Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 6
गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना
Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā
कथं गङ्गावतरणं कथं तेषां जलक्रिया।तारयेयं कथं चैतानिति चिन्तापरोऽभवत्।।1.42.6।।
kathaṃ gaṅgāvataraṇaṃ kathaṃ teṣāṃ jalakriyā |
tārayeyaṃ kathaṃ caitān iti cintāparo 'bhavat || 1.42.6 ||
เขาหมกมุ่นด้วยความคิดว่า “จะอัญเชิญพระแม่คงคาลงมาได้อย่างไร? จะประกอบพิธีชำระด้วยน้ำแก่ท่านเหล่านั้นอย่างไร? และเราจะช่วยให้พวกท่านพ้นได้อย่างไร?”—ดังนี้จึงจมอยู่ในความกังวล
How to bring about the descent of Ganga? How to perform funeral rites of the ancestors with Ganga water? How to liberate them Thus Dilipa was constantly engaged in such thoughts.
FAQs
Pitṛ-dharma: honoring and uplifting one’s ancestors through rightful rites and determined effort; dharma is expressed as responsibility across generations.
Dilīpa searches for a way to bring Gaṅgā to earth so that the proper rites can be done and his ancestors can be released.
Earnestness in duty—his mind is fixed on the welfare of others (his forefathers), not personal gain.