Shloka 1.40.15

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

Devanagari script

तं ते प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा दिशापालं महागजम्।।।।मानयन्तो हि ते राम जग्मुर्भित्त्वा रसातलम्।

Transliteration

taṃ te pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā diśāpālaṃ mahāgajam |

mānayanto hi te rāma jagmur bhittvā rasātalam ||

Translation

O Rāma, honoring that mighty elephant, the guardian of the quarter, they performed pradakṣiṇā around him; then, rending the earth, they descended to Rasātala.

Context

O Rama! having circumabulated and honoured that mighty elephant, the protector of the quarter they reached the Rasatala by riving the earth.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• diśāpāla (guardian of a quarter)
• mahāgaja (directional elephant)
• Rasātala

FAQs

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

Dharma here is reverence toward cosmic guardians: even while pursuing their aim, the princes first show respect (pradakṣiṇā, māna) to the quarter-protector, modeling proper conduct before power and the sacred.

What is the narrative situation?

Sagara’s sons, continuing their subterranean search, first honor a directional elephant and then break through the earth to proceed into Rasātala.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respectful discipline: the action of circumambulation and inquiry reflects humility and recognition of higher order.