Why Did Ganga Remain in Shiva's Hair for Twelve Years?

 

Bhagiratha's mission encounters another obstacle when Ganga's force becomes too powerful for the earth to withstand. Shiva steps in and contains the river within his matted hair before releasing her gradually.

This article follows Ganga through Haridwar, Varanasi and her encounter with rishi Jahnu, where she receives the name Jahnvi. The post also compares references from several Puranic texts and discusses the symbolism associated with these events.

Read the complete article:

https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/ramayana-of-krittivasa-0015-from.html

 

Ganga Splits into Four Streams at Sumeru Mountain

 Bhagiratha’s journey with Ganga reaches Sumeru Mountain, where the river divides into four streams after meeting obstruction and Airavata’s involvement.

The passage from Krittivasa’s Ramayana retelling describes movement, delay, and resolution through a structured sequence of events.

Read full text:
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/ramayana-of-krittivasa-0014-descent-of.html

Tags: Ganga, Bhagiratha, Sumeru, Ramayana, Krittivasa, river flow, Indian texts

Bhagiratha's Determination and the Gift of Ganga

 This article explores a Krittivasa Ramayana version of Ganga's descent where Bhagiratha receives guidance from Indra, blessings from Shiva, assistance from Vishnu and support from Brahma.

Along with the narrative, the article examines symbolism, the origins of names such as Vishnupadi and Anghrija, and references from different Puranas.

Read the full article:

https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/ramayana-of-krittivasa-0013-descent-of.html

Beyond the Standard Text: Why Medieval Bengal Rewrote the Story of Bhagiratha

 

In standard Sanskrit texts, Bhagiratha's lineage follows traditional succession. However, regional Bengali texts from the 14th to the 17th centuries introduce a significant shift, depicting him as the child of two mothers.

To understand this, I look at the historical conditions of medieval Bengal. The story provides insight into:

1. Socio-Legal Resistance: How the narrative counters the strict property blockages imposed on medieval widows.

2. Early Biological Understandings: The use of the Sushruta Samhita to explain the physical condition of the newborn child.

3. Historical Vocabulary: How concepts like svairini from historical texts describe non-normative roles outside conventional structures.

The narrative indicates that these authors were using regional variants to explore complex ideas of fertility and lineage during a shifting legal era.

Read the full analysis here: https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-king-who-was-born-boneless.html