Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 32

गङ्गावतरणम्

The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment

Devanagari script

देवास्सर्षिगणा: सर्वे दैत्यदानवराक्षसा:।।1.43.31।।गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवरास्सकिन्नरमहोरगा:। सर्वाश्चाप्सरसो राम भगीरथरथानुगाम्।।1.43.32।।गङ्गामन्वगमन् प्रीतास्सर्वे जलचराश्च ये।

Transliteration

devāḥ sarṣigaṇāḥ sarve daityadānavarākṣasāḥ |

gandharvayakṣapravarāḥ sa-kinnara-mahoragāḥ |

sarvāś cāpsaraso rāma bhagīratha-rathānugām |

gaṅgām anvagaman prītāḥ sarve jalacarāś ca ye ||

Translation

ラーマよ、これらすべて—神々と仙人たち、ダイティヤ、ダーナヴァ、ラークシャサ、最勝のガンダルヴァとヤクシャ、キンナラと力ある大蛇、そしてすべてのアプサラス—は、バギーラタの戦車の後を行くガンガーに喜んで従い、あらゆる水の生きものもまた共に従った。

Word by Word

• yataḥ: wherever/from where
• yataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण; direction/source)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yataḥ (अव्यय; from yad)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb), यतस्-शब्दः—सम्बन्ध/दिशा (from where/wherever)

• bhagīrathaḥ: Bhagīratha
• bhagīrathaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagīratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• tataḥ: thence/thereupon
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण; direction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय; from tad)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb), ततोऽर्थः—तस्मिन् दिशि/ततः (thence/in that direction)

• gaṅgā-yaśasvinī: the renowned Gaṅgā
• gaṅgā-yaśasvinī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yaśasvinī (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (the renowned Gaṅgā)

• jagāma: went/flowed
• jagāma: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम

• saritām: of rivers
• saritām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarit (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• śrēṣṭhā: the best
• śrēṣṭhā: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrēṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (superlative sense)

• sarva-pāpa-praṇāśinī: destroying all sins
• sarva-pāpa-praṇāśinī: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praṇāśinī (प्रातिपदिक) + sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + pāpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (destroyer of all sins); विशेषणम्

Context

O Rama besides acquatic beings, rishis, devatas, daityas, danavas, rakshasas along with kinnaras, serpents, foremost of gandharvas, yakshas and apsaras all followed the chariot of Bhagiratha. They were happy to follow Ganga.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bhagīratha
• Gaṅgā
• Devas
• Ṛṣis
• Daityas
• Dānavas
• Rākṣasas
• Gandharvas
• Yakṣas
• Kinnaras
• Mahoragas
• Apsarases

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as harmony with a righteous aim: when an action is rooted in truth and public good, it becomes a cause around which even opposed classes of beings can unite.

What is the narrative situation?

The verse reiterates the great procession of beings following Gaṅgā behind Bhagīratha’s moving chariot.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bhagīratha’s unwavering commitment to a sacred duty (niṣṭhā) that inspires universal participation.