Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 11

सगरपुत्राणां रसातलगमनम्

The Descent of Sagara’s Sons and the Wrath of Kapila

Devanagari script

पितुर्वचनमासाद्य सगरस्य महात्मन:।।।।षष्टि: पुत्रसहस्राणि रसातलमभिद्रवन्।

Transliteration

pitur vacanam āsādya sagarasya mahātmanaḥ |

ṣaṣṭiḥ putra-sahasrāṇi rasātalam abhidravan || 1.40.11 ||

Translation

Sa pagtanggap sa utos ng kanilang ama, ang dakilang si Sagara, ang animnapung libong anak ay rumagasa patungo sa Rasātala, ang mga kailaliman.

Word by Word

• पितुः: of (their) father
• पितुः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/षष्ठी), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• वचनम्: command/word
• वचनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• आसाद्य: having received/obtained
• आसाद्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial to main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√सद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable verbal), अर्थः: having reached/obtained

• सगरस्य: of Sagara
• सगरस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सगर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/षष्ठी), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled
• महात्मनः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/षष्ठी), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine); विशेषणम् (qualifier) to सगरस्य

• षष्टिः: sixty
• षष्टिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Singular), स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine); संख्या (numeral) used with following noun

• पुत्रसहस्राणि: thousands of sons
• पुत्रसहस्राणि: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Genitive determinative: 'of sons' + 'thousands'); प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/प्रथमा), बहुवचन (Plural), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• रसातलम्: Rasātala (netherworld)
• रसातलम्: कर्म (Karma/Goal as object of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रसातल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• अभिद्रवन्: ran towards
• अभिद्रवन्: क्रिया (Main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-√द्रु (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)

Context

Rive the earth again and excavate, capture the one who has stolen the horse and return after having accomplished the purpose. Safety to you!

Characters & Entities

• Sagara
• Rasātala

FAQs

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

Filial and royal obedience is shown as dharma: the sons act immediately upon the father-king’s command, reflecting duty within hierarchical order.

What is the narrative situation?

Sagara’s sons, tasked with the search connected to the stolen horse, descend rapidly toward the netherworld in their pursuit.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ājñā-pālana (obedience to rightful command): prompt execution of duty, though later narrative warns that zeal without discernment can lead to harm.