Shloka 35
Bhāgīratha’s Tapas and the Petition to Gaṅgā (गङ्गावतरण-प्रसङ्गः)
मुहूर्त भूत्वा स्थाणोर्वाक्यमचिन्तयत् । (स पुत्रनिधनोद््भूतदु:ःखेन समभिप्लुत: । आत्मानमात्मना55श्वास्य हयमेवान्वचिन्तयत् ।।) अंशुमन्तं समाहुय असमञ्ज:सुतं तदा,उन्हें भस्म हुआ देख महातपस्वी नारदजी राजा सगरके समीप आये और उनसे सब समाचार निवेदित किया। मुनिके मुखसे निकले हुए इस घोर वचनको सुनकर राजा सगर दो घड़ीतक अनमने हो महादेवजीके कथनपर विचार करते रहे। पुत्रकी मृत्युजनित वेदनासे अत्यन्त दुखी हो स्वयं ही अपने-आपको सान्त्वना दे उन्होंने अश्वको ही दूँढ़नेका विचार किया। भरतश्रेष्ठ] तदनन्तर असमञ्जसके पुत्र अपने पौत्र अंशुमान्को बुलाकर यह बात कही--“तात! मेरे अमिततेजस्वी साठ हजार पुत्र मेरे ही लिये महर्षि कपिलकी क्रोधाग्निमें पड़कर नष्ट हो गये। अनघ! पुरवासियोंके हितकी रक्षा रखकर धर्मकी रक्षा करते हुए मैंने तुम्हारे पिताको भी त्याग दिया है”
muhūrtaṃ bhūtvā sthāṇor vākyam acintayat | (sa putra-nidhanodbhūta-duḥkhena samabhiplutaḥ | ātmānam ātmanāśvāsya hayam evānvacintayat ||) aṃśumantaṃ samāhūya asamañjaḥ-sutaṃ tadā |
For a while, King Sagara reflected on the words spoken by Sthāṇu (Śiva). Overwhelmed by the grief that arose from the death of his sons, he steadied himself by his own resolve and turned his mind again to the very purpose of the rite—seeking the sacrificial horse. Then he summoned Aṃśumān, the son of Asamañjas, and addressed him, setting before him the burden of duty: the king’s personal sorrow must not derail the protection of the people and the maintenance of dharma, even when the cost is borne within one’s own family.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when personal tragedy strikes, a ruler is urged to regain inner steadiness and uphold dharma—protecting the people and sustaining rightful duty—rather than being ruled by grief.
After hearing Sthāṇu’s words, Sagara pauses in sorrow over his sons’ death, composes himself, and refocuses on finding the sacrificial horse; he then summons Aṃśumān (Asamañjas’ son) to take up the task and the responsibility tied to the royal rite.