Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 1

गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना

Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

कालधर्मं गते राम सगरे प्रकृतीजना:।राजानं रोचयामासुरंशुमन्तं सुधार्मिकम्।।1.42.1।।

Transliteration

kāladharmaṃ gate rāma sagare prakṛtījanāḥ |

rājānaṃ rocayāmāsur aṃśumantaṃ sudhārmikam ||

Translation

罗摩啊，当萨伽罗遵循时法而逝（归于死亡）时，大臣与百姓一致赞许，拥立至为正法的阿努舒曼为王。

Word by Word

• कालधर्मम्: the law of time (death)
• कालधर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल + धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कालस्य धर्मः) = मृत्युः

• गते: when (he) had passed away
• गते: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute): ‘when (he) had gone’

• राम: O Rāma
• राम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सगरे: when Sagara (was gone)
• सगरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सगर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (with गते)

• प्रकृतीजनाः: ministers and subjects
• प्रकृतीजनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रकृति + जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (प्रकृतीनां जनाः) = अमात्य-प्रजाः

• राजानम्: as king / the king
• राजानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• रोचयामासुः: approved/accepted
• रोचयामासुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रुच् (धातु) (णिच् causative)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect; periphrastic), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; णिच् ‘caused to be acceptable/approved’

• अंशुमन्तम्: Aṃśumān
• अंशुमन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अंशुमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सुधार्मिकम्: highly righteous
• सुधार्मिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + धार्मिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (अंशुमन्तम्)

Context

"O Rama! when Sagara died, the subjects installed the highly virtuous Anshuman as king.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sagara
• Anuśumān (Aṃśumat)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma: orderly and legitimate succession ensures stability; a righteous ruler is chosen with the consent of the polity, reflecting dharmic governance.

What is the narrative situation?

After King Sagara’s death, the state—ministers and subjects—recognizes Anuśumān’s virtue and establishes him as king.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Anuśumān’s righteousness (sudhārmikatva), making him fit to uphold the kingdom’s moral and administrative order.