Valmiki Ramayana 1.43.3: Bala Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 3
गङ्गावतरणम्
The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment
प्रीतस्तेऽहं नरश्रेष्ठ करिष्यामि तव प्रियम् ।
शिरसा धारयिष्यामि शैलराजसुतामहम् ॥३॥
prītas te 'haṃ naraśreṣṭha kariṣyāmi tava priyam |
śirasā dhārayiṣyāmi śailarāja-sutām aham ||3||
मैं तुमसे खुश हूँ, तुम बड़े इंसान हो। जो तुम्हे पसंद है वो करूँगा। पर्वत राजा की बेटी को मैं अपने सिर पे रखूँगा।
"O Best of men! I am pleased with your devotion. I will hold Ganga on my head, the daughter of the king of mountains (to reduce the force of her descent). I shall do your wish.
FAQs
Dharma as keeping one’s word and using power responsibly: Śiva agrees to bear Gaṅgā so that a boon benefits the world without causing harm.
Bhagīratha has performed austerities to bring Gaṅgā down; Śiva consents to receive her on his head to moderate her descent.
Śiva’s benevolence and guardianship—he accepts a burden to protect creation and fulfill a devotee’s righteous aim.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.