Shloka 43
Hemakūṭa’s Marvels and Lomaśa’s Account of Ṛṣabha at Ṛṣabhakūṭa
Nandā–Kauśikī Tīrtha Passage
(पितृणां पावनार्थ ते तामहं मनुजाधिप ।) पतमानां सरिच्छेष्ठां धारयिष्ये त्रिविष्टपात् वहाँ ठहरकर उन्होंने नरश्रेष्ठ भगीरथसे कहा--“महाबाहो! गिरिराजनन्दिनी महानदी गंगासे भूतलपर उतरनेके लिये प्रार्थना करो। नरेश्वर! मैं तुम्हारे पितरोंको पवित्र करनेके लिये स्वर्गसे उतरती हुई सरिताओंमें श्रेष्ठ गड़ाको सिरपर धारण करूँगा”
lokeśa uvāca — pitṝṇāṃ pāvanārthaṃ te tām ahaṃ manujādhipa | patamānāṃ saricchreṣṭhāṃ dhārayiṣye trivīṣṭapāt ||
Lokeśa berkata: “Wahai penguasa manusia, demi menyucikan para leluhurmu, akan kutanggung di atas kepalaku sungai yang terbaik ketika ia turun dari alam syurga. Maka, wahai yang berlengan perkasa, pohonlah kepada Gaṅgā—puteri Raja Gunung—agar turun ke bumi.”
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as responsibility toward one’s ancestors and the welfare of others: sincere effort (prayer/austerity) joined with divine support can transform a potentially destructive power into a purifying, life-giving force.
Lokeśa (Śiva) addresses King Bhagīratha, instructing him to pray for Gaṅgā to descend to earth; Śiva promises to receive and restrain her heavenly fall on his head so that her descent can purify Bhagīratha’s ancestors without overwhelming the world.