Shloka 43
Hemakūṭa’s Marvels and Lomaśa’s Account of Ṛṣabha at Ṛṣabhakūṭa
Nandā–Kauśikī Tīrtha Passage
(पितृणां पावनार्थ ते तामहं मनुजाधिप ।) पतमानां सरिच्छेष्ठां धारयिष्ये त्रिविष्टपात् वहाँ ठहरकर उन्होंने नरश्रेष्ठ भगीरथसे कहा--“महाबाहो! गिरिराजनन्दिनी महानदी गंगासे भूतलपर उतरनेके लिये प्रार्थना करो। नरेश्वर! मैं तुम्हारे पितरोंको पवित्र करनेके लिये स्वर्गसे उतरती हुई सरिताओंमें श्रेष्ठ गड़ाको सिरपर धारण करूँगा”
lokeśa uvāca — pitṝṇāṃ pāvanārthaṃ te tām ahaṃ manujādhipa | patamānāṃ saricchreṣṭhāṃ dhārayiṣye trivīṣṭapāt ||
Lokeśa dijo: «Oh señor de los hombres, para purificar a tus antepasados, llevaré sobre mi cabeza al mejor de los ríos cuando descienda del reino celestial. Por ello, oh de brazos poderosos, ruega a Gaṅgā—hija del rey de las montañas—que baje a la tierra.»
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as responsibility toward one’s ancestors and the welfare of others: sincere effort (prayer/austerity) joined with divine support can transform a potentially destructive power into a purifying, life-giving force.
Lokeśa (Śiva) addresses King Bhagīratha, instructing him to pray for Gaṅgā to descend to earth; Śiva promises to receive and restrain her heavenly fall on his head so that her descent can purify Bhagīratha’s ancestors without overwhelming the world.