12 - The story of Ganga

Narada said—Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Ganga and Tulasi arc the purifiers of the universe or the spouses of lord Vishnu. And I have come to know that Ganga went to Vaikuntha. Therefore, О Kesava, you kindly let me know how Ganga became the spouse of Vishnu. 

Narayana said—On the departure of Ganga to Vaikuntha, Brahma also arrived there and bowing in reverence to the lord together with Ganga said. 

Brahma said—Ganga was born out of the bodies of Radha and Krishna. She therefore is the goddess of the waters, she is quite youthful on earth, is quite meek, beautiful and devoid of arrogance and anger. 

She doesn't want to be wedded to anyone else except the one from whom she is born but Radhika who happens to be quite powerful and arrogant intended to drink her up. But inspite of getting panickly, she acted wisely and took refuge under the feet of lord Krishna. 

Finding the entire universe having been dried up I went to lord Krishna in the Goloka. Lord Krishna who happens to be the soul of everyone, well realised the purpose of my arrival there and from the toe of his foot he made the Ganga to flow. 

О lord, thereafter I bestowed the mantra of Radhika on Ganga and filled the universe with her water. Thereafter bowing my head at the feet of Radhika and Krishna, I have arrived here with her. Therefore, you accept her by means of the Gandharva type of marriage, because you are the lord of the gods and quite passionate. Besides you are the gem of the humans and she happens to be the gem of ladies. Therefore, she is the most appropriate lady for you. 

The one who rejects a damsel in arrogance, the goddess Lakshmi gets annoyed with him. There is no doubt about it. 

The wise person does not humiliate the Prakruti because the humans are bom out of Prakruti and the ladies are just the race of Prakruti. 

You arc the only lord who are beyond Prakruti and are invisible. The whole lord Krishna was separated into two parts, from one half emerged lord Krishna having two arms and the second half is represented by you as lord Hari having four arms. 

In the earlier times Radhika too had emerged out of the left part of lord Krishna. She was therefore divided into two parts. In her right part, she maintained her original self and from the left half emerged Lakshmi. The Ganga also emerged similarly. 

Therefore, she having born out of your bodies intends to become your spouse because like Purusha and Prakruti or the men and women are one and the same. 

Thus speaking, Brahma left the Ganga with lord Vishnu and returned from that place. Thereafter lord Vishnu arranged a Gandharva marriage and accepted the hand of Ganga. Thereafter lord Vishnu enjoyed the company of Ganga on the flowery bed. 

Ganga was so called because she returned to the earth. Because she emerged out of the feet of Vishnu she was called Vishnupadl. 

Thus because of her union with Vishnu, she fainted. Finding her in this position Sarasvati took pity on her and all her jealousy disappeared but after some time Sarasvati became jealous of Ganga, though Ganga in turn never reciprocated. 

Thus О sage, lord Vishnu had three spouses and subsequently, another, Tulasi was added to the number.