Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 22
गङ्गावतरणम्
The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment
पाण्डरैस्सलिलोत्पीडै: कीर्यमाणैस्सहस्रधा।।।।शारदाभ्रैरिवाकीर्णं गगनं हंससम्प्लवै:।
pāṇḍaraiḥ salilotpīḍaiḥ kīryamāṇaiḥ sahasradhā | śāradābhrair ivākīrṇaṃ gaganaṃ haṃsa-samplavaiḥ ||
白き水泡の噴き上がりが千々に散りまかれるさまは、まるで天空そのものが秋の雲に満ち、漂う白鳥の群れで覆われたかのようであった。
White foams of water were scattered in a thousand ways. It appeared as if the sky was spread over with autumnal clouds flocks of swans.
FAQs
The verse supports the dharmic idea that sacred acts (like Gaṅgā’s descent for purification) transform the world into a realm of auspiciousness; purity and upliftment are presented as visible, shared goods.
As Gaṅgā descends and rushes onward, the poet describes the spectacular appearance of her foaming waters, likening the scene to a sky filled with autumn clouds and swans.
Indirectly, Bhagīratha’s perseverance is honored: such a wondrous, purifying descent occurs because of sustained righteous effort.