Shloka 51
Bhāgīratha’s Tapas and the Petition to Gaṅgā (गङ्गावतरण-प्रसङ्गः)
स दृष्टवा तेजसो राशिं पुराणमृषिसत्तमम् | प्रणम्य शिरसा भूमौ कार्यमस्मै न्यवेदयत्,तेजोराशि मुनिप्रवर पुराणपुरुष कपिलजीका दर्शन करके अंशुमानने धरतीपर माथा टेककर प्रणाम किया और उनसे अपना कार्य बताया
sa dṛṣṭvā tejaso rāśiṃ purāṇam ṛṣisattamam | praṇamya śirasā bhūmau kāryam asmai nyavedayat ||
Melihat resi tertinggi yang kuno itu—laksana segumpal cahaya—ia bersujud dengan kepala menyentuh tanah, lalu menyampaikan kepadanya maksud tugasnya.
सगर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct when approaching spiritual power: humility (praṇāma), self-restraint, and honest communication of one’s purpose. Reverence is shown not merely as ritual, but as an ethical posture that makes guidance possible.
The seeker, upon encountering the ancient sage who appears as a radiant presence, bows with his head to the earth and then states his mission to the sage—setting up the ensuing exchange central to the Kapila–Sagara/Aṃśumān episode.