As the solar ray is to the gods in the celestial region, as the moon is to the departed manes, as the king is to human beings, so is Ganga to all rivers.
दिवि ज्योतिर्यथाऽऽदित्यः पितॄणां चैव चन्द्रमाः। देवेशश्च तथा नृणां गङ्गा च सरितां तथा॥