Canto 1 - Boyhood
Bāla-kāṇḍa
Chapter 42: Bhagīratha’s Austerities for Gaṅgā’s Descent
Text 1.42.24
इयं हैमवती गङ्गा ज्येष्ठा हिमवतः सुता।
तां वै धारयितुं शक्तो हरस्तत्र नियुज्यताम्॥
iyaṁ haimavatī gaṅgā jyeṣṭhā himavataḥ sutā
tāṁ vai dhārayituṁ śakto haras tatra niyujyatām
iyam = this; haimavatī = near the Himālayas; gaṅgā = Gaṅgā; jyeṣṭhā = is the elder; himavataḥ = of Himavān; sutā = daughter; tām vai = when she descent to the earth; dhārayitum = to hold; śaktaḥ = he is capable; haraḥ = Lord Hara; tatra = in this regard; niyujyatām = pray.
This Gaṅgā near the Himālayas is the elder daughter of Himavān. Pray to Lord Hara to hold Gaṅgā [when she descends to the earth]. He is capable in this regard.