanam Pahi kripamayi mam-ajnanam.

MeaningO Bhagirathi, giver of joy, O Mother — the glory of your waters is sung in the Vedas. I do not know your greatness; protect me, O compassionate one, in my ignorance.

Verse 3#

Hari-pada-padya-tarangini Gange Hima-vidhu-mukta-dhavala-tarange.

हरिपदपाद्यतरङ्गिणि गङ्गे हिमविधुमुक्ताधवलतरङ्गे। दूरीकुरु मम दुष्कृतिभारं कुरु कृपया भवसागरपारम्॥

Hari-pada-padya-tarangini Gange Hima-vidhu-mukta-dhavala-tarange. Duri-kuru mama dushkriti-bharam Kuru kripaya bhava-sagara-param.

MeaningO Ganga, stream that washed the feet of Hari (Vishnu), with waves white as snow, moon and pearl — take away the burden of my misdeeds, and by your grace carry me across the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 4#

Tava jalam-amalam yena nipitam Parama-padam khalu tena grihitam.

तव जलममलं येन निपीतं परमपदं खलु तेन गृहीतम्। मातर्गङ्गे त्वयि यो भक्तः किल तं द्रष्टुं यमः शक्तः॥

Tava jalam-amalam yena nipitam Parama-padam khalu tena grihitam. Matar-Gange tvayi yo bhaktah Kila tam drashtum na Yamah shaktah.

MeaningWhoever has drunk your pure water has surely attained the supreme state. O Mother Ganga, upon your devotee — verily, even Yama, the lord of death, has no power to look.

Verse 5#

Patitod-dharini Jahnavi Gange Khandita-girivara-mandita-bhange.

पतितोद्धारिणि जाह्नवि गङ्गे खण्डितगिरिवरमण्डितभङ्गे। भीष्मजननि हे मुनिवरकन्ये पतितनिवारिणि त्रिभुवनधन्ये॥

Patitod-dharini Jahnavi Gange Khandita-girivara-mandita-bhange. Bhishma-janani he muni-vara-kanye Patita-nivarini tribhuvana-dhanye.

MeaningO uplifter of the fallen, Jahnavi Ganga, adorned with waves breaking upon the rent mountains; O mother of Bhishma, O daughter of the great sage, remover of the fallen's sins, blessed in the three worlds.

Verse 6#

Kalpa-latam-iva phaladam loke Pranamati yas-tvam na patati shoke.

कल्पलतामिव फलदाम् लोके प्रणमति यस्त्वां पतति शोके। पारावारविहारिणि गङ्गे विमुखयुवतिकृततरलापाङ्गे॥

Kalpa-latam-iva phaladam loke Pranamati yas-tvam na patati shoke. Paravara-viharini Gange Vimukha-yuvati-krita-tarala-pange.

MeaningLike a wish-granting creeper bearing fruit in this world — whoever bows to you does not fall into sorrow. O Ganga who sport upon both shores, whose tremulous side-glance turns even the indifferent toward you.

Verse 7#

Tava chen-matah srotah snatah Punar-api jathare so'pi na jatah.

तव चेन्मातः स्रोतः स्नातः पुनरपि जठरे सोऽपि जातः। नरकनिवारिणि जाह्नवि गङ्गे कलुषविनाशिनि महिमोत्तुङ्गे॥

Tava chen-matah srotah snatah Punar-api jathare so'pi na jatah. Naraka-nivarini Jahnavi Gange Kalusha-vinashini mahimottunge.

MeaningO Mother, one who has bathed in your stream is not born again in the womb. O Jahnavi Ganga, averter of hell, destroyer of impurity, lofty in glory.

Verse 8#

Punar-asad-ange punya-tarange Jaya jaya Jahnavi karuna-pange.

पुनरसदङ्गे पुण्यतरङ्गे जय जय जाह्नवि करुणापाङ्गे। इन्द्रमुकुटमणिराजितचरणे सुखदे शुभदे भृत्यशरण्ये॥

Punar-asad-ange punya-tarange Jaya jaya Jahnavi karuna-pange. Indra-mukuta-mani-rajita-charane Sukhade shubhade bhritya-sharanye.

MeaningUpon even the impure body you bestow purity, O holy-waved one — victory, victory to you, Jahnavi, of the compassionate glance; whose feet shine with the jewels of Indra's crown; giver of joy and good, refuge of your servants.

Verse 9#

Rogam shokam tapam papam Hara me bhagavati kumati-kalapam.

रोगं शोकं तापं पापं हर मे भगवति कुमतिकलापम्। त्रिभुवनसारे वसुधाहारे त्वमसि गतिर्मम खलु संसारे॥

Rogam shokam tapam papam Hara me bhagavati kumati-kalapam. Tribhuvana-sare Vasudha-hare Tvam-asi gatir-mama khalu samsare.

MeaningO Bhagavati, take from me disease, grief, suffering, sin and the whole tangle of my evil thoughts. O essence of the three worlds, garland of the earth — you alone are truly my refuge in this samsara.

Verse 10#

Alakanande Paramanande Kuru karunamayi katara-vandye.

अलकानन्दे परमानन्दे कुरु करुणामयि कातरवन्द्ये। तव तटनिकटे यस्य निवासः खलु वैकुण्ठे तस्य निवासः॥

Alakanande Paramanande Kuru karunamayi katara-vandye. Tava tata-nikate yasya nivasah Khalu Vaikunthe tasya nivasah.

