Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 11
गङ्गाजन्मवर्णनम् / The Origin of the Ganga
Tripathagā Narrative
अथ तत्र तदा रामो विश्वामित्रमथाब्रवीत्।।1.35.11।। भगवन् श्रोतुमिच्छामि गङ्गां त्रिपथगां नदीम्।त्रैलोक्यं कथमाक्रम्य गता नदनदीपतिम्।।1.35.12।।
atha tatra tadā rāmo viśvāmitram athābravīt | bhagavan śrotum icchāmi gaṅgāṃ tripathagāṃ nadīm | trailokyaṃ katham ākramya gatā nadanadīpatim ||
Da sprach Rāma dort zu Viśvāmitra: „Ehrwürdiger Bhagavān, ich wünsche von der Gaṅgā zu hören, dem Fluss, der auf drei Pfaden strömt. Wie hat sie die drei Welten durchmessen und den Herrn der Flüsse, das Meer, erreicht?“
Then Rama said to Viswamitra "O venerable one! I wish to know why Ganga flowing in three directions, occupy (purified) the three worlds before entering the sea, the lord of rivers?"
FAQs
Dharma is expressed as satya-jijñāsā—reverent pursuit of truth through proper questioning of a worthy teacher, rather than speculation or pride.
On reaching the region of the Jahnavī, Rāma asks Viśvāmitra to explain the Gaṅgā’s cosmic course—her passage through the three worlds and her final meeting with the ocean.
Rāma’s humility and teachability (vinaya), shown by addressing the sage respectfully and seeking knowledge for understanding rather than display.