Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 11

गङ्गाजन्मवर्णनम् / The Origin of the Ganga

Tripathagā Narrative

Devanagari script

अथ तत्र तदा रामो विश्वामित्रमथाब्रवीत्।।1.35.11।। भगवन् श्रोतुमिच्छामि गङ्गां त्रिपथगां नदीम्।त्रैलोक्यं कथमाक्रम्य गता नदनदीपतिम्।।1.35.12।।

Transliteration

atha tatra tadā rāmo viśvāmitram athābravīt | bhagavan śrotum icchāmi gaṅgāṃ tripathagāṃ nadīm | trailokyaṃ katham ākramya gatā nadanadīpatim ||

Translation

At doon nga, sinabi ni Rāma kay Viśvāmitra: “Bhagavān, nais kong marinig ang tungkol sa Ilog Gaṅgā, ang ilog na dumadaloy sa tatlong landas. Paano niya nalampasan ang tatlong daigdig at nakarating sa panginoon ng mga ilog—ang dagat?”

Word by Word

• चोदितः: prompted
• चोदितः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; of उपचक्रमे)
• Type: Verb
• Root: cud (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘prompted’

• रामवाक्येन: by Rāma's words
• रामवाक्येन: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma + vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: रामस्य वाक्यम् (by Rāma's words)

• विश्वामित्रः: Viśvāmitra
• विश्वामित्रः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महामुनिः: the great sage
• महामुनिः: Apposition (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् मुनिः

• वृद्धिम्: growth/prosperity
• वृद्धिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object; of वक्तुम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• जन्म: birth/origin
• जन्म: Karma (कर्म/Object; of वक्तुम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• गङ्गायाः: of Gaṅgā
• गङ्गायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• वक्तुम्: to tell
• वक्तुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; तुमुन्-प्रत्यय (infinitive)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक

• उपचक्रमे: began
• उपचक्रमे: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + kram (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; ‘began/commenced’

Context

Then Rama said to Viswamitra "O venerable one! I wish to know why Ganga flowing in three directions, occupy (purified) the three worlds before entering the sea, the lord of rivers?"

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Viśvāmitra
• Gaṅgā
• Trailokya (three worlds)
• Ocean/Sea (lord of rivers)

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as satya-jijñāsā—reverent pursuit of truth through proper questioning of a worthy teacher, rather than speculation or pride.

What is the narrative situation?

On reaching the region of the Jahnavī, Rāma asks Viśvāmitra to explain the Gaṅgā’s cosmic course—her passage through the three worlds and her final meeting with the ocean.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s humility and teachability (vinaya), shown by addressing the sage respectfully and seeking knowledge for understanding rather than display.