Shloka 5
तेनाक्रान्ता जलौघेन दक्षिणा भूयसीर्ददत् । उपद्वरेडतिव्यथिता तस्याड़के निषसाद ह,राजा भगीरथ गंगाके तटपर भूयसी (प्रचुर) दक्षिणा देते हुए निवास करते थे। अतः उनके संकल्पकालिक जलप्रवाहसे आक्रान्त होकर गंगादेवी मानो अत्यन्त व्यथित हो उठीं और समीपवर्ती राजाके अंकमें आ बैठीं
tenākrāntā jalaughena dakṣiṇā bhūyasīr dadat | upadvareḍ ativyathitā tasyāṅke niṣasāda ha |
Nārada said: Overwhelmed by the surging flood of waters, while the king was giving abundant gifts (dakṣiṇā), the Goddess Gaṅgā—deeply distressed—came close and sat upon his lap, as if seeking refuge. The episode underscores how even meritorious acts like lavish giving must be guided by discernment, lest they cause unintended harm and compel the afflicted to seek protection from the very agent of the disturbance.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even righteous acts such as generous giving (dakṣiṇā) require prudence and awareness of consequences; otherwise they may produce harm, and dharma then demands protection and relief for those distressed.
A great flood of water overwhelms Gaṅgā; in her distress she approaches the king nearby and sits on his lap, symbolically seeking shelter and intervention.