Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 10

गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना

Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

इन्द्रलोकं गतो राजा स्वार्जितेनैव कर्मणा।राज्ये भगीरथं पुत्रमभिषिच्य नरर्षभ:।।1.42.10।।

Transliteration

indralokaṃ gato rājā svārjitenaiva karmaṇā |

rājye bhagīrathaṃ putram abhiṣicya nararṣabhaḥ ||

Translation

Jener König, der Beste der Menschen, krönte im Reich seinen Sohn Bhagiratha und ging dann in Indras Welt ein, die er durch eigene verdienstvolle Taten errungen hatte.

Word by Word

• इन्द्रलोकम्: to Indra's world
• इन्द्रलोकम्: Gati-karma (गति-कर्म; destination)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indra + loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (indrasya lokaḥ)

• गतः: having gone
• गतः: Karta (कर्ता; predicate of राजा)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (गम्) धातु
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; 'gone'

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• स्वार्जितेन: self-earned
• स्वार्जितेन: Karaṇa (करण; agrees with कर्मणा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva + ārjita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (svayam ārjitam) qualifying कर्मणा

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः; emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• कर्मणा: by (his) deeds
• कर्मणा: Karaṇa (करण; means/cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• राज्ये: in the kingdom
• राज्ये: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण; location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/locative), एकवचन

• भगीरथम्: Bhagīratha
• भगीरथम्: Karma (कर्म; object of अभिषिच्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagīratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; व्यक्तिनाम

• पुत्रम्: (his) son
• पुत्रम्: Karma (कर्म; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; भगीरथम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणार्थे (appositional)

• अभिषिच्य: having crowned/anointed
• अभिषिच्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi + sic (सिच्) धातु
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive), 'having anointed/coronated'

• नरर्षभः: the best of men
• नरर्षभः: Karta (कर्ता; apposition to राजा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara + ṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (narāṇāṃ ṛṣabhaḥ)

Context

The king (Dilipa) performed the coronation of his son Bhagiratha and reached the region of Indra as a reward for virtuous acts done by him.

Characters & Entities

• Indraloka
• Bhagiratha
• Indra

FAQs

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

Dharma links rulership with personal merit: the king responsibly installs a successor and attains higher realms through self-earned righteous action.

What is the narrative situation?

The reigning king crowns Bhagiratha and then departs for Indra’s realm, indicating a completed life of duty and virtue.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible kingship and accountability—both in ensuring succession and in earning spiritual reward through one’s own deeds.