Bhägïratha to purify the ashes of the
60,000 sons of his ancestor King Sagara,
who had been burnt to death by the
anger of the sage Kapila. Originating
from Vi•æu’s toe, its turbulence, which
would have destroyed the earth, was
stopped by the matted hair of Ÿiva, who
therefore has the title ‘Gaögä-dhära’.
The river has different names in
different sections: first it is called
Bhägïrathï, then Gaögä, further down it
splits into many branches, each of
which has a different name, for example
Jähnavï, Mandäkinï. As a goddess
Gaögä is the eldest daughter of Himavat
(the personificiation of Himälaya) and
Menä; her sister is Umä. She married
King Ÿäntanu: her son BHÏÆMAis also
known as Gäögeya. She is called by
many names in numerous hymns
addressed to her. Her water is believed
to be always pure and purifying, and pil-
grims take flasks of Ganges water with
them for use especially in the last rites.Gaögeÿa (12th century)
Celebrated author of the Tattvacintä-
maæi, the main work of Nava Nyäya.garbha-gøha (‘womb-house’)
The innermost cell and most sacred part
of a temple, where the IMAGEis housed.Gärgï
Upani•adic sage, wife of YAJÑAVÄLKYA,
with whom she conducted debates.garhasthya (‘householder’)
A brahmin in the second stage of his
life-cycle. (See alsoCATURVARŒÄŸRAMA
DHARMA; VARŒÄŸRAMA DHARMA.)Garuõa
Vi•æu’s VAHANA, half vulture, half
man, the king of birds and the enemy
of serpents. Many Puräæic storiesrecount his ventures. He is known by
many different names. Each Vi•æu
temple in South India has a
Garuõastambha, provided for Garuõa
to alight upon when bringing Vi•æu
down to earth.Gauõapäda (eighth century?)
Ÿaækara’s parama guru(GURU’s guru);
author of the famous Gauõapäda
Kärikäs, a commentary on the
MUŒ¥AKAUPANIÆAD, the first exposi-
tion of Advaita Vedänta, upon which
ŸA¢KARA(2) commented.Gauõïya Vai•æavism
(‘Bengal Vai•æavism’)
The term comes from Gauõa, an ancient
name for Bengal. It is frequently used as
synonymous with CAITANYA’s 16th-cen-
tury revival of Vai•æavism in Bengal.Gaurï (‘yellow’, ‘brilliant’)
One of the names of Pärvatï, the consort
of Ÿiva.Gautama (1)
Vedic sage, author of a work on
DHARMA-ŸÄSTRA.Gautama (2), also Gotama
(c. 300 BCE)
Author of the NYÄYASÜTRAS.gäyatrï
The most sacred verse from the
Øgveda, addressed to Savitø, the sun,
light, wisdom. Every brahmin must
recite it during morning and evening
prayers. Its translation is unclear but
scriptures recommend repeating it as
often as possible because through it the
forefathers had achieved long life,
honour, understanding and glory. It is
supposed to be a summary of the
entire Veda.73 gäyatriEncyclo - Letter G 10/2/03 9:42 am Page 73