Shloka 1.43.25

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

Devanagari script

तच्छङ्करशिरोभ्रष्टं भ्रष्टं भूमितले पुन:।।।।व्यरोचत तदा तोयं निर्मलं गतकल्मषम्।

Transliteration

tac chaṅkara-śiro-bhraṣṭaṃ bhraṣṭaṃ bhūmi-tale punaḥ | vyarocata tadā toyaṃ nirmalaṃ gata-kalmaṣam ||

Translation

Then those waters—having fallen upon Śaṅkara’s head and then fallen again onto the earth—shone forth, perfectly clear, their defilement removed.

Context

The waters of Ganga descended on Shankara's head and from there to the earth. Freed from all impurities, the waters looked pure and clean.

Characters & Entities

• Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• Gaṅgā (implied as the waters)
• earth (bhūmi)

FAQs

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

Purification through rightful mediation: Śiva’s bearing of Gaṅgā symbolizes that immense power becomes beneficent when tempered by dharmic restraint and divine responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Gaṅgā’s waters first land upon Śiva’s head to reduce their force, then descend to earth, now described as radiant and purified.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śiva’s protective stewardship—using power to safeguard the world rather than overwhelm it.