The sound of dashing waters of the Ganga is like her laughter and the foam like her sparkling smile. Here she flows straight like the braid of a maiden and there in whirlpools. [2-50-16]
Here the Ganga runs deep but quiet, there she looks perturbed due to fastflowing waters, here she flows with a deep groan and there with a dreadful roar. [2-50-17]
Here hosts of celestials take their ablutions and there she shines with lilies of pure blue. Here her banks are curved and there her bed is dotted with patches of white sand. [2-50-18]
हंससारससङ्घुष्टां चक्रवाकोपकूजिताम् | सदा मदैश्च विहगैरभिसन्नादितान्तराम् || २-५०-१९
The river reverberates with the cries of swans, cranes and chakravakas (ruddy goose). It rings intermittently with the chirpings of birds charged with endless passion. [2-50-19]