Shloka 1.44.9

गङ्गावतरण-समापनः (Conclusion of the Descent of Gaṅgā)

Devanagari script

तथैवांशुमता तात लोकेऽप्रतिमतेजसा।गङ्गां प्रार्थयतानेतुं प्रतिज्ञा नापवर्जिता।।1.44.9।।

Transliteration

pūrvakeṇa hi te rājan tenātiyaśasā tadā | dharmiṇāṃ pravareṇāpi naiṣa prāpto manorathaḥ || 1.44.8 ||

Translation

O king, even your former ancestor—highly renowned and foremost among the righteous—did not, at that time, attain this desired aim.

Context

O Child! similarly though Anshuman possessed unparalleled prowess in this world his prayer to Ganga, his vow could not be fulfilled.

Characters & Entities

• Sagara (implied as the renowned ancestor in context)
• Bhagīratha (implied as the one who succeeds later)

FAQs

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

Dharma acknowledges human limitation: even the righteous may not accomplish every aim; therefore, duty may pass across generations, calling for sustained truthful effort.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker notes that the earlier, famous righteous ancestor did not succeed in fulfilling the objective connected with Gaṅgā and the ancestors’ welfare.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṣamā and dhairya (forbearance and perseverance) in pursuing a dharmic goal across time.