Shloka 1.43.18

गङ्गावतरणम् (The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment)

Devanagari script

विमानैर्नगराकारैर्हयैर्गजवरैस्तदा।।।।पारिप्लवगतैश्चापि देवतास्तत्र विष्ठिता:।

Transliteration

tato devarṣi-gandharvā yakṣa-siddha-gaṇās tadā | vyalokayanta te tatra gaganād gāṃ gatāṃ tathā ||

Translation

Then devarṣis and gandharvas, yakṣas and hosts of siddhas, watched there in wonder as Gaṅgā came down from the sky to the earth.

Context

Then, gods in a state of excitement in their aerial chariots as large as cities, on horses and on big elephants were stationed there (in the sky).

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• devarṣis
• gandharvas
• yakṣas
• siddhas
• sky (gagana)
• earth (gā)

FAQs

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

Dharma is affirmed as a cosmic concern: righteous acts and sacred events are witnessed and upheld by higher orders of beings.

What is the narrative situation?

Celestial beings gather and observe Gaṅgā’s descent from the heavens to the earth.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverent witnessing—recognizing and honoring a dharmic, world-renewing event.