Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 15

गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना

Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

ततस्सुरगणैस्सार्धमुपागम्य पितामह:।भगीरथं महात्मानं तप्यमानमथाब्रवीत्।।1.42.15।।

Transliteration

tatas suragaṇaiḥ sārdham upāgamya pitāmahaḥ |

bhagīrathaṃ mahātmānaṃ tapyamānam athābravīt ||

Translation

そのとき、神々の群れとともに来臨した祖父神（梵天）は、なお苦行に励む大いなる魂のバギーラタに語りかけた。

Word by Word

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• सुरगणैः: with groups of gods
• सुरगणैः: सहकारक (Sahakāraka/Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर + गण (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: 'groups of gods'); तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), बहुवचन (Plural), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• सार्धम्: together with
• सार्धम्: सहकारक (Accompaniment marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सार्धम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक (particle meaning 'together with')

• उपागम्य: having approached
• उपागम्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-आ-√गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव; 'having approached/arrived'

• पितामहः: the grandsire (Brahmā)
• पितामहः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/प्रथमा), एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• भगीरथम्: Bhagīratha
• भगीरथम्: कर्म (Karma/Object of speaking)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगीरथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• महात्मानम्: great-souled
• महात्मानम्: कर्म (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् to भगीरथम्

• तप्यमानम्: performing austerities
• तप्यमानम्: कर्म (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √तप् (धातु)
• Form: शानच्-प्रत्यय (Present middle participle/शानच्), द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् to भगीरथम्

• अथ: then
• अथ: क्रियाविशेषण (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/सम्बन्धसूचक (sequencing particle)

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: क्रिया (Main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Context

O mightyarmed, (Rama) Bhagiratha continued in that state for a thousand years amidst rigid austerities. Lord of all creatures, Brahma was highly pleased with that illustrious king.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā (Pitāmaha)
• Bhagiratha

FAQs

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

Dharma recognizes sincere spiritual labor: when tapas is rightly undertaken, divine authorities respond, affirming a moral order where effort and grace meet.

What is the narrative situation?

Brahmā arrives with the gods to address Bhagiratha, indicating that Bhagiratha’s austerities have reached fruition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Single-minded devotion to a dharmic aim—Bhagiratha remains absorbed in austerity until the divine response comes.