Shloka 3
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 98 — Paraśurāma’s kṣatriya suppression; Dīrghatamas, Bali, Sudēṣṇā, and the birth of Aṅga
अधीयानस्य राजर्षेर्दिव्यरूपा मनस्विनी । दक्षिणं शालसंकाशमूरु भेजे शुभानना,उस समय मनस्विनी गंगा सुन्दर रूप और उत्तम गुणोंसे युक्त युवती स्त्रीका रूप धारण करके जलसे निकलीं और स्वाध्यायमें लगे हुए राजर्षि प्रतीपके शाल-जैसे विशाल दाहिने ऊरु (जाँघ)-पर जा बैठीं। उस समय उनकी आकृति बड़ी लुभावनी थी; रूप देवांगनाओंके समान था और मुख अत्यन्त मनोहर था
vaiśampāyana uvāca | adhīyānasya rājarṣer divyarūpā manasvinī | dakṣiṇaṃ śālasaṅkāśam ūru bheje śubhānanā ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Enquanto o rei-ṛṣi Pratīpa se dedicava ao estudo sagrado, Gaṅgā, resoluta e de beleza divina, assumiu a forma de uma jovem encantadora. Com rosto auspicioso, emergiu das águas e sentou-se sobre a coxa direita do rei, larga como uma árvore śāla. Sua aparência era cativante como a de uma donzela celeste, e seu semblante, de extraordinário encanto.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of a king-sage: even amid a sudden, alluring divine encounter, the context is one of disciplined svādhyāya and inner steadiness. It frames kingship as grounded in self-control and dharma, where desire is to be governed rather than followed.
As King Pratīpa is absorbed in sacred study, the river-goddess Gaṅgā takes the form of a beautiful young woman, rises from the water, and sits on his right thigh—an intimate, symbolic gesture that initiates their encounter and sets up the ensuing episode connected with royal lineage.