Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 24
गङ्गावतरणम्
The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment
सलिलेनैव सलिलं क्वचिदभ्याहतं पुन:।।।।मुहुरूर्ध्वमुखं गत्वा पपात वसुधातलम्।
salilenaiva salilaṃ kvacid abhyāhataṃ punaḥ | muhur ūrdhva-mukhaṃ gatvā papāta vasudhātalam ||
क्वचिद् जलमेव जलेनाभ्याहतं पुनः पुनः। तरङ्गा ऊर्ध्वमुखा मुहुरुत्पत्य वसुधातलं पपातुः॥
Sometimes waves dashed against waves. They rose repeatedly upwards and fell down on the ground.
FAQs
The image suggests humility within power: even what rises forcefully must return to the earth—an ethical reminder that strength should remain grounded and ordered.
The descent continues with vivid wave-action: collisions, upward surges, and repeated falling back to earth.
Awe and reverence toward sacred forces—recognizing that divine boons can be overwhelming and require restraint (soon embodied by Śiva’s role).