Bala Kanda · Sarga 44 of 77 · 23 verses
Bhagirathi: The Promise Fulfilled
When the Ganga’s water has flooded the ashes, Brahma tells Bhagiratha: the sixty thousand sons of Sagara are saved and have gone to heaven like gods, where they will stay as long as the ocean’s water lasts. The Ganga will be his eldest daughter and will be known in the world by the name he gave her: Bhagirathi, and also Tripathaga, because she flows on three paths. Brahma tells him to perform the water rites and so fulfil the vow that Sagara, Amshuman and Dilipa could not fulfil despite their greatness. Bhagiratha performs the rites, returns purified to his city and rules in prosperity, and his people rejoice.
Vishvamitra closes the story: “This is the full account of the Ganga, Rama. Twilight is passing. Whoever tells this story to brahmanas, kshatriyas and others pleases the ancestors and the gods; whoever hears the auspicious descent of the Ganga gains all desires, loses all sins, and grows in life and fame.”
Press › to begin with verse 1.
स गत्वा सागरं राजा गङ्गायानुगतस्तदा । प्रविवेश तलं भूमेर्यत्र ते भस्मसात्कृताः ॥ १ ॥
The king, followed by the Ganga, reached the ocean and entered the depths of the earth, where they had been reduced to ashes.
गंगा को पीछे लिए राजा समुद्र तक पहुँचे और पृथ्वी की गहराइयों में प्रवेश किया, जहाँ वे राख बनाए गए थे।
Commentary on the whole sarga
Bhagirathi: The Promise Fulfilled 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Bhagiratha reaches the ocean and goes down into the depths where the ashes lie. He accompanies the river all the way. He does not send the Ganga alone; he leads her to the very end.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
भस्मन्यथाप्लुते राम गङ्गायाः सलिलेन वै । सर्वलोकप्रभुर्ब्रह्मा राजानमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ २ ॥
When the ashes had been flooded with the water of the Ganga, Rama, Brahma, lord of all the worlds, said to the king:
राम, जब राख गंगा के जल से भीग गई, तब सब लोकों के स्वामी ब्रह्मा ने राजा से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture The ashes are flooded. Brahma himself comes to speak to the king. The creator who set the task now witnesses its completion.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
तारिता नरशार्दूल दिवं याताश्च देववत् । षष्टिः पुत्रसहस्राणि सगरस्य महात्मनः ॥ ३ ॥
“Tiger among men, the sixty thousand sons of great-souled Sagara have been saved and have gone to heaven like gods.
“पुरुषसिंह, महात्मा सगर के साठ हज़ार पुत्रों का उद्धार हो गया है और वे देवताओं की तरह स्वर्ग चले गए हैं।
CommentaryNot scripture “The sixty thousand sons have been saved and gone to heaven like gods.” The arrogant sons who tore up the earth are forgiven and released. Grace reaches even those who did wrong.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
सागरस्य जलं लोके यावत्स्थास्यति पार्थिव । सगरस्यात्मजाः सर्वे दिवि स्थास्यन्ति देववत् ॥ ४ ॥
“As long as the water of the ocean remains in the world, king, all the sons of Sagara will remain in heaven like gods.
“राजन, जब तक संसार में समुद्र का जल रहेगा, तब तक सगर के सब पुत्र देवताओं की तरह स्वर्ग में रहेंगे।
CommentaryNot scripture “As long as the ocean’s water remains.” Fittingly, the ocean (sagara ), named after Sagara, becomes the measure of his sons’ time in heaven.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
इयं च दुहिता ज्येष्ठा तव गङ्गा भविष्यति । त्वत्कृतेन च नाम्नाथ लोके स्थास्यति विश्रुता ॥ ५ ॥
“And this Ganga will be your eldest daughter, and she will stand renowned in the world by the name given by you:
“और यह गंगा तुम्हारी बड़ी पुत्री होगी, और तुम्हारे दिए नाम से संसार में प्रसिद्ध होकर रहेगी:
CommentaryNot scripture “The Ganga will be your eldest daughter.” Bhagiratha, who longed for a child, is given the holiest river as his daughter. The river takes his name.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
गङ्गा त्रिपथगा नाम दिव्या भागीरथीति च । त्रीन् पथो भावयन्तीति तस्मात् त्रिपथगा स्मृता ॥ ६ ॥
“Ganga, the divine Tripathaga and Bhagirathi. Because she makes three paths holy, she is remembered as Tripathaga.
