Shloka 4

Viṣṇupadī Gaṅgā: Descent, Cosmic Pathways, and Śiva’s Praise of Saṅkarṣaṇa

Devanagari script

ततोऽनेकसहस्रकोटिविमानानीकसङ्कुलदेवयानेनावतरन्तीन्दुमण्डलमावार्य ब्रह्मसदने निपतति ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

tato ’neka-sahasra-koṭi-vimānānīka-saṅkula-deva-yānenāvatar-antīndu maṇḍalam āvārya brahma-sadane nipatati.

Translation

ครั้นแล้ว เมื่อน้ำคงคาชำระดาวทั้งเจ็ดใกล้ธรุวโลกแล้ว ก็เคลื่อนลงมาตามเส้นทางทิพย์ของเหล่าเทวะ ท่ามกลางหมู่ยานวิมานสวรรค์นับพันโกฏิ. จากนั้นมันเอ่อล้นท่วมจันทรโลก และท้ายที่สุดก็ตกถึงสำนักของพระพรหมาบนยอดเขาพระเมรุ.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: ततः (ablative adverb: ‘then/from there’)

• aneka-sahasra-koṭi-vimāna-anīka-saṅkula-deva-yānena: by a divine vehicle crowded with hosts of countless aerial cars
• aneka-sahasra-koṭi-vimāna-anīka-saṅkula-deva-yānena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aneka (प्रातिपदिक) + sahasra (प्रातिपदिक) + koṭi (प्रातिपदिक) + vimāna (प्रातिपदिक) + anīka (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅkula (प्रातिपदिक) + deva (प्रातिपदिक) + yāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘by the divine conveyance crowded with hosts of aerial cars numbering many thousands and crores’

• avatarantī: descending
• avatarantī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√tṝ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘descending’ (agrees with implied subject: Gaṅgā)

• indu-maṇḍalam: the lunar sphere
• indu-maṇḍalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indu (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; ‘moon-orb’

• āvārya: having encompassed
• āvārya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ā-√vṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund): ‘having encompassed/covered’

• brahma-sadane: in Brahmā’s abode
• brahma-sadane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + sadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; ‘in Brahmā’s abode’

• nipatati: falls/descends
• nipatati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√pat (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Purport

We should always remember that the Ganges River comes from the Causal Ocean, beyond the covering of the universe. After the water of the Causal Ocean leaks through the hole created by Lord Vāmanadeva, it flows down to Dhruvaloka (the polestar) and then to the seven planets beneath Dhruvaloka. Then it is carried to the moon by innumerable celestial airplanes, and then it falls to the top of Mount Meru, which is known as Sumeru-parvata. In this way, the water of the Ganges finally reaches the lower planets and the peaks of the Himālayas, and from there it flows through Hardwar and throughout the plains of India, purifying the entire land. How the Ganges water reaches the various planets from the top of the universe is explained herein. Celestial airplanes carry the water from the planets of the sages to other planets. So-called advanced scientists of the modern age are trying to go to the higher planets, but at the same time they are experiencing a power shortage on earth. If they were actually capable scientists, they could personally go by airplane to other planets, but this they are unable to do. Having now given up their moon excursions, they are attempting to go to other planets, but without success.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Candra (the Moon)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about how the celestial Gaṅgā descends from higher worlds?

This verse describes her descent along the divine path amid hosts of celestial vimānas, encircling the Moon’s orb and then falling upon Brahmā’s abode (Brahmaloka).

Why is the Moon (Candra-maṇḍala) mentioned in the descent of the celestial Gaṅgā?

In this cosmological narration, Śukadeva indicates key regions she passes by; the Moon’s sphere is a notable celestial station that she encompasses before continuing downward.

Practical application of this cosmology in modern devotional life?

It encourages reverence for sacred rivers and remembrance that the cosmos is governed by divine order—supporting humility, gratitude, and devotion to the Supreme behind all arrangements.