Shloka 1.43.41

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

Devanagari script

अथ तद्भस्मनां राशिं गङ्गासलिलमुत्तमम्।प्लावयद्धूतपाप्मानस्स्वर्गं प्राप्ता रघूत्तम।।।।

Transliteration

atha tad-bhasmanāṃ rāśiṃ gaṅgā-salilam uttamam |

plāvayad dhūta-pāpmānaḥ svargaṃ prāptā raghūttama ||

Translation

Then, O best of the Raghus, the excellent waters of the Gaṅgā flooded those heaps of ash; cleansed of their sins, they attained heaven.

Context

O Best of the Raghus! thereafter the holy waters of Ganga inundated those heaps of ashes and the sons of Sagara, purged of their sins, reached heaven" (said Viswamitra).ইত্যার্ষে শ্রীমদ্রামাযণে বাল্মীকীয আদিকাব্যে বালকাণ্ডে ত্রিচত্বারিংশস্সর্গ:৷৷Thus ends the fortythird sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Rāma (Raghūttama)
• Sagara’s sons/ancestors (implied by the ashes)
• Svarga (heaven)

FAQs

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

Dharma as restorative action: righteous effort (Bhagīratha’s tapas and purpose) culminates in purification and upliftment. The verse frames dharma as something that heals consequences and restores cosmic-moral order.

What is the narrative situation?

Gaṅgā’s waters reach the ashes connected with Sagara’s lineage; the inundation signifies ritual-spiritual completion, resulting in their release to heaven.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bhagīratha’s steadfast responsibility: his long undertaking bears fruit not for personal gain but for ancestral deliverance.