Shloka 1.40.11

सगरपुत्राणां रसातलगमनम् — The Descent of Sagara’s Sons and the Wrath of Kapila

Devanagari script

पितुर्वचनमासाद्य सगरस्य महात्मन:।।।।षष्टि: पुत्रसहस्राणि रसातलमभिद्रवन्।

Transliteration

khanyamāne tatas tasmin dadṛśuḥ parvatopamam |

diśā-gajaṃ virūpākṣaṃ dhārayantaṃ mahītalam || 1.40.12 ||

Translation

As they excavated that region further, they beheld Virūpākṣa, the quarter-elephant, mountain-like in size, supporting the earth.

Context

Receiving the command of their father, the magnanimous Sagara, his sixty thousand sons ran towards Rasatala (nether world).

Characters & Entities

• Virūpākṣa
• diśāgaja (directional elephant)
• earth (mahī)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes sustaining order: the cosmic image of a being supporting the earth symbolizes stability and responsibility as foundational virtues.

What is the narrative situation?

During their digging, Sagara’s sons reach a cosmic layer and witness the directional elephant Virūpākṣa supporting the earth.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dhāraṇa (support/sustenance): the ideal of bearing burdens for the welfare of the whole, mirrored in cosmological symbolism.