Shloka 1.40.2

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

Devanagari script

यस्येयं वसुधा कृत्स्ना वासुदेवस्य धीमत:।कापिलं रूपमास्थाय धारयत्यनिशं धराम्।।।।तस्य कोपाग्निना दग्धा भविष्यन्ति नृपात्मजा:।

Transliteration

yasyeyaṃ vasudhā kṛtsnā vāsudevasya dhīmataḥ |

kāpilaṃ rūpam āsthāya dhārayaty aniśaṃ dharām |

tasya kopāgninā dagdhā bhaviṣyanti nṛpātmajāḥ ||

Translation

This entire earth belongs to the wise Vāsudeva; assuming the form of Kapila, he continually upholds the earth. By the fire of his wrath, the king’s sons shall be burned.

Context

'This whole earth belongs to sagacious Vasudeva. He always supports the earth assuming the form of Kapila. The princes will be burnt by the fire of his wrath.

Characters & Entities

• Vāsudeva
• Kapila
• earth (vasudhā/dharā)
• sons of the king (Sagara’s sons, implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as moral causality: wrongdoing against a righteous, world-sustaining sage/divine principle results in inevitable consequence; cosmic support and moral order are linked.

What is the narrative situation?

Within the Sagara narrative, the text foreshadows the fate of the princes: they will meet destruction due to Kapila’s wrath.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Righteous power restrained by principle: Kapila/Vāsudeva is depicted as sustaining the world, yet capable of decisive retribution when dharma is violated.