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 ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Habang ang haring-ṛṣi na si Pratīpa ay abala sa banal na pag-aaral, si Gaṅgā—matatag ang loob at may anyong makalangit—ay nag-anyong isang dalagang babae. Taglay ang mapalad na mukha, umahon siya mula sa tubig at umupo sa kanang hita ng hari, malapad na gaya ng punong śāla. Ang kanyang anyo’y kaakit-akit na parang isang diwata sa langit, at ang mukha’y lubhang marikit.
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.