Shloka 1.42.9

गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना (Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā)

Devanagari script

अगत्वा निश्चयं राजा तेषामुद्धरणं प्रति ।व्याधिना नरशार्दूल कालधर्ममुपेयिवान्।।1.42.9।।

Transliteration

agatvā niścayaṃ rājā teṣām uddharaṇaṃ prati |

vyādhinā naraśārdūla kāladharmam upeyivān || 1.42.9 ||

Translation

O tiger among men, the king—without reaching a settled decision about their deliverance—fell ill and met the law of time, that is, death.

Context

O Tiger among men! king Dilipa was unable to arrive at a conclusion regarding thesalvation of his ancestors.He was affected by illness and died.

Characters & Entities

• Dilīpa
• Rāma
• Ancestors of Dilīpa
• Kāla (Time/Death)

FAQs

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

Time is uncompromising; therefore dharma demands timely action and transmission of unresolved duties to worthy successors.

What is the narrative situation?

Dilīpa dies before resolving how to save his ancestors, leaving the task to Bhagīratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sobriety about mortality and the seriousness of vows—one must act before kāla closes the opportunity.