- By Kashish Rai
- Wed, 04 Jun 2025 05:46 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ganga Dussehra 2025, also known as Gangavatan is celebrated on the tenth day of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. This year, Ganga Dussehra falls on 5th June 2025. On this special occasion, the river Goddess Ganga is believed to have made her sacred descent to Earth. In Hinduism, Mother Ganga is highly revered and the subject of numerous intriguing legends. She drowned her seven sons soon after they were born, according to one fascinating story from the Mahabharata. This deeply symbolic legend aids in our comprehension of the Ganga's divine and potent nature. Let's look at this interesting story below.
Why Ganga Maiya Killed Her 7 Sons Immediately After Birth?
Since it would entail being confined to a mortal body and dealing with numerous difficulties, no deity desires to be born in human form on Earth. Such a birth is nearly a curse to them. Known for granting life and purging sins, Mother Ganga is a sacred river that flows on Earth. However, she surprised many during the Mahabharata era by drowning her seven sons, defying her nurturing nature. Her unusual act's deeper motivation is revealed in this story.
The eight Vasus, divine entities that stand for the elements Earth, Water, Fire and Air were said to have been connected to Ganga's deeds. After the Vasus stole a cow from Sage Vashishta, he became enraged and cursed them to be born as mortals on Earth. When they pleaded for forgiveness, the curse was eased, allowing Prabhasa, the eighth, to live a long life while the other seven would perish within a year of birth. To help them escape this fate, Maa Ganga consented to be their mother on Earth.
A representational image depicting the river goddess Ganga drowning her son while King Shantanu chases her behind. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
After an incident in Brahma's court, King Shantanu, who was in a previous life known as Mahabhisha, was cursed to be born on Earth. Ganga asked to wed King Pratipa when she appeared before him, but he told her to wed his son instead. On the understanding that Shantanu would never question her behaviour, she consented. After they got married, Ganga drowned the first seven of their sons to break the curse.
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Ganga explained everything to Shantanu when he finally asked her about it after the birth of the eighth son, and then she left with the child. She made sure their son, Devavrata, who would go on to become Bhishma Pitamah, received a good education and training. She eventually gave him back to Shantanu. In the legendary tale, only Bhishma survived the curse and led an extraordinary life.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)