Shloka 1.37.21
कुमारसम्भवः—गङ्गायां तेजोनिक्षेपः (The Birth of Kumāra/Skanda and the Deposition of Śiva’s Energy through Gaṅgā)
निक्षिप्तमात्रे गर्भे तु तेजोभिरभिरञ्जितम्।सर्वं पर्वतसन्नद्धं सौवर्णमभवद्वनम्।।1.37.21।।
jātarūpam iti khyātaṃ tadā prabhṛti rāghava | suvarṇaṃ puruṣavyāghra hutāśana-samaprabham || 1.37.22 ||
tṛṇa-vṛkṣa-latā-gulmaṃ sarvaṃ bhavati kāñcanam |
From that time onward, O Rāghava—O tiger among men—gold, shining like fire, became famed as ‘Jātarūpa’. In that region, grasses, trees, creepers, and shrubs all appeared golden.
When the embryo was placed (in Ganga) it spread on all sides of the forest on the mountain. Irradiated with lustre the forest appeared golden.
Dharma includes right naming and remembrance: sacred events are preserved through meaningful names (like Jātarūpa), ensuring truth (satya) is carried forward in culture.
Viśvāmitra explains the origin of the term ‘Jātarūpa’ for gold and describes how the landscape itself took on a golden appearance due to the embryo’s radiance.
Rāma is addressed as ‘puruṣavyāghra’, highlighting ideal human excellence—strength joined with restraint—fit to receive and uphold sacred knowledge.