Bala Kanda · Sarga 41 of 77 · 26 verses
Amshuman Finds the Ashes
When his sons do not return, Sagara sends his grandson Amshuman, son of Asamanja, brave and learned, with sword and bow: “Find your fathers and the horse-thief; honour those who deserve honour, kill those who obstruct you, and come back successful.” Amshuman follows the tunnel his uncles dug, honours the elephants of the quarters, and each one tells him he will return with the horse.
He reaches the heaps of ash where his uncles lie and cries out in grief. He sees the horse grazing nearby. Wanting to offer them water, he can find no pool, until he sees Garuda, king of birds, their maternal uncle. Garuda tells him not to grieve: their death was just, burned by the immeasurable Kapila, and ordinary water will not do. “Offer their water rites in the Ganga, eldest daughter of the Himalaya. When she floods these ashes, the sixty thousand will go to heaven. Now take the horse and complete your grandfather’s sacrifice.” Amshuman returns, tells Sagara everything, and the sacrifice is completed. But Sagara cannot find a way to bring down the Ganga; after thirty thousand years of rule he goes to heaven.
Press › to begin with verse 1.
पुत्रांश्चिरगताञ्ज्ञात्वा सगरो रघुनन्दन । नप्तारमब्रवीद् राजा दीप्यमानं स्वतेजसा ॥ १ ॥
Knowing that his sons had been gone long, King Sagara, delight of the Raghus, said to his grandson, who blazed with his own energy:
रघुनंदन, यह जानकर कि उनके पुत्रों को गए बहुत समय हो गया है, राजा सगर ने अपने तेज से दमकते पौत्र से कहा:
Commentary on the whole sarga
Amshuman Finds the Ashes 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Sagara notices his sons have been gone too long. He turns to his grandson Amshuman, son of the banished Asamanja, who “blazed with his own energy”. The good grandson steps forward.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
शूरश्च कृतविद्यश्च पूर्वैस्तुल्योऽसि तेजसा । पितॄणां गतिमन्विच्छ येन चाश्वोऽपवाहितः ॥ २ ॥
“You are brave and accomplished, and in energy equal to your forebears. Seek out the path of your fathers, and the one by whom the horse was carried off.
“तुम वीर और कुशल हो, और तेज में अपने पूर्वजों के बराबर हो। अपने पितरों (चाचाओं) का मार्ग खोजो, और उसे भी जिसने घोड़ा चुराया।
CommentaryNot scripture “In energy equal to your forebears.” Sagara sees in Amshuman the strength of his sons, but the next verses show he also has what they lacked: courtesy.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
अन्तर्भौमानि सत्त्वानि वीर्यवन्ति महान्ति च । तेषां तु प्रतिघातार्थं सासिं गृह्णीष्व कार्मुकम् ॥ ३ ॥
“There are powerful and huge beings beneath the earth. To ward them off, take your bow with your sword.
“पृथ्वी के नीचे बलवान और विशाल प्राणी हैं। उन्हें रोकने के लिए तलवार के साथ अपना धनुष लो।
CommentaryNot scripture “Take your bow with your sword.” Sagara prepares him for danger underground. A grandfather’s care.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
अभिवाद्याभिवाद्यांस्त्वं हत्वा विघ्नकरानपि । सिद्धार्थः संनिवर्तस्व मम यज्ञस्य पारगः ॥ ४ ॥
“Saluting those who should be saluted and killing those who obstruct you, come back with your purpose achieved, carrying my sacrifice through to its end.”
“जो प्रणाम के योग्य हैं उन्हें प्रणाम करते हुए और जो बाधा डालें उन्हें मारते हुए, मेरे यज्ञ को पूरा कराते हुए, अपना प्रयोजन पूरा करके लौटो।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Salute those who should be saluted, and kill those who obstruct you.” The instruction holds the whole lesson: know when to bow and when to fight. The sixty thousand only knew how to fight.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
एवमुक्तोंऽशुमान् सम्यक् सगरेण महात्मना । धनुरादाय खड्गं च जगाम लघुविक्रमः ॥ ५ ॥
So rightly addressed by great-souled Sagara, Amshuman took his bow and sword and went with light steps.
