Ganga · गंगा माता
श्री गंगा चालीसा
Ganga Chalisa
Ganga Dussehra, Kartik Purnima, snan at any tirtha
Chalisa to Ganga Mata — recited at her tirthas, especially Haridwar, Varanasi, and Prayagraj.
Verse 1
देवनागरी
जय जय जय जग पावनि।
हर-शिर शोभा गंग॥
जय भगीरथी सुर-सरि।
जो हर लेत भव-तरंग॥
Transliteration
Jai jai jai jag paavani
Har-shir shobhaa Gang
Jai Bhageerathee sur-sari
Jo har let bhav-tarang
Meaning
Victory, victory, victory — purifier of the world; the splendour upon Shiva's head, Ganga. Victory, daughter of Bhagiratha, river of the gods — who carries away the waves of worldly existence.
· · ·
Verse 2
देवनागरी
भगीरथ तप कर तुम्हें बुलाया।
जटाधर ने धरती पर लाया॥
पावन धारा बहत सुहावे।
जल पीवत मानव सुख पावे॥
Transliteration
Bhageerath tap kar tumhein bulaayaa
Jataa-dhar ne dhartee par laayaa
Paavan dhaaraa bahat suhaave
Jal peevat maanav sukh paave
Meaning
Bhagiratha, by his austerities, called you forth; the matted-locked Shiva brought you down to earth. Your sacred stream flows beautifully — drinking your water, mortals find joy.
· · ·
Verse 3
देवनागरी
गंगा गंगा कहने से ही।
पातक भागत अति वेग ही॥
हरिद्वार काशी प्रयाग।
गंगा सब तीरथ के राग॥
Transliteration
Gangaa Gangaa kahane se hee
Paatak bhaagat ati veg hee
Haridwaar Kaashee Prayaag
Gangaa sab teerath ke raag
Meaning
Merely saying "Ganga, Ganga," sin flees with great speed. Haridwar, Kashi, Prayag — Ganga is the music of every tirtha.
· · ·
Verse 4
देवनागरी
जो कोई पाठ चालीसा गाई।
पावे शिव-गोलोक की भाई॥
गंगाजल जो धारण कीना।
दुख दारिद्र हर लीना॥
Transliteration
Jo koi paath chaaleesaa gaaee
Paave Shiv-Golok kee bhaaee
Gangaa-jal jo dhaaran keenaa
Dukh daaridrya har leenaa
Meaning
Whoever sings this Chalisa attains the abode of Shiv-Golok. Whoever holds the Ganga's waters takes away every grief and poverty.