Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 39
गङ्गावतरणम्
The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment
जगाम च पुनर्गङ्गा भगीरथरथानुगा।सागरं चापि सम्प्राप्ता सा सरित्प्रवरा तदा।।।।रसातलमुपागच्छत्सिद्ध्यर्थं तस्य कर्मण:।
jagāma ca punar gaṅgā bhagīratha-rathānugā |
sāgaraṃ cāpi samprāptā sā sarit-pravarā tadā |
rasātalam upāgacchat siddhy-arthaṃ tasya karmaṇaḥ ||
ガンガーは再び進み、バギーラタの戦車に従った。海に至ると、河川の中の最勝なるその流れは、彼の事業を成就させるためラサータラへと入った。
Ganga, best among rivers, following the chariot of Bhagiratha, reached the ocean. She entered the nether regions of the earth in order to fulfil his mission (salvation of the sons of Sagara).
FAQs
Perseverance in righteous duty: dharma is fulfilled not by beginning well, but by completing the obligation—here, the mission to aid ancestors and uphold truth of purpose.
After being released by Jahnu, Gaṅgā continues with Bhagīratha, reaches the ocean, and descends into the nether regions to accomplish the goal connected with his rite.
Bhagīratha’s unwavering follow-through (kṛta-niścaya) toward a dharmic end.