Shloka 7

गङ्गावतरणम्

The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment

Devanagari script

सा तस्मिन् पतिता पुण्या पुण्ये रुद्रस्य मूर्धनि।।।।हिमवत्प्रतिमे राम जटामण्डलगह्वरे।

Transliteration

sā tasmin patitā puṇyā puṇye rudrasya mūrdhani |

himavat-pratime rāma jaṭā-maṇḍala-gahvare ||

Translation

罗摩啊，那圣洁的恒河就此落在鲁陀罗的神圣头顶——落入他如喜马伐特般广阔的纠结发髻之洞窟深处。

Word by Word

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• तस्मिन्: on that
• तस्मिन्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Locative, Singular

• पतिता: having fallen
• पतिता: Kriyā (क्रिया/भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Nominative, Singular; predicate of 'सा'

• पुण्या: holy
• पुण्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; qualifies 'सा' (Gaṅgā)

• पुण्ये: on the sacred
• पुण्ये: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Singular; qualifies 'मूर्धनि'

• रुद्रस्य: of Rudra
• रुद्रस्य: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• मूर्धनि: on (his) head
• मूर्धनि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• हिमवत्प्रतिमे: in the Himavat-like
• हिमवत्प्रतिमे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हिमवत्-प्रतिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular; compound: हिमवतः प्रतिमा/सदृशम् = 'resembling Himavat'; qualifies 'जटामण्डलगह्वरे'

• राम: O Rāma
• राम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• जटामण्डलगह्वरे: in the hollow of the matted locks
• जटामण्डलगह्वरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जटा-मण्डल-गह्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular; compound: जटानां मण्डलस्य गह्वरे = 'in the cavern of the circle of matted locks'

Context

O Rama! that sacred river (Ganga), descended on to the depths of the matted locks on the holy head of Siva resembling the mount Himavan.

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Rudra (Śiva)
• Himavat (Himalaya)
• Jaṭā (matted locks)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes mediation: overwhelming forces must pass through rightful channels. Śiva becomes the stabilizing medium so that Gaṅgā’s descent serves the world rather than harms it.

What is the narrative situation?

Gaṅgā lands on Śiva’s head and becomes trapped/contained in the depths of his matted hair.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śiva’s forbearance and guardianship—he bears and contains a cosmic force for the welfare of creation.