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 ||
তখন রাজর্ষি ভগীরথ দিব্য রথে আরোহণ করে মহাতেজে দীপ্ত হয়ে অগ্রে অগ্রে চললেন; আর গঙ্গা তাঁর পশ্চাতে পশ্চাতে অনুসরণ করল॥
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.