Some time back, I was sitting on the Ganga ghats with a friend of mine, Rui Carvalho. The morning sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, and the river shimmered as the sun’s light kissed its surface. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the sound of the birds mingled with the rhythmic chants of the river. We sat in silence, watching the birds float downstream on the surface of the Ganga, as though they were enjoying a free ride, perhaps each carried a prayer, a hope, a whispered wish. I asked Rui, "Do you think the river listens?" He smiled, gazing at the endless flow of water, and replied, “She does more than listen. She remembers.”

As the grand saga of the Kumbha Mela draws to a close, it is a moment to reflect on the essence of water — its life-giving force, its sacred symbolism, and above all, the divine purity of the Ganga.

Water is the most enigmatic element on Earth. It is the only substance that exists naturally in three states — solid, liquid, and gas — transitioning seamlessly between them. This adaptability makes it not just essential for life but also an extraordinary medium of preservation and transformation.

Scientists have long been intrigued by water’s unique ability to store and transmit information. Studies suggest that water molecules can carry imprints of energies and vibrations, much like a hard disk storing data. Dr. Masaru Emoto’s groundbreaking research into the memory of water reveals how thoughts, words, and intentions can influence its molecular structure. If this holds true, then what of the most revered river on Earth, the Ganga? A river not just flowing with water but also carrying the prayers, devotion, and aspirations of millions who revere her as a living goddess.

The Ganges originates in the icy embrace of the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas. Here, in its frozen form, water is wiped clean of past imprints — its memory reset by time and the purifying touch of nature. When the glacier melts and the first streams emerge, they are pristine, untouched by human consciousness. Yet, as the waters begin their descent, a transformation begins. The moment the Ganga enters human civilisation, it is met with reverence. From the high mountains to the vast plains, millions of devotees line its banks, offering prayers, lighting lamps, and pouring their deepest emotions into the sacred stream.

This continuous act of worship imprints itself upon the very molecules of the river. Every mantra chanted, every offering made, every tear shed in devotion leaves its mark. The river absorbs these vibrations, carrying them forward, flowing not just with water but with centuries of faith and divine energy.

Modern science now recognizes that water is not an inert substance but a dynamic entity capable of responding to external influences. Dr. Emoto’s studies showed that water exposed to positive words and prayers formed beautiful, symmetrical crystalline structures, while water exposed to negative words created distorted and chaotic formations. If simple words can have such an impact, imagine the profound effect of the billions of prayers uttered along the Ganga’s course. The sacred river is more than just a waterway — it is a living entity charged with the devotion of countless souls.

In Hindu tradition, the power of sound has long been recognized as a force of transformation. Mantras, sacred syllables imbued with divine energy, are not just reminders of spiritual truths but also tools for physiological and psychological change. The vibrations created by chanting a mantra resonate within us, imprinting their sacred geometry upon the water molecules in our bodies. These vibrations travel through our tissues and cells, harmonizing our inner energies and elevating our consciousness.

The practice of reciting mantras while bathing in the Ganga amplifies this effect. As devotees immerse themselves in her waters, they are not just cleansing their bodies but also aligning their internal energy with the divine flow of the river. It is a sacred exchange — offering one’s impurities to the river while absorbing the love and devotion it carries.

For those sensitive to energy, the Ganga is more than just a river — it is an experience, a presence, a mother who nurtures and purifies. The vibrations of centuries of devotion are palpable to those who listen with an open heart. This is why so many seekers, saints, and sages have been drawn to her banks. They recognize that beyond the physical flow of water, the Ganga carries the spiritual essence of a million prayers, the collective yearning of souls seeking connection with the divine.

This is not mere sentiment — it is a truth that can be felt, experienced, and even measured. Just as positive thoughts impact water molecules in a laboratory, so too does the devotion of millions transform the waters of the Ganga into a river of love, healing, and divine presence.

Understanding the nature of water, both within and outside us, invites us to live with greater awareness. If water holds memory, then every word we speak and every thought we cultivate affects not just our inner world but the world around us. The Ganga teaches us this profound lesson — that through love, devotion, and sacred intention, we can transform not only a river but also ourselves.

As we stand at her banks, let us not see merely a flowing river but a living force, a carrier of prayers, a witness to centuries of devotion. Let us treat her with reverence, not only in ritual but in action — preserving her purity, respecting her flow, and honouring the sacred bond between nature and spirit. For in doing so, we honour the very essence of life itself.

~ Raj Supe (Kinkar Vishwashreyananda)
Editor, The Mother