Shloka 1
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 60: Arjuna’s return, auspicious omens, and mission delegation
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके १०३ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ३५६ *लोक हैं) शीशना ह्न अ्ीस्जनी: षष्टितमो< ध्याय: राजा भगीरथका चरित्र नारद उवाच भगीरथं च राजानं मृतं सृज्जय शुश्रुम । (परित्राणाय पूर्वेषां येन गड्जावतारिता । यस्येन्द्रो बाहुवीर्येण प्रीतो राज्ञो महात्मन: ।। योअश्वमेधशतैरीजे समाप्तवरदक्षिणै: । हविर्मन्त्रान्नसम्पन्नै्देवानामादधान्मुदम् ।। यस्येन्द्रो वितते यज्ञे सोमं पीत्वा मदोत्कट: । असुराणां सहस््राणि बहूनि च सुरेश्वर: ।। अजयदू बाहुवीर्येण भगवॉल्लोकपूजित: ।) येन भागीरथी गड़ा चयनै: काज्चनैश्विता
nārada uvāca | bhagīrathaṃ ca rājānaṃ mṛtaṃ sṛñjaya śuśruma | paritrāṇāya pūrveṣāṃ yena gaṅgāvatāritā |
Narada said: “O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that King Bhagīratha has passed away—he by whom the river Gaṅgā was brought down to earth for the deliverance of the ancestors. His life is remembered as an act of responsibility toward forebears and as a model of royal duty: using power and austerity not for self-display, but to secure the welfare of those who depend upon the king, including those who came before.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a king’s dharma as protective responsibility extending beyond the living to one’s ancestors: true greatness is measured by actions that secure welfare and moral continuity (paritrāṇa) rather than personal gain.
Narada informs Sṛñjaya that King Bhagīratha has died and recalls his famed deed—bringing Gaṅgā down to earth to deliver his ancestors—introducing Bhagīratha’s exemplary royal conduct as a point of remembrance.