The role of epic “Rakṣata Gaṅgām” in saving the Gangā

Abstract

As we know that we get drinking water mostly from rivers. The culture of all the great nations of the world originated, nurtured and nourished by these rivers. Just as ancient Egyptian culture has been sustained by the Nile river, Mesopotamia (Syria) by Tigris-Euphrates and China's ancient culture by Huangho-Yangtze, similarly the rich Indian culture emerged from the Ganges along with Indus and Saraswati. Indian culture derives its basics from sacrifice, austerity, knowledge, work, perseverance, yajña and charity, etc. Holy Gaṅgā has been continuously imbibing these elements in culture of India since time immemorial.  Since the beginning of the creation, Gaṅgā has been providing the boon of its medicated nectar water to the land of India. Man considers himself blessed and fortunate just by seeing, touching, bathing, drinking and chanting in the water of the Ganges. In Sanskrit literature many poems are composed taking the concern of pollution of the rivers in India out of which the epic "Rakṣata Gangām" is significant and dedicated to the holy river Gangā. This epic was composed by Kamalā Pāṇḍeya and translated into English by Anurādhā Banerje. It consists of 11 cantos. The concern of environmental pollution has been depicted in its 10th canto followed by its prevention in the next canto. Through this epic, the poetess tries to awaken the motherly feelings of the people towards the holy Gangā.