Shloka 23
गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना
Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā
इयं हैमवती गङ्गा ज्येष्ठा हिमवतस्सुता।तां वै धारयितुं शक्तो हरस्तत्र नियुज्यताम्।।1.42.23।।
iyaṁ haimavatī gaṅgā jyeṣṭhā himavataḥ sutā | tāṁ vai dhārayituṁ śakto haras tatra niyujyatām ||1.42.23||
આ હૈમવતી ગંગા હિમવતની જ્યેષ્ઠ પુત્રી છે. તેને ધારણ કરવા માત્ર હર (શિવ) સમર્થ છે; તેથી એ કાર્ય માટે તેમને નિયુક્ત કરાવા જોઈએ.
'O King! Ganga's descent cannot be sustained by earth. O Hero! I do not see any other person to hold her than the wielder of the trident (Siva)'.
FAQs
Dharma as right means: even a righteous goal must be achieved through proper, lawful capability—power must be mediated to prevent harm.
Brahmā explains that Gaṅgā’s descent requires Śiva to bear her force, directing Bhagīratha to seek Śiva’s support.
Practical wisdom—recognizing limits and seeking the correct support rather than forcing outcomes.