Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 44, Shloka 2

गङ्गावतरण-समापनः

Conclusion of the Descent of Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

भस्मन्यथाऽप्लुते राम गङ्गायास्सलिलेन वै।सर्वलोकप्रभुर्ब्रह्मा राजानमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.44.2।।

Transliteration

bhasmany athāplute rāma gaṅgāyāḥ salilena vai | sarvalokaprabhur brahmā rājānam idam abravīt || 1.44.2 ||

Translation

O Rāma, when the ashes had been inundated indeed by the waters of the Gaṅgā, Brahmā—the lord of all the worlds—addressed the king with these words.

Word by Word

• भस्मनि: in/on the ashes
• भस्मनि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/locative), एकवचन

• यथा: when, as
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Clause linker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (as/when)

• अप्लुते: was flooded
• अप्लुते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√प्लु (धातु; √प्लु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; 'was inundated'

• राम: O Rama
• राम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (vocative), एकवचन

• गङ्गायाः: of Ganga
• गङ्गायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/genitive), एकवचन

• सलिलेन: with water
• सलिलेन: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सलिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/instrumental), एकवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Prayojaka-nipāta (निपात/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphasis/assurance)

• सर्वलोकप्रभुः: the lord of all worlds
• सर्वलोकप्रभुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (lord of all worlds); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ब्रह्मा: Brahma
• ब्रह्मा: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• राजानम्: the king
• राजानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• इदम्: this (speech/words)
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (object: 'this')

• अब्रवीत्: said, spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु; √ब्रू)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

After the ashes were inundated by the waters of Ganga, Brahma, lord of the world, appeared before king Bhagiratha and said:

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Brahmā
• Bhagīratha (as rājānam, implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as efficacious when pursued with truth and perseverance: sacred aims (liberation of ancestors) are realized, drawing divine acknowledgment.

What is the narrative situation?

Once Gaṅgā’s waters reach the ashes (of Sagara’s sons), Brahmā appears to Bhagiratha and begins speaking (leading into the subsequent verses).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Perseverance in a righteous mission—Bhagiratha’s sustained effort culminates in ritual completion and divine response.