Oshadhis’ Stotra to Gaṅgā (Brahma Purāṇa)
Oshadhi Kṛta Gaṅgā Stotra · oshadhi kṛta gaṅgā stotra, “the stotra to the Gaṅgā sung by the oshadhis”
The Oshadhis’ Stotra to Gaṅgā is the praise of four verses that the oshadhis, the healing herbs and mothers of the worlds, sang to the Gaṅgā flowing on earth as the Gautamī, when they sought a husband and king. It is found in the Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 49 (verses 9–12), where Brahmā tells Nārada the glory of Somatīrtha. In it they hail the Gautamī as the beloved of Śambhu, the queen of rivers and mother of the worlds, held on Bhagavān Śiva’s head, one with Brahman, risen from the lotus feet of Bhagavān Vishṇu and from the jaṭā of Śambhu. Pleased, the Gaṅgā gave them Soma, who has amṛta within, as their husband and king.
The setting
Brahmā tells Nārada that long ago the oshadhis were the mothers of the worlds, honoured by all beings; they are Brahmā’s own divine mothers, the most ancient of all. Dharma is rooted in them, and so are the study of the Vedas and the rites of yajña; the three worlds with all that moves and does not move are sustained by them. They cure every ailment, food comes from them, and all lives are saved by them. Yet, free of pride, the oshadhis came to Brahmā and said, “Best of devas, give us a king; give us a husband.”
Brahmā said, “All of you will gain a husband, a king who will increase your joy.” When they asked where they should go, he told them: “Let the mothers go to the Gautamī. If she is pleased, you will have a king honoured by the world.” So the oshadhis went to the river Gautamī and praised her.
The stotra
The oshadhis said:
- “O Gautamī, whose waters give puṇya, O beloved of Śambhu: had you not come down to the earth, could people suffering from contact with many pāpas have lived at all?
- Who knows the fate of beings on earth, O queen of rivers? O mother Gaṅgā, you destroy their pāpas, and you are ever easy for them to reach.
- O Gaṅgā, honoured by the three worlds, O mother of the worlds, does anyone know your true greatness? Though Gaurī closely embraces his body, Bhagavān Śiva holds you on his head.
- Namaskāra to you, O mother, giver of all desires! Namaskāra to you, destroyer of pāpas, Devī who is one with Brahman! Namaskāra to you, river risen from the lotus feet of Vishṇu! Namaskāra to you, river risen from the jaṭā of Śambhu!”
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 49
The vara and the phala
Even as they were praising her, the Devī said, “What shall I give you?” The oshadhis said, “Mother of the universe, give us a husband, a king of great splendour.” The Gaṅgā answered: “I am of the nature of amṛta, and the oshadhis are mothers of the nature of amṛta. I shall give you Soma as your husband, for he has amṛta within.” The devas, the ṛshis, Soma and the oshadhis accepted it, and all went to their own abodes.
The place where the great oshadhis gained Soma as their king, he who removes all distress and pāpa, is known as Somatīrtha. Bathing and giving dāna there gives the fruit of drinking the Soma juice of the yajña, and the pitṛs of one who bathes and gives gifts there reach svarga. One who hears this account daily, or reads it, or remembers it with bhakti gains long life, sons and wealth.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 49
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 49