Shloka 1.40.26

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

Devanagari script

ते तं हयवरं ज्ञात्वा क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणा:।।।।खनित्रलाङ्गलधरा नानावृक्षशिलाधरा:।अभ्यधावन्त सङ्क्रुद्धास्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रुवन्।।।।

Transliteration

te taṃ hayavaraṃ jñātvā krodhaparyākulekṣaṇāḥ | khanitralāṅgaladharā nānāvṛkṣaśilādharāḥ | abhyadhāvanta saṅkruddhās tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābruvan |

Translation

Recognizing that excellent horse, their eyes troubled by anger, they—bearing spades and ploughshares, and carrying various trees and stones—rushed forward in fury, shouting, “Stop! Stop!”

Context

They recognised that best of horses. Their eyes were red with anger. Armed with spades, plough-shares and every kind of tree and stone and furious with wrath, they rushed towards Kapila shouting, wait, wait!

Characters & Entities

• Sagarātmajāḥ (sons of Sagara)
• Aśvamedha horse (hayavara)

FAQs

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

Dharma rejects violence born of anger and suspicion. Even when one believes an injustice occurred, righteous conduct requires inquiry and restraint before aggression.

What is the narrative situation?

After spotting the sacrificial horse, Sagara’s sons charge forward armed with digging tools and makeshift weapons, shouting for the figure before them to stop.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The episode highlights the need for kṣamā (forbearance) and viveka (discernment), virtues absent in their furious rush.