Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 16
गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना
Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā
भगीरथ महाभाग प्रीतस्तेऽहं जनेश्वर।तपसा च सुतप्तेन वरं वरय सुव्रत।।1.42.16।।
bhagīratha mahābhāga prītas te 'haṃ janeśvara |
tapasā ca sutaptena varaṃ varaya suvrata ||
भगीरथ महाभाग जनेश्वर सुव्रत, सुतप्तेन तपसा तेऽहं प्रीतः; वरं वरय॥
Thereafter, the Grandsire arrived with the gods and spoke to the noble Bhagiratha engaged in austerities.
FAQs
Right effort (tapas) aligned with truth and vows is honored; dharma teaches that disciplined striving gains legitimate divine support—not arbitrary favor.
Brahmā directly addresses Bhagiratha and invites him to ask for a boon, marking the turning point toward Gaṅgā’s descent.
Bhagiratha’s integrity in vows (suvrata) and properly conducted austerity (sutapta-tapas).