Gange cha yamune chaiva
Godaavari sarasvati
Narmade sindhu kaaveri
Jalesmin sannidhim kuru
Meaning:
O Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri rivers, bless us with your presence in this water.
Brief Explanation:
Water is the elixir of life. Our ancestors had deified and revered all water sources. Rivers are considered sacred and every river is believed to have a divine origin – there are various legends associated with them.
This simple hymn is part of daily prayer through which even a routine act like bathing becomes and important act of purification. Although we may be far away from these rivers, just by thinking about them, one can attain the benefits of bathing in them.
The mere thought of these rivers brings an abundance of virtue to the devotee and it has been the practice of our forefathers to remember them, before bathing and doing puja with this prayer. It is our way to express gratitude to the holy waters by acknowledging their importance every day.