Shloka 1.40.23

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

Devanagari script

तत: प्रागुत्तरां गत्वा सागरा: प्रथितां दिशम्।।।।रोषादभ्यखनन् सर्वे पृथिवीं सगरात्मजा:।

Transliteration

tataḥ prāguttarāṃ gatvā sāgarāḥ prathitāṃ diśam | roṣād abhyakhanan sarve pṛthivīṃ sagarātmajāḥ |

Translation

Then, having gone to the famed north‑eastern quarter, all the sons of Sagara, driven by wrath, began to dig into the earth.

Context

Subsequently, the sons of Sagara, having gone towards the celebrated north-eastern region began to dig with wrath.

Characters & Entities

• Sagara
• Sagarātmajāḥ (sons of Sagara)
• prāguttarā diś (north‑eastern direction)
• Pṛthivī (earth)

FAQs

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

Dharma cautions against acting from krodha (anger). Even when pursuing a legitimate aim (recovering the sacrificial horse), wrath-driven action becomes reckless and sets the stage for harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Sagara’s sons move to the north‑eastern region and begin excavating the earth in their search for the missing Aśvamedha horse.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse primarily highlights a lack of restraint; the implied virtue is self-control (dama/kṣamā), which is absent as they act in anger.