गङ्गे च यमुने चैव — स्नान मन्त्र — Word-by-Word Meaning
गङ्गे च यमुने चैव — स्नान मन्त्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
गङ्गे
Gange
O Ganga (the river Ganges)
च
cha
and
यमुने
Yamune
O Yamuna
चैव
chaiva
and also (cha + eva)
गोदावरि
Godavari
O Godavari
सरस्वति
Saraswati
O Saraswati (river)
नर्मदे
Narmade
O Narmada
सिन्धु
Sindhu
O Sindhu (Indus)
कावेरि
Kaveri
O Kaveri (Cauvery)
जले अस्मिन्
jale asmin
in this water
सन्निधिं कुरु
sannidhim kuru
be present, grant your presence / nearness
Complete Translation
हे गङ्गा, हे यमुना, हे गोदावरी, हे सरस्वती, हे नर्मदा, हे सिन्धु, हे कावेरी — इस जल में अपनी सन्निधि (उपस्थिति) प्रदान करें (और इसे पवित्र करें)।
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Snana-mantra (ritual purification verse)
Author: Traditional
Period: Classical
This verse is among the most widely used Snana-mantras of the Hindu daily routine. India's seven great rivers are revered as living goddesses, and this prayer invites all of them — from the Ganga in the north to the Kaveri in the south — to enter the water before the devotee. By their presence (sannidhi) the water becomes sacred, so that the morning bath at home carries the blessing of bathing at the holiest tirthas. The same verse is used by priests to consecrate the kalasha-water for puja and abhisheka.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva?▼
It is a Snana-mantra that calls upon the seven sacred rivers — Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri — to be present in the water one is using, so that an ordinary bath becomes as holy as bathing in all these rivers at once.
When should this mantra be chanted?▼
It is chanted during the daily morning bath, and also whenever water is being sanctified for worship — for abhisheka of a deity, for achamana (sipping), or for sprinkling to purify the space and articles of puja.
Which are the seven rivers named in the verse?▼
The Sapta-Sindhu (seven rivers) named are Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu (Indus) and Kaveri. Together they represent all the sacred waters of Bharat, north and south.
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