Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 3

गङ्गावतरणम्

The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment

Devanagari script

प्रीतस्तेऽहं नरश्रेष्ठ करिष्यामि तव प्रियम्।शिरसा धारयिष्यामि शैलराजसुतामहम्।।।।

Transliteration

prītas te 'haṃ naraśreṣṭha kariṣyāmi tava priyam | śirasā dhārayiṣyāmi śailarāja-sutām aham ||

Translation

மனுஷர்களில் சிறந்தவனே! நான் உன்னால் மகிழ்ந்தேன்; உனக்குப் பிரியமானதைச் செய்வேன். மலைராஜனின் மகளைக் நான் என் தலையில் தாங்குவேன்॥

Word by Word

• प्रीतः: pleased
• प्रीतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्ताधारित)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; predicate adjective of 'अहम्'

• ते: for you/to you
• ते: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; recipient/beneficiary

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Nominative, Singular

• नरश्रेष्ठ: O best of men
• नरश्रेष्ठ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर-श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular; संबोधन

• करिष्यामि: I shall do
• करिष्यामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: Future (लृट्), 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular, Parasmaipada

• तव: your
• तव: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• प्रियम्: a dear thing/favor
• प्रियम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; object of 'करिष्यामि'

• शिरसा: with (my) head
• शिरसा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• धारयिष्यामि: I shall bear/hold
• धारयिष्यामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: Future (लृट्), 1st person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• शैलराजसुताम्: the daughter of the mountain-king
• शैलराजसुताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैल-राज-सुता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; compound: शैलानां राजा (हिमवान्) तस्य सुता = 'daughter of the mountain-king'

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Nominative, Singular; पुनरुक्ति for emphasis

Context

"O Best of men! I am pleased with your devotion. I will hold Ganga on my head, the daughter of the king of mountains (to reduce the force of her descent). I shall do your wish.

Characters & Entities

• Śiva (Śaṅkara)
• Bhagīratha
• Gaṅgā

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma as keeping one’s word and using power responsibly: Śiva agrees to bear Gaṅgā so that a boon benefits the world without causing harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Bhagīratha has performed austerities to bring Gaṅgā down; Śiva consents to receive her on his head to moderate her descent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śiva’s benevolence and guardianship—he accepts a burden to protect creation and fulfill a devotee’s righteous aim.