Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 11

Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation

Devanagari script

रथेन वायुवेगेन प्रयान्तमनुधावती । देशान्पुनन्ती निर्दग्धानासिञ्चत्सगरात्मजान् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

rathena vāyu-vegena prayāntam anudhāvatī deśān punantī nirdagdhān āsiñcat sagarātmajān

Translation

婆祇罗多乘风驰电掣之车在前疾行；圣母恒河紧随其后，所过之处净化诸国，直至将河水洒在娑伽罗诸子被焚之灰上。

Synonyms

• रथेन: by/with a chariot
• रथेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• वायु-वेगेन: with the speed of the wind
• वायु-वेगेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक) + वेग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (वायोः वेगः); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• प्रयान्तम्: going ahead
• प्रयान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र√या (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; object of ‘अनुधावती’ (whom she follows)

• अनुधावती: following (running after)
• अनुधावती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु√धाव् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle) used verbally; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; agrees with implied ‘गङ्गा’

• देशान्: regions/lands
• देशान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• पुनन्ती: purifying
• पुनन्ती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √पू (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त used verbally; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘purifying’ (of Gaṅgā)

• निर्दग्धान्: burnt up
• निर्दग्धान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्√दह् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; adjective of ‘सगरात्मजान्’

• आसिञ्चत्: sprinkled/poured upon
• आसिञ्चत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ√सिच् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• सगर-आत्मजान्: the sons of Sagara
• सगर-आत्मजान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सगर (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सगरस्य आत्मजाः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; Accusative plural

Characters & Entities

• Sagara
• Sagarātmajāḥ (sons of Sagara)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about purifying places and ancestors with sacred water?

This verse describes how the sacred act of sprinkling water upon the burnt sons of Sagara both sanctified the lands and served as a purificatory offering for the departed, highlighting the Bhagavatam’s theme that contact with sanctifying water and dharmic rites can aid purification.

Why were Sagara’s sons sprinkled with water after being burnt to ashes?

Because they had been reduced to ashes, sprinkling water functioned as a purificatory act connected with ancestral rites, intended for their spiritual benefit and deliverance within the narrative of Sagara’s dynasty.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Perform sacred acts with sincerity—such as prayer, remembrance of the Lord, and respectful ancestral offerings—understanding that devotion and purity of intention can uplift both oneself and one’s family lineage.