Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 61
एतस्मात्कारणान्मूर्ध्नि देवि गंगां दधाम्यहम् । न स्नेहात्कामतो नैव जगद्येन प्रवर्तते
etasmātkāraṇānmūrdhni devi gaṃgāṃ dadhāmyaham | na snehātkāmato naiva jagadyena pravartate
اسی سبب سے، اے دیوی، میں گنگا کو اپنے سر پر دھارتا ہوں—نہ محض محبت سے، نہ خواہش سے؛ بلکہ اس لیے کہ اسی کے ذریعے جگت کا نظام چلتا ہے۔
Deva (likely Śiva) speaking to Devī
Tirtha: Gaṅgā
Type: river
Listener: Devī (Pārvatī)
Scene: Śiva seated in serene majesty, Gaṅgā as a luminous river-goddess emerging from his matted locks, flowing gently downward; Devī listens, emphasizing duty over desire; the world below thrives with rain and fields.
FAQs
Divine acts are portrayed as dharma-driven and world-sustaining, not motivated by personal desire—Gaṅgā is upheld for the welfare of all beings.
Gaṅgā herself is the central tīrtha; her sanctity is tied to Śiva’s role as her bearer and regulator.
No direct rite is prescribed; the verse establishes theological grounding for Gaṅgā-veneration and śiva-gaṅgā sambandha (their sacred relationship).