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

Bấy giờ Bhagiratha, bậc đại quang minh và đại phúc, chắp tay cung kính tiến đến, thưa với Đấng Tổ Phụ của hết thảy các thế giới (Brahmā).

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.