Shloka 2.117.10

अत्र्याश्रमगमनम् तथा अनसूयोपदेशः (Arrival at Atri’s Hermitage and Anasuya’s Counsel)

Devanagari script

दश वर्षाण्यनावृष्ट्या दग्धे लोके निरन्तरम्।।2.117.9।।यया मूलफले सृष्टे जाह्नवी च प्रवर्तिता।उग्रेण तपसा युक्ता नियमैश्चाप्यलङ्कृता।।2.117.10।।दश वर्ष सहास्राणि तया तप्तं महत्तपः।अनसूया व्रतै स्स्नाता प्रत्यूहाश्च निवर्तिताः।।2.117.11।।देवकार्यनिमित्तं च यया सन्त्वरमाणया।दशरात्रं कृता रात्रि स्सेयं मातेव तेऽनघ।।2.117.12।।

Transliteration

yayā mūlaphale sṛṣṭe jāhnavī ca pravartitā | ugreṇa tapasā yuktā niyamaiś cāpy alaṅkṛtā || 2.117.10 ||

Translation

It was she who brought forth roots and fruits and set the river Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā) in motion; adorned with strict observances, she was devoted to intense austerity.

Context

O blameless one (Rama), once this world was consecutively ravaged by drought for ten years. It was the virtuous Anasuya who created roots and fruits and caused Ganga to flow. She was engaged in severe mortifications and selfimposed religious observances. She practised severe asceticism for ten thousand years bathed in her vows. Solicited on behalf of the gods, she removed all impediments and converted ten nights into one. She is like a your mother to you.

Characters & Entities

• Anasūyā (implied by context of the provided translation)
• Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā)
• mūla-phala (roots and fruits)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is portrayed as transformative tapas: disciplined austerity and observance are shown as forces that sustain the world and benefit beings (food resources and sacred waters).

What is the narrative situation?

A eulogistic description credits Anasūyā with extraordinary ascetic power and benefactions, including provisioning roots/fruits and causing Gaṅgā to flow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Anasūyā’s niyama (strict observance) and ugratapas (rigorous austerity), directed toward the welfare of the world.