Shloka 9

गङ्गावतरण-समापनः

Conclusion of the Descent of Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

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

Transliteration

tathaivāṃśumatā tāta loke ’pratimatejasā | gaṅgāṃ prārthayatā netuṃ pratijñā nāpavarjitā || 1.44.9 ||

Translation

हे तात! इसी प्रकार लोक में अप्रतिम तेज वाले अंशुमान ने भी गंगा को लाने की प्रार्थना की, पर उसकी प्रतिज्ञा पूर्ण न हो सकी।

Word by Word

• तथा: thus
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (thus/so)

• एव: indeed, likewise
• एव: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (just/indeed)

• अंशुमता: by Anshuman
• अंशुमता: Karaṇa (करण/Agent-instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अंशुमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; नाम (Anśumat)

• तात: O dear one
• तात: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• अप्रतिमतेजसा: by one of unmatched prowess
• अप्रतिमतेजसा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अप्रतिम-तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (unparalleled + splendor); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying aṃśumatā)

• गङ्गाम्: Ganga
• गङ्गाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रार्थयता: by (him) beseeching
• प्रार्थयता: Karaṇa (करण; agent described)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√अर्थ् (धातु; √अर्थ्)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; 'by (him) who was beseeching'

• आनेतुम्: to bring
• आनेतुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-नी (धातु; √नी)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive); प्रयोजन (purpose)

• प्रतिज्ञा: the vow
• प्रतिज्ञा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• अपवर्जिता: was completed
• अपवर्जिता: Kriyā (क्रिया; passive predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अप-√वृज् (धातु; √वृज्)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle, passive: 'was fulfilled/completed'); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; प्रतिज्ञा-विशेष्य

Context

On hearing the words of Viswamitra, Rama along with Lakshmana, filled with astonishment said to him:

Characters & Entities

• Aṃśumān
• Gaṅgā

FAQs

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

Dharma is not merely power but steadfastness aligned with right means; even extraordinary prowess does not guarantee success unless conditions (divine, moral, and practical) converge.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration emphasizes that Aṃśumān, despite great might, did not complete the vow of bringing Gaṅgā—setting the stage for Bhagīratha’s eventual success.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility before dharma and destiny: recognizing that righteous goals may require continued effort beyond a single lifetime.