Agni Purāṇa

110 - The greatness of Ganga

Agni said:

1. Ishall describe the greatness of (river) Gangå.sheshould be worshipped.she yields enjoyment and liberation. The countries through whichshe flows are holy and excellent.

2. The (river) Ganges is the succour for the beings who resort to it always. The (river) Ganges duly worshipped, succours the two lines of ancestors.

3. The drinking of the waters of Ganges (confers the merits of performance of) thousands of Chandrayana. One who worships the Ganges for a month gets the fruits of all sacrificial rites.

4. The goddess (Ganges) destroys all sins and confers (access to) heavens. One continues to stay in heavens as long as (his) bones remain in the (waters of the) Ganges.

5. Blind people and others attain equal status with the celestials by worshipping her. The carrying of the earth dug up from the beds of Ganges destroys one's sins just as the Sun.

6. (The river) purifies hundreds and thousands of holy men who look at it, touch it, drink (its waters) and repeat (the word) Ganges.

Summary of chapter 110 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:

Propitiatory rites for the nine grahas (Sūrya through Ketu) are detailed to counteract adverse planetary periods (daśā, antarā). Each graha receives worship with characteristic colours, flowers, grains, and samidhs: Sūrya with red flowers and arka-samidh, Candra with white lotus and palāśa, Maṅgala with red khadira, and so forth. The mantra-counts for each graha-japa and the prescribed dāna items (cow, horse, black goat) are given in sequence. Regular graha-śānti removes disease, debt, and premature death.