Chapter 10: Vibhūti-yoga / Verse 31

Pañca-bhūtas, five elements, constitute the world. Of these, earth is solid, given to retain its shape. Water will flow downwards and spread. Air permeating below, sideward and above, cleanses everything. Wind dries clothes, grains and wet articles. Air, like kalpaka-vrksha (wish-yielding tree), is the best purifier.

Rāma-bāṇa, an arrow from Rama, Dasharatha’s son, has infallible force and accuracy. Ravana had deputed his uncle Maricha to spoil Sage Vishwamitra’s Yāga. Vishwamitra had thoughtfully brought Rama and Lakshmana from Ayodhya to protect his yāga. Rāma-bāṇa did its irresistible work. Maricha cites this, while begging Ravana to spare him from the mission of obstructing the Sage’s yāga.

The common fishes can survive only in water, but an alligator can survive in water as well as on land. Ganga the perennial river coming down from the Himalayas is considered to be the most auspicious among rivers. The Indian civilization thrived on its banks.