Shloka 7
गङ्गावतरणम्
The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment
सा तस्मिन् पतिता पुण्या पुण्ये रुद्रस्य मूर्धनि।।।।हिमवत्प्रतिमे राम जटामण्डलगह्वरे।
sā tasmin patitā puṇyā puṇye rudrasya mūrdhani |
himavat-pratime rāma jaṭā-maṇḍala-gahvare ||
हे राम, वह पुण्यस्वरूपा गङ्गा वहीं रुद्र के पवित्र मस्तक पर गिरी— हिमालय के समान विशाल जटामण्डल की गुहा-सी गहराई में।
O Rama! that sacred river (Ganga), descended on to the depths of the matted locks on the holy head of Siva resembling the mount Himavan.
FAQs
Dharma includes mediation: overwhelming forces must pass through rightful channels. Śiva becomes the stabilizing medium so that Gaṅgā’s descent serves the world rather than harms it.
Gaṅgā lands on Śiva’s head and becomes trapped/contained in the depths of his matted hair.
Śiva’s forbearance and guardianship—he bears and contains a cosmic force for the welfare of creation.