Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 23
गङ्गावतरणम्
The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment
क्वचिद्द्रुततरं याति कुटिलं क्वचिदायतम्।।।।विनतं क्वचिदुद्धूतं क्वचिद्याति शनैश्शनै:।
kvacid drutataram yāti kuṭilaṃ kvacid āyatam | vinataṃ kvacid uddhūtaṃ kvacid yāti śanaiḥ śanaiḥ ||
Mancherorts schoss sie überaus schnell dahin; anderswo floss sie in krummen Windungen; in manchen Strecken breitete sie sich weit aus, in anderen senkte sie sich oder hob sich empor, und zuweilen strömte sie sanft, langsam, ganz langsam.
Ganga was flowing now rapid, now slow, now wide, now meandering, now low, now high.
FAQs
Dharma is shown as adaptive steadiness: like the river that moves in many modes yet remains a river, righteous purpose can persist through changing conditions.
The text continues the visual description of Gaṅgā’s descent and movement, emphasizing her varying speeds and forms as she courses onward.
Bhagīratha’s resolve is implied: he endures the unfolding, unpredictable force of nature while remaining focused on his sacred aim.