Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 30
गङ्गावतरणम्
The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment
भगीरथोऽपि राजार्षिर्दिव्यं स्यन्दनमास्थित:।प्रायादग्रे महातेजास्तं गङ्गा पृष्ठतोऽन्वगात्।।।
bhagīratho 'pi rājārṣir divyaṃ syandanam āsthitaḥ | prāyād agre mahā-tejās taṃ gaṅgā pṛṣṭhato 'nvagāt ||
ثم إنّ الحكيمَ الملكيَّ بهاغيراثا، المتلألئ بعظيم البهاء، اعتلى مركبةً سماويةً ومضى في المقدّمة؛ وتبعته الغانغا من خلفه.
Most brilliant rajarshi Bhagiratha also mounting the divine chariot moved forward and Ganga followed him.
FAQs
Dharma as righteous leadership: Bhagīratha goes first, taking responsibility for directing a divine force toward a welfare-giving purpose.
After Gaṅgā’s descent is made safe, Bhagīratha proceeds ahead on a divine chariot, guiding her course as she follows.
Steadfast purpose (dṛḍha-saṅkalpa): he continues to guide the mission to completion, not stopping at merely obtaining the boon.