Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 14
गङ्गाजन्मवर्णनम् / The Origin of the Ganga
Tripathagā Narrative
शैलेन्द्रो हिमवान्नाम धातूनामाकरो महान्।तस्य कन्याद्वयं राम रूपेणाप्रतिमं भुवि।।1.35.14।।
śailendro himavān nāma dhātūnām ākaro mahān | tasya kanyādvayaṃ rāma rūpeṇāpratimaṃ bhuvi ||
«Ô Rāma, le seigneur des montagnes nommé Himavān est un immense trésor, une grande mine de métaux et de minéraux. Il eut deux filles, sans pareille en beauté sur la terre.»
Prompted by Rama's words, maharshi Viswamitra started narrating the account of the birth and progress of river Ganga.
FAQs
The verse reflects dharma as recognition of rightful status and lineage: cosmic and social order is narrated through genealogies that situate sacred forces (like rivers) within a meaningful moral universe.
Viśvāmitra introduces Himavān and sets up the lineage background needed to explain Gaṅgā’s origin.
Viśvāmitra’s clarity and authority as a narrator of ancient sacred history (itihāsa) are emphasized.