Shloka 1.43.36
गङ्गावतरणम् (The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment)
ततो देवास्सगन्धर्वा ऋषयश्च सुविस्मिता:।।।।पूजयन्ति महात्मानं जह्नुं पुरुषसत्तमम्।गङ्गां चापि नयन्ति स्म दुहितृत्वे महात्मन:।।।।
tato devāḥ sa-gandharvā ṛṣayaś ca su-vismitāḥ |
pūjayanti mahātmānaṃ jahnuṃ puruṣa-sattamam |
gaṅgāṃ cāpi nayanti sma duhitṛtve mahātmanaḥ ||
Thereupon the gods, together with Gandharvas and the sages—greatly astonished—honoured the noble Jahnu, best among men; and they urged that Gaṅgā be accepted in the status of his daughter.
Devatas, rishis and gandharvas stood amazed (at this act). They worshipped the magnanimous Jahnu, noblest among men. The devatas entreated the illustrious Jahnu to treat Ganga as his daughter.
Dharma restores harmony through honour and rightful relationship: wrongdoing is addressed, then reconciliation is achieved by integrating the transgressor within a legitimate moral bond.
Amazed at Jahnu’s act, gods and sages praise him and request that Gaṅgā be regarded as his daughter.
Jahnu’s moral authority—power joined with the capacity to be honoured as a restorer of order.