महात्मा सगर के इस प्रकार ठीक से कहने पर अंशुमान धनुष और तलवार लेकर हल्के कदमों से चल पड़े।
CommentaryNot scripture He sets out “with light steps” (laghu-vikrama ). Not stamping, not tearing the earth. The contrast with his uncles is deliberate.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
स खातं पितृभिर्मार्गमन्तर्भौमं महात्मभिः । प्रापद्यत नरश्रेष्ठ तेन राज्ञाभिचोदितः ॥ ६ ॥
He reached the underground path dug by his great-souled fathers, best of men, urged on by the king.
राजा से प्रेरित होकर वे अपने महात्मा पितरों द्वारा खोदे गए भूमिगत मार्ग पर पहुँचे, नरश्रेष्ठ।
CommentaryNot scripture He follows the tunnel his uncles dug. The path of their destruction becomes the path of his search.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
देवदानवरक्षोभिः पिशाचपतगोरगैः । पूज्यमानं महातेजा दिशागजमपश्यत ॥ ७ ॥
The radiant one saw the elephant of the quarter, honoured by gods, danavas, rakshasas, pishachas, birds and serpents.
उस तेजस्वी ने देवताओं, दानवों, राक्षसों, पिशाचों, पक्षियों और नागों से पूजित दिशा के हाथी को देखा।
CommentaryNot scripture He sees the elephant of the quarter, honoured by all beings. He sees it as holy.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
स तं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा पृष्ट्वा चैव निरामयम् । पितॄन् स परिपप्रच्छ वाजिहर्तारमेव च ॥ ८ ॥
Walking around him and asking after his health, he asked him about his fathers and about the horse-thief.
उसकी परिक्रमा करके और उसका कुशल पूछकर उन्होंने उससे अपने पितरों के बारे में और घोड़े के चोर के बारे में पूछा।
CommentaryNot scripture He walks around the elephant and asks after its health, then asks about his uncles and the thief. The same courtesy his uncles showed, but with patience and real questions.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
दिशागजस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच महामतिः । आसमञ्ज कृतार्थस्त्वं सहाश्वः शीघ्रमेष्यसि ॥ ९ ॥
Hearing this, the wise elephant of the quarter replied: “Son of Asamanja, you will succeed; you will soon come back with the horse.”
यह सुनकर बुद्धिमान दिशा-हाथी ने उत्तर दिया: “असमंज के पुत्र, तुम सफल होगे; तुम जल्दी ही घोड़ा लेकर लौटोगे।”
CommentaryNot scripture The elephant answers: “You will succeed.” Courtesy is rewarded with guidance.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वानेव दिशागजान् । यथाक्रमं यथान्यायं प्रष्टुं समुपचक्रमे ॥ १० ॥
Hearing his words, he began to question all the elephants of the quarters in order and as was proper.
उसके वचन सुनकर उन्होंने क्रम से और यथोचित रीति से सब दिशा-हाथियों से पूछना आरंभ किया।
CommentaryNot scripture He asks each elephant in turn, “in order and as was proper”. A seeker who asks humbly receives help from every direction.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
तैश्च सर्वैर्दिशापालैर्वाक्यज्ञैर्वाक्यकोविदैः । पूजितः सहयश्चैवागन्तासीत्यभिचोदितः ॥ ११ ॥
Honoured by all the guardians of the quarters, skilled in speech, he was urged on: “You will come back with the horse.”
दिशाओं के सब रक्षकों से सम्मानित, बोलने में कुशल अंशुमान को उन्होंने प्रोत्साहित किया: “तुम घोड़ा लेकर लौटोगे।”
CommentaryNot scripture All the guardians encourage him. The world itself wants him to succeed.
Scene 1 of 2 · Young Amshuman walks the dark tunnel under the earth, bowing to each great elephant of the quarters.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा जगाम लघुविक्रमः । भस्मराशीकृता यत्र पितरस्तस्य सागराः ॥ १२ ॥
Hearing their words, he went with light steps to where his fathers, the sons of Sagara, had been made heaps of ashes.
उनके वचन सुनकर वे हल्के कदमों से वहाँ गए जहाँ उनके पितर, सगर के पुत्र, राख के ढेर बना दिए गए थे।
CommentaryNot scripture He reaches the place where his uncles became heaps of ash. The scene is terrible and quiet.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
स दुःखवशमापन्नस्त्वसमञ्जसुतस्तदा । चुक्रोश परमार्तस्तु वधात् तेषां सुदुःखितः ॥ १३ ॥
The son of Asamanja, overcome by sorrow, cried out in the deepest anguish, greatly grieved by their death.
