Shloka 1.43.5

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

Devanagari script

अचिन्तयच्च सा देवी गङ्गा परमदुर्धरा।।।।विशाम्यहं हि पातालं स्रोतसा गृह्य शङ्करम्।

Transliteration

acintayac ca sā devī gaṅgā parama-durdharā |

viśāmy ahaṃ hi pātālaṃ srotasā gṛhya śaṅkaram ||

Translation

That goddess Gaṅgā, so hard to restrain, reflected: “With the force of my current I shall seize Śaṅkara and plunge into Pātāla.”

Context

"Goddess Ganga, extremely difficult to contain, thought that seizing Siva with her flow she would enter the lower regions of the earth.

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• Pātāla

FAQs

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

Dharma requires humility before cosmic order. Even a sacred power (Gaṅgā) becomes ethically problematic when driven by pride and the urge to overpower another.

What is the narrative situation?

As Gaṅgā descends, she forms a proud intention: to drag Śiva down with her force into Pātāla.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (implicitly), the virtue of restraint is highlighted—setting up Śiva’s corrective response in the next verse.