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 ||
「ラーマよ、ヒマヴァーンと名づける山々の王は、金属や鉱物を蔵する大いなる宝庫である。彼には二人の娘があり、その美しさは地上に比類なかった。」
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.