MeaningO Alakananda, O supreme bliss, be merciful, O compassionate one, worthy of the prayers of the distressed. One who dwells upon your bank verily dwells in Vaikuntha.

Verse 11#

Varam-iha nire kamatho minah Kim va tire sharatah kshinah.

वरमिह नीरे कमठो मीनः किं वा तीरे शरटः क्षीणः। अथवा श्वपचो मलिनो दीनस्तव हि दूरे नृपतिकुलीनः॥

Varam-iha nire kamatho minah Kim va tire sharatah kshinah. Athava shvapacho malino dinas-tava na hi dure nripati-kulinah.

MeaningBetter to be a tortoise or a fish here in your water, or a frail lizard upon your bank, or even a lowly, wretched outcaste near you — than a high-born king far from you.

Verse 12#

Bho Bhuvaneshwari Punye Dhanye Devi dravamayi muni-vara-kanye.

भो भुवनेश्वरि पुण्ये धन्ये देवि द्रवमयि मुनिवरकन्ये। गङ्गास्तवमिमममलं नित्यं पठति नरो यः जयति सत्यम्॥

Bho Bhuvaneshwari Punye Dhanye Devi dravamayi muni-vara-kanye. Ganga-stavam-imam-amalam nityam Pathati naro yah sa jayati satyam.

MeaningO Bhuvaneshwari (queen of the worlds), holy and blessed, O Goddess of flowing water, daughter of the great sage — the man who daily recites this pure hymn to Ganga truly triumphs.

Verse 13#

Yesham hridaye Ganga-bhaktis-tesham bhavati sada sukha-muktih.

येषां हृदये गङ्गाभक्तिस्तेषां भवति सदा सुखमुक्तिः। मधुराकान्तापञ्झटिकाभिः परमानन्दकलितललिताभिः॥

Yesham hridaye Ganga-bhaktis-tesham bhavati sada sukha-muktih. Madhura-kanta-panjhatikabhih Paramananda-kalita-lalitabhih.

MeaningIn whose hearts there is devotion to Ganga, theirs is ever joy and liberation — through these sweet, lovely verses, full of supreme bliss.

Verse 14#

Ganga-stotram-idam bhava-saram Vanchhita-phaladam vimalam saram.

गङ्गास्तोत्रमिदं भवसारं वाञ्छितफलदम् विमलं सारम्। शङ्करसेवकशङ्कररचितं पठति सुखीस्तव इति समाप्तः॥

Ganga-stotram-idam bhava-saram Vanchhita-phaladam vimalam saram. Shankara-sevaka-Shankara-rachitam Pathati sukhi bhava tava iti cha samaptah.

MeaningThis Ganga Stotram is the essence of worldly life, granting the desired fruit, pure and excellent, composed by Shankara, the servant of Shankara. One who recites it becomes happy. Thus it is complete.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

देवि सुरेश्वरि
Devi Sureshwari
O Goddess, queen of the gods
भगवति गङ्गे
Bhagavati Gange
O divine Mother Ganga
त्रिभुवनतारिणि
Tribhuvana-tarini
who ferries the three worlds across (to liberation)
शङ्करमौलिविहारिणि
Shankara-mauli-viharini
who dwells/plays in Shiva's matted locks
भागीरथि
Bhagirathi
the one brought down to earth by King Bhagiratha
जाह्नवि
Jahnavi
daughter of the sage Jahnu
पतितोद्धारिणि
Patitod-dharini
uplifter of the fallen and sinful
भवसागरपारम्
Bhava-sagara-param
across the ocean of worldly existence (samsara)
परमपदम्
Parama-padam
the supreme state / liberation
अलकानन्दे
Alakanande
O Alakananda (the celestial source-stream of Ganga)
वैकुण्ठे
Vaikunthe
in Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu
शङ्करसेवकशङ्कररचितम्
Shankara-sevaka-Shankara-rachitam
composed by Shankara (Adi Shankara), the servant of Shankara (Shiva)

Origin & History

Source: Composed by Adi Shankaracharya

Author: Adi Shankaracharya

Period: c. 8th century CE

Adi Shankaracharya, the great teacher of Advaita Vedanta, composed this luminous hymn of fourteen verses to Maa Ganga — the river that descends from the feet of Vishnu through Shiva's matted locks to purify the earth. He calls upon her by her many names — Bhagirathi, Jahnavi, Alakananda — and prays for refuge at her lotus feet, declaring that she washes away every sin and carries the soul across the ocean of birth and death to the supreme abode.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ganga Stotram?
It is a hymn of fourteen verses to Maa Ganga, composed by Adi Shankaracharya, beginning 'Devi Sureshwari Bhagavati Gange'. It praises the river goddess by her many names — Bhagirathi, Jahnavi, Alakananda — and prays for refuge at her feet, for she washes away sin and grants liberation.
What are the benefits of reciting the Ganga Stotram?
The stotra promises that one who drinks Ganga's water or is devoted to her attains the supreme state and has no fear of Yama (death). Reciting it daily is said to wash away sins, remove disease and grief, and bring purity, peace and ultimately moksha.
When should the Ganga Stotram be recited?
It is recited at dawn beside the Ganga, during Ganga Snan (the holy bath), and at the evening Ganga Aarti. Ganga Dussehra (her descent to earth), Ganga Saptami and Kartik Purnima are the most auspicious days.
Who wrote the Ganga Stotram?
It was composed by Adi Shankaracharya (around the 8th century CE), the great teacher of Advaita Vedanta, who signs the final verse as 'Shankara, the servant of Shankara (Shiva)'.

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