Shloka 1.41.8
अंशुमान्—अश्वान्वेषणम्, दिशागजसंवादः, कपिलदाहवृत्तान्तः, गङ्गोपदेशः (Anshuman’s Search for the Horse and the Counsel to Bring Ganga)
स तं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा पृष्ट्वा चापि निरामयम्।पितृ़न् स परिपप्रच्छ वाजिहर्तारमेव च।।।।
akṛtvā niścayaṃ rājā kālena mahatā mahān | triṃśadvarṣasahasrāṇi rājyaṃ kṛtvā divaṃ gataḥ ||
The great king, after a long time still without reaching a decision, ruled his kingdom for thirty thousand years and then ascended to heaven.
Having circumambulated the elephant, he (Anshuman) enquired about his well-being, the where abouts of his uncles and also about the one who had stolen the sacrificial horse.
Human effort can remain incomplete; dharma is sustained across generations. The unresolved duty (Gaṅgā’s descent) becomes a continuing responsibility for descendants.
Sagara lives long, rules, yet dies without solving the problem of bringing Gaṅgā down, setting the stage for later efforts by his lineage.
Endurance in kingship (rājadharma) despite personal sorrow—he continues to govern responsibly even with an unresolved spiritual obligation.