“गंगा, दिव्य त्रिपथगा और भागीरथी। क्योंकि वह तीनों मार्गों को पवित्र करती है, इसलिए वह त्रिपथगा कहलाती है।
CommentaryNot scripture Three names: Ganga; Tripathaga, “she who goes by three paths” (heaven, earth, underworld); and Bhagirathi, “Bhagiratha’s daughter”. Rama’s question in sarga 35 is now fully answered.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
पितामहानां सर्वेषां त्वमत्र मनुजाधिप । कुरुष्व सलिलं राजन् प्रतिज्ञामपवर्जय ॥ ७ ॥
“Here, lord of men, perform the water rites for all your grandfathers, king, and discharge your vow.
“मनुष्यों के स्वामी, यहाँ अपने सब पितामहों का जल-तर्पण करो, राजन, और अपनी प्रतिज्ञा पूरी करो।
CommentaryNot scripture “Perform the water rites and discharge your vow.” Brahma tells him to finish the rite himself. The final act is his.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
पूर्वकेण हि ते राजंस्तेनातियशसा तदा । धर्मिणां प्रवरेणाथ नैष प्राप्तो मनोरथः ॥ ८ ॥
“For this wish was not attained by your forefather, king, though he was most glorious and foremost among the righteous;
“क्योंकि राजन, तुम्हारे पूर्वज यह इच्छा पूरी नहीं कर सके, यद्यपि वे अत्यंत यशस्वी और धर्मात्माओं में अग्रणी थे;
CommentaryNot scripture Brahma names those who tried and failed. First Sagara, “most glorious, foremost among the righteous”. Failure does not reduce their greatness.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
तथैवांशुमता तात लोकेऽप्रतिमतेजसा । गङ्गां प्रार्थयता नेतुं प्रतिज्ञा नापवर्जिता ॥ ९ ॥
“nor was the vow discharged by Amshuman, child, of matchless splendour in the world, though he begged to bring the Ganga;
“न ही, वत्स, संसार में अनुपम तेज वाले अंशुमान यह प्रतिज्ञा पूरी कर सके, यद्यपि उन्होंने गंगा को लाने की प्रार्थना की थी;
CommentaryNot scripture Then Amshuman, who begged for the Ganga all his life. His effort was not wasted; it was part of the path.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
राजर्षिणा गुणवता महर्षिसमतेजसा । मत्तुल्यतपसा चैव क्षत्रधर्मस्थितेन च ॥ १० ॥
दिलीपेन महाभाग तव पित्रातितेजसा । पुनर्न शकिता नेतुं गङ्गां प्रार्थयतानघ ॥ ११ ॥
“nor could she be brought, fortunate sinless one, by your most radiant father Dilipa, the virtuous royal sage, with the splendour of a great sage, equal to me in austerity and steadfast in the dharma of the kshatriya, though he begged for her again.
“न ही, भाग्यशाली निष्पाप, तुम्हारे अत्यंत तेजस्वी पिता दिलीप उसे ला सके, जो गुणवान राजर्षि, महर्षि जैसे तेजस्वी, तप में मेरे समान और क्षत्रिय धर्म में दृढ़ थे, यद्यपि उन्होंने फिर उसके लिए प्रार्थना की थी।
CommentaryNot scripture Then Dilipa, “equal to me in austerity”. Brahma honours each ancestor. The success of one generation stands on the efforts of those before.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
सा त्वया समतिक्रान्ता प्रतिज्ञा पुरुषर्षभ । प्राप्तोऽसि परमं लोके यशः परमसम्मतम् ॥ १२ ॥
“That vow, bull among men, you have fulfilled. You have attained in the world