Shloka 1.43.40

गङ्गावतरणम् (The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment)

Devanagari script

भगीरथोऽपि राजर्षि: गङ्गामादाय यत्नत:।पितामहान् भस्मकृतानपश्यद्दीनचेतन:।।।।

Transliteration

bhagīratho’pi rājarṣiḥ gaṅgām ādāya yatnataḥ |

pitāmahān bhasma-kṛtān apaśyad dīna-cetanaḥ ||

Translation

Bhagīratha too—though a royal sage—having brought the Gaṅgā with utmost effort, beheld his forefathers lying reduced to ashes, his heart weighed down with grief.

Context

Rajarshi Bhagiratha, having brought Ganga with supreme efforts, saw with a sad heart his grandfathers reduced to ashes.

Characters & Entities

• Bhagīratha
• Gaṅgā
• pitāmahāḥ (Sagara’s ancestors/forefathers)

FAQs

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

Pitṛ-dharma: the righteous duty of a descendant to care for the spiritual welfare of ancestors. Bhagīratha’s sorrow and resolve show that dharma includes gratitude and responsibility across generations.

What is the narrative situation?

After successfully bringing Gaṅgā, Bhagīratha reaches the place where his ancestors (the sons/line of Sagara) lie as ashes and sees their condition directly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Perseverance joined with filial piety—Bhagīratha’s sustained effort is guided by a compassionate sense of obligation toward his forefathers.