Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 12

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

codito rāmavākyena viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ | vṛddhiṃ janma ca gaṅgāyā vaktum evopacakrame ||

Translation

Nang maudyukan ng mga salita ni Rāma, ang dakilang muni na si Viśvāmitra ay nagsimulang isalaysay ang kapanganakan ng Gaṅgā at ang kanyang pagdaloy at paglawak pagkatapos noon.

Word by Word

• चोदितः: prompted
• चोदितः: विशेषण (predicate of viśvāmitraḥ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चुद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• रामवाक्येन: by Rāma's words
• रामवाक्येन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम + वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (रामस्य वाक्येन = by Rāma's words)

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

• महामुनिः: the great sage
• महामुनिः: कर्ता (apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामुनि (प्रातिपदिक: महा + मुनि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास

• वृद्धिम्: growth/prosperity
• वृद्धिम्: कर्म (object of vaktum)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• जन्म: birth/origin
• जन्म: कर्म (object of vaktum)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• गङ्गायाः: of Gaṅgā
• गङ्गायाः: सम्बन्ध (genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• वक्तुम्: to tell
• वक्तुम्: प्रयोजन (purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त infinitive (to speak/tell)

• एव: indeed
• एव: अवधारण
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphasis)

• उपचक्रमे: began
• उपचक्रमे: क्रिया (main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्रम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), आत्मनेपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्ग: उप-; अर्थ: '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

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• Gaṅgā

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld through right transmission of knowledge: a qualified teacher responds to a sincere student, preserving sacred history through truthful narration.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāma’s inquiry, Viśvāmitra formally begins the Gaṅgā-upākhyāna (the episode explaining Gaṅgā’s origin and course).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viśvāmitra’s readiness to teach and Rāma’s respectful prompting together highlight the ideal learning relationship.