Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 14

गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना

Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

तस्य वर्षसहस्राणि घोरे तपसि तिष्ठत:।।1.42.13।।अतीतानि महाबाहो तस्य राज्ञो महात्मन:। सुप्रीतो भगवान् ब्रह्मा प्रजानां पतिरीश्वर:।।1.42.14।।

Transliteration

tasya varṣasahasrāṇi ghore tapasi tiṣṭhataḥ |

atītāni mahābāho tasya rājño mahātmanaḥ |

suprīto bhagavān brahmā prajānāṃ patir īśvaraḥ ||

Translation

ହେ ମହାବାହୋ! ସେ ମହାତ୍ମା ରାଜା ଘୋର ତପସ୍ୟାରେ ଅଚଳ ରହି ତପ କରୁଥିବାବେଳେ ହଜାର ହଜାର ବର୍ଷ ଅତୀତ ହେଲା; ତେବେ ପ୍ରଜାପତି, ପ୍ରଜାମାନଙ୍କର ଈଶ୍ୱର ଭଗବାନ୍ ବ୍ରହ୍ମା ତାଙ୍କୁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ପ୍ରସନ୍ନ ହେଲେ।

Word by Word

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः; time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/काल-अव्यय (adverb: 'then/thereafter')

• सुरगणैः: with groups of gods
• सुरगणैः: Sahakārī (सहकारी; accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (surāṇāṃ gaṇāḥ)

• सार्धम्: together with
• सार्धम्: Sahakārī (सहकारी; with)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sārdham (अव्यय)
• Form: सह-अर्थक-अव्यय (indeclinable of accompaniment)

• उपागम्य: having approached
• उपागम्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + gam (गम्) धातु
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive), 'having approached/arrived'

• पितामहः: the Grandsire (Brahmā)
• पितामहः: Karta (कर्ता; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ब्रह्मणः उपाधि (title: grandsire)

• भगीरथम्: Bhagīratha
• भगीरथम्: Karma (कर्म; object of अब्रवीत्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagīratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• महात्मानम्: the great-souled
• महात्मानम्: Karma (कर्म; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (mahān ātmā yasya) qualifying भगीरथम्

• तप्यमानम्: performing austerities
• तप्यमानम्: Karma (कर्म; qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tap (तप्) धातु
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; 'being engaged in austerity'

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः; discourse/time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तर/आरम्भ-अव्यय (particle: 'then/thereupon')

• अब्रवीत्: said/spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (ब्रू) धातु
• Form: लङ् (imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Context

O mighty-armed, (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

• Bhagiratha
• Brahmā
• Rāma (Mahābāhu)

FAQs

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

Dharma is validated through sustained tapas aligned with a righteous purpose; divine approval comes when effort is truthful, disciplined, and directed toward a just end.

What is the narrative situation?

After long austerities by Bhagiratha, Brahmā becomes pleased—signaling that a boon or divine intervention is imminent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Endurance and unwavering commitment over time—Bhagiratha’s steadfast tapas that does not waver even across vast spans.