Shloka 1.43.22
गङ्गावतरणम् (The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment)
पाण्डरैस्सलिलोत्पीडै: कीर्यमाणैस्सहस्रधा।।।।शारदाभ्रैरिवाकीर्णं गगनं हंससम्प्लवै:।
pāṇḍaraiḥ salilotpīḍaiḥ kīryamāṇaiḥ sahasradhā | śāradābhrair ivākīrṇaṃ gaganaṃ haṃsa-samplavaiḥ ||
Scattered in countless ways by the white upsurges of water-foam, the scene looked as though the sky itself were filled with autumn clouds and drifting flocks of swans.
White foams of water were scattered in a thousand ways. It appeared as if the sky was spread over with autumnal clouds flocks of swans.
The verse supports the dharmic idea that sacred acts (like Gaṅgā’s descent for purification) transform the world into a realm of auspiciousness; purity and upliftment are presented as visible, shared goods.
As Gaṅgā descends and rushes onward, the poet describes the spectacular appearance of her foaming waters, likening the scene to a sky filled with autumn clouds and swans.
Indirectly, Bhagīratha’s perseverance is honored: such a wondrous, purifying descent occurs because of sustained righteous effort.