असमंज के पुत्र शोक से अभिभूत होकर, उनकी मृत्यु से अत्यंत दुखी होकर, गहरी वेदना से चिल्ला उठे।
CommentaryNot scripture Amshuman cries out in anguish. These were his family, whatever their faults. Grief for the dead does not depend on whether they were wise.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
यज्ञियं च हयं तत्र चरन्तमविदूरतः । ददर्श पुरुषव्याघ्रो दुःखशोकसमन्वितः ॥ १४ ॥
Not far off, the tiger among men, full of sorrow and grief, saw the sacrificial horse grazing.
थोड़ी ही दूर उस शोक और दुख से भरे पुरुषसिंह ने यज्ञ के घोड़े को चरते देखा।
CommentaryNot scripture Nearby, the horse grazes. The thing they died for is right there, untouched.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
स तेषां राजपुत्राणां कर्तुकामो जलक्रियाम् । स जलार्थी महातेजा न चापश्यज्जलाशयम् ॥ १५ ॥
Wishing to perform the water rites for those princes, the radiant one looked for water, but saw no pool.
उन राजकुमारों के लिए जल-तर्पण करने की इच्छा से तेजस्वी अंशुमान ने जल खोजा, पर कोई जलाशय नहीं देखा।
CommentaryNot scripture He wants to perform the water rites (salila-kriya ) for the dead, but there is no water. In the underworld, nothing to offer.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
विसार्य निपुणां दृष्टिं ततोऽपश्यत् खगाधिपम् । पितॄणां मातुलं राम सुपर्णमनिलोपमम् ॥ १६ ॥
Casting his keen eye about, he saw the king of birds, the uncle of his fathers, Rama: Suparna, swift as the wind.
राम, अपनी तीक्ष्ण दृष्टि दौड़ाते हुए उन्होंने अपने पितरों के मामा, पक्षियों के राजा, वायु जैसे वेगवान सुपर्ण (गरुड़) को देखा।
CommentaryNot scripture He sees Suparna (Garuda), the king of birds, brother of Sumati and so uncle to the sixty thousand. Family again, appearing at the moment of need.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
स चैनमब्रवीद् वाक्यं वैनतेयो महाबलः । मा शुचः पुरुषव्याघ्र वधोऽयं लोकसम्मतः ॥ १७ ॥
The mighty son of Vinata said to him: “Do not grieve, tiger among men; this death is approved by the world.
विनता के बलवान पुत्र ने उनसे कहा: “पुरुषसिंह, शोक मत करो; यह मृत्यु संसार द्वारा स्वीकृत है।
CommentaryNot scripture “Do not grieve; this death is approved by the world.” The sixty thousand brought it on themselves. Their death restored balance.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
कपिलेनाप्रमेयेण दग्धा हीमे महाबलाः । सलिलं नार्हसि प्राज्ञ दातुमेषां हि लौकिकम् ॥ १८ ॥
“These mighty ones were burned by the immeasurable Kapila. Wise one, you should not give them ordinary water.
“इन बलवानों को अपार कपिल ने जलाया है। बुद्धिमान, तुम्हें इन्हें साधारण जल नहीं देना चाहिए।
CommentaryNot scripture “They were burned by Kapila. Ordinary water will not do.” Those burned by divine fire need divine water.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
गङ्गा हिमवतो ज्येष्ठा दुहिता पुरुषर्षभ । तस्यां कुरु महाबाहो पितॄणां तु जल क्रियाम् ॥ १९ ॥
“Ganga, eldest daughter of the Himalaya, bull among men: perform the water rites for your fathers in her, mighty-armed one.
“पुरुषश्रेष्ठ, हिमालय की बड़ी पुत्री गंगा: महाबाहु, उसमें अपने पितरों का जल-तर्पण करो।
CommentaryNot scripture “Perform the rites for them in the Ganga.” Here is the reason the Ganga must come to earth: to wash the ashes of Rama’s ancestors and release their souls.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
भस्मराशीकृतानेतान् प्लावयेल्लोकपावनी । तया क्लिन्नमिदं भस्म गङ्गया लोककान्तया । षष्टिं पुत्रसहस्राणि स्वर्गलोकं गमिष्यति ॥ २० ॥
“The purifier of the worlds should flood these heaps of ash. When this ash is wetted by Ganga, beloved of the world, the sixty thousand sons will go to the world of heaven.
