that the water of the river Ganges has been made unclean or unholy, no one says that
the sanctity of Ganges has been eroded by the debris floating in it.^3 (7)
Therefore we conclude that those who are powerful and authorative are not
accused of any wrong-doing or possessing any negative character just like the
examples of the Sun, the Fire and the river Ganges.^4 (8)
[Note—^1 That is, though it is unconventional, weird and sheer madness to sleep on the
coiled body of a poisonous sea-serpent as it floats on the surface of water, with its
thousand hoods hissing and spouting hot gas on the head of Vishnu as he reclines on
its body, no sage, seer or scripture has ever condemned this act of Vishnu and derided
him to choose this weird way of sleeping.
(^2) The heat of the sun dries water in all sorts of water-bodies—be it an ocean, a
river, a stinking drain, a swamp from where poisonous fume emanates, or a dirty
pond. This ‘dried water’ is in the form of vapour that ultimately forms the cloud, and
when this cloud gives the same water extracted from say a filthy stinkink drain or
swamp no one criticises it. Rather, all people pray and offer their respects to the Sun-
God and proclaim that no life is possible without the Sun. The world forgets that the
Sun inhales toxic fumes emanating from swamps, drains and marshes.
Similarly, the fire dries up everything put near it—it would as easily dry a wet
rug that is clean as one that stinks. When any wet thing is put in the fire, the latter
extracts the moisture from it and makes it stiff and dry. No one accuses the fire of
accepting rubbish and despicable things as its food; no one says that the fire has
become corrupted by its association with dirty things. Rather, the world universally
believes that the fire is incorruptible and purifies the world by burning its impurities.
(^3) All sorts of things float on the surface of the water of river Ganges: Some are
acceptable such as flowers and other things that do not cause any pollution in the
water, and were duly offered to gods and deities before being put in the river. Other
things are horrible—such as filth and effluent from cities and factories situated all
along the river’s course, the carcases that float in the water, the dirt and garbage that
the river collects from its banks all along its journey from the Himalayas to the Bay
of Bengal. Inspite of knowing this, the world regards Ganges as a holy river; the
world never whinces from taking a purifying dip in its water. That is, the Ganges is
universally regarded as a holy river inspite of all its shortcomings.
(^4) A similar idea is expressed in Shiva Puran, 2/3/8/20.
The examples that Narad has cited have a direct relation with Lord Shiva. Now,
let’s see how:--
(i) Vishnu sleeps on the coiled body of a poisonous serpent, and Lord Shiva has
serpents coiled around his body.
(ii) The sun and the fire burn everything and it is not wise to play fools with
them, so is with Shiva—his ‘third eye’ located on the forehead spews fire and had
actually burnt Kamdeo when the latter tried to act smart with the Lord (refer: Ram
Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line no. 6 that precedes Doha no. 87).
Shiva is believed to live in cremation ground surrounded by cremation fires.
(iii) Shiva has given river Ganges a respectful place in the thick lock of hairs on
his head.
So, even as no one finds faults with Vishnu, Sun, Fire and Ganges, no one finds
fault with Shiva who represents all these four entities at once. Therefore, if Uma
marries Shiva, there shall be no problem with her also in any way whatsoever.]
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