Shloka 4
गङ्गावतरणम्
The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment
ततो हैमवती ज्येष्ठा सर्वलोकनमस्कृता।तदा सातिमहद्रूपं कृत्वा वेगं च दुस्सहम्।।।।आकाशादपतद्राम शिवे शिवशिरस्युत।
tato haimavatī jyeṣṭhā sarva-loka-namaskṛtā |
tadā sā ati-mahad-rūpaṃ kṛtvā vegaṃ ca duḥsaham |
ākāśād apatat rāma śive śiva-śirasy uta ||
于是恒河——喜马伐特之长女，为诸世界所礼敬——化作无比广大之形，挟不可阻挡之势；罗摩啊，她自空中坠落，落在吉祥的湿婆之首。
Then Ganga, the eldest daughter of Himavat who is adored by all the worlds, assuming the form of a mighty river descended from the sky with unbearable speed on the auspicious head of Siva.
FAQs
Dharma as cosmic restraint: immense power must be borne and regulated by a higher stabilizing principle—Śiva receives Gaṅgā so her force does not harm the worlds.
Gaṅgā descends from heaven in a tremendous form and momentum, landing upon Śiva’s head as part of the divine arrangement enabling her safe flow to earth.
Śiva’s protective containment and responsibility—strength used to safeguard the world’s order.