“लोकों को पवित्र करने वाली गंगा को इन राख के ढेरों को भिगोना चाहिए। जब यह राख संसार की प्रिय गंगा से भीगेगी, तब साठ हज़ार पुत्र स्वर्गलोक जाएँगे।
CommentaryNot scripture When the ash is wetted by the Ganga, the sixty thousand will reach heaven. This is still the belief behind immersing ashes in the Ganga today. Valmiki gives the oldest account of why.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
निर्गच्छाश्वं महाभाग संगृह्य पुरुषर्षभ । यज्ञं पैतामहं वीर निर्वर्तयितुमर्हसि ॥ २१ ॥
“Go out, fortunate one, taking the horse, bull among men. Hero, you must complete your grandfather’s sacrifice.”
“भाग्यशाली, पुरुषश्रेष्ठ, घोड़ा लेकर बाहर जाओ। वीर, तुम्हें अपने दादा का यज्ञ पूरा करना है।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Take the horse and complete your grandfather’s sacrifice.” Duty first: the rite must be finished.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
सुपर्णवचनं श्रुत्वा सोंऽशुमानतिवीर्यवान् । त्वरितं हयमादाय पुनरायान्महातपाः ॥ २२ ॥
Hearing Suparna’s words, the most valiant Amshuman, of great austerity, quickly took the horse and came back.
सुपर्ण के वचन सुनकर अत्यंत पराक्रमी, महातपस्वी अंशुमान जल्दी से घोड़ा लेकर लौट आए।
CommentaryNot scripture Amshuman quickly takes the horse and returns. Obedient, efficient, humble.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
ततो राजानमासाद्य दीक्षितं रघुनन्दन । न्यवेदयद् यथावृत्तं सुपर्णवचनं तथा ॥ २३ ॥
Then, coming to the consecrated king, delight of the Raghus, he told him all that had happened, and Suparna’s words too.
फिर, रघुनंदन, दीक्षित राजा के पास आकर उन्होंने जो कुछ हुआ था, और सुपर्ण के वचन भी, सब बताए।
CommentaryNot scripture He tells Sagara everything, including Garuda’s words. The grandfather now knows the fate of his sons and the way to save them.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
तच्छ्रुत्वा घोरसंकाशं वाक्यमंशुमतो नृपः । यज्ञं निर्वर्तयामास यथाकल्पं यथाविधि ॥ २४ ॥
Hearing Amshuman’s dreadful report, the king completed the sacrifice as prescribed, by the rule.
अंशुमान का भयानक समाचार सुनकर राजा ने विधि के अनुसार, नियम से यज्ञ पूरा किया।
CommentaryNot scripture Sagara completes the sacrifice as prescribed. Even with his heart broken, he finishes his duty.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
स्वपुरं त्वगमच्छ्रीमानिष्टयज्ञो महीपतिः । गङ्गायाश्चागमे राजा निश्चयं नाध्यगच्छत ॥ २५ ॥
Having performed the sacrifice, the glorious lord of the earth went to his own city. But the king could reach no decision about how the Ganga might come.
यज्ञ करके यशस्वी पृथ्वीपति अपनी नगरी लौट आए। पर राजा गंगा के आने के बारे में कोई निश्चय नहीं कर सके।
CommentaryNot scripture He returns to the city, but cannot decide how to bring the Ganga down. The problem is too great for one lifetime.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
अगत्वा निश्चयं राजा कालेन महता महान् । त्रिंशद्वर्षसहस्राणि राज्यं कृत्वा दिवं गतः ॥ २६ ॥
Without reaching a decision, the great king, after a long time, having ruled for thirty thousand years, went to heaven.
बिना निश्चय किए महाराज बहुत समय बाद, तीस हज़ार वर्ष राज्य करके, स्वर्ग चले गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Sagara rules thirty thousand years and dies without a solution. The task passes to the next generation. In this story, great works take many lifetimes, and each generation carries the hope forward.
Scene 2 of 2 · Beside the heaps of ash Amshuman weeps; Garuda tells him only the Ganga’s water can free his uncles’ souls.
