Shloka 1.39.5

सगरयज्ञाश्वहरणम् — The Stolen Sacrificial Horse of Sagara

Devanagari script

तयोर्मध्ये प्रवृत्तोऽभूद्यज्ञ स्सपुरुषोत्तम।स हि देशो नरव्याघ्र प्रशस्तो यज्ञकर्मणि।।1.39.5।।

Transliteration

bhagavan pṛthivī sarvā khanyate sagarātmajaiḥ |

bahavaś ca mahātmāno hanyante talavāsinaḥ || 1.39.24 ||

Translation

O Blessed Lord, the sons of Sagara are digging up the whole earth, and many great beings who dwell in the nether regions are being slain.

Context

"O best of men, the sacrifice took place in the region in between these two mountains. O tiger among men! the region was appropriate for conducting sacrificial acts.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Sagara’s sons
• Earth (Pṛthivī)
• Lower worlds (tala/rasātala context)

FAQs

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

Dharma forbids harm to innocent beings: even a royal objective (protecting a yajña) becomes adharma if pursued through indiscriminate violence.

What is the narrative situation?

The petitioners inform Brahmā that the sons of Sagara are devastating the earth and killing beings in the subterranean realms.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassion and responsibility for the vulnerable—these beings speak up to prevent widespread injustice.