Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 17

गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना

Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

तमुवाच महातेजा: सर्वलोकपितामहम्।भगीरथो महाभाग: कृताञ्जलिरुपस्थित:।।1.42.17।।

Transliteration

tam uvāca mahātejāḥ sarvalokapitāmaham |

bhagīratho mahābhāgaḥ kṛtāñjalir upasthitaḥ ||

Translation

ครั้นแล้วพระภคีรถผู้รุ่งเรือง ผู้มีมหาภาค ได้เข้าไปเฝ้าด้วยประนมมือ แล้วกราบทูลต่อปิตามหะแห่งสรรพโลก (พระพรหมา)

Word by Word

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• उवाच: spoke
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• महातेजाः: the great-splendored one
• महातेजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महत् तेजः यस्य)

• सर्वलोकपितामहम्: the grandsire of all worlds
• सर्वलोकपितामहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva-loka-pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सर्वेषां लोकानां पितामहः)

• भगीरथः: Bhagiratha
• भगीरथः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagīratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• महाभागः: highly fortunate
• महाभागः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मधारय

• कृताञ्जलिः: with folded palms
• कृताञ्जलिः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta-añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (कृतः अञ्जलिः येन)

• उपस्थितः: having approached / present
• उपस्थितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa-sthā (धातु) + kta → upasthita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; क्त-कृदन्त

Context

'O distinguished one! O mighty monarch! O Bhagiratha of excellent vows! I am pleased with your well-disciplined austerities. Ask for a boon'.

Characters & Entities

• Bhagiratha
• Brahmā (Sarvalokapitāmaha)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes humility and reverence toward rightful authority; even a powerful king approaches the divine with respect, truthfulness, and restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

After being invited to ask a boon, Bhagiratha respectfully steps forward with folded hands to present his request to Brahmā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility (vinaya) and devotion expressed through kṛtāñjali—proper conduct when seeking a boon for a righteous purpose.