Ganga having three courses is said to be first-born of all rivers. Likewise, of all wells and reservoirs of waters, the ocean is said to be the first born.
तथा त्रिपथगा गङ्गा नदीनामग्रजा स्मृता। तथा सरोदपानानां सर्वेषां सागरोऽग्रजः॥