The Vanishing Ganga

by Mukesh Williams



Before this century is gone The Ganga would have returned To the heavens from whence it came, So say the environmentalists. The Gomukh glacier is receding Faster than we had anticipated, The greenhouse effect is now Taking a toll of the devabhumi. Look, religious tourism is on the rise! Everyone is out to get a piece Of the sacred ice before it is gone. We all want moksha before it is too late. You think this is reason enough to worry, But wait a minute: Global warming and human greed Only fulfill a prophesy in the shastras. We knew all along that in kalyug The Ganga would return to the heavens From whence it came, and watch benignly From above, the goings on of mankind. Once that happens you will see her Only in the rainy season Whistling through the dry ravines As another mountain stream. We, with the tonsured head, can tell you There's nothing to worry at all. Once the Ganga vanishes, we will Still worship her like Saraswati, We will still seek moksha, We will still take a dip at Prayag Sangam, We will still do the kriya at Haridwar, Perform all the rituals as of yore.

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