The sacred Shloka Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva is a powerful invocation to invite all River Goddesses to bless the water and infuse it with their power to use it for ritual purposes.
According to Hindu beliefs, Rivers are not just bodies of water but also embodiments of compassion, purity, and liberation, serving various spiritual and practical purposes.
When one recites the Gange Cha Yamine Chaiva Shloka with devotion and faith, the water becomes Punya-nadi-Jala, meaning water imbued with the holiness of sacred Rivers. This water can then be utilised for conducting ritual pujas, given its believed sacred effects.
Devotees who live far from these sacred Rivers can recite this Shloka before taking a bath or Snana. It is believed that doing so transfers the essence and spiritual power of these holy Rivers into the water, making the bath spiritually holy before daily worship.
This Sanskrit Shloka on Rivers is considered so potent that, even today, spiritual masters recite it for sanctification.
Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva – Sanskrit Shloka on Rivers with Lyrics and Meaning
गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरी सरस्वति ।
नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरी जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु ॥
Gaṅge Ca Yamune Caiva Godāvari Sarasvati ।
Narmade Sindhu Kāveri Jale’smin Sannidhiṁ Kuru ॥
Meaning: O Ganga and Yamuna, and indeed Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri, I invoke you to please make your presence in this water.
Word-by-Word Meaning of this Shloka
Gange – O Ganga (addressing the River Ganga)
Cha – and
Yamune – O River Yamuna
Chaiva (Cha + Eva) – and indeed
Godavari – River Godavari
Saraswati – River Saraswati
Narmade – River Narmada
Sindhu – River Indus (called by name Sindhu)
Kaveri – River Kaveri
Jale – Water
Asmin – In this
(Jaleasmin – In this water)
Sannidhim – Presence
Kuru – make
(Sannidhim Kuru – Make your presence).
When to Chant this Shloka
Traditionally, the Gange cha yamune chaiva Shloka is chanted by
- Holding the water vessel used for Puja or Rituals, or by rotating the water in the vessel using a medium like a leaf, flower, or Naag pali (panchapatra spoon) and reciting this Shloka.
- Before Sandhya Vandana or early morning bath.
- On ritualistic baths like Karthika Snana or Magha Snana.
- On special days like Triyodasi, Ekadasi, and Pournima.
How to use Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva Shloka for Holy Baths
- Take clean water in your right Palm.
- Face east if possible.
- Worship Lord Shiva, Vishnu or Shakti as per your preference.
- Recite the Shloka or in combination with Snana mantras with faith.
- Sprinkle the water on your head and body if you bathe in a shower. Alternatively, you can even mix it with the water in the bath bucket.
- Maintain calmness till you complete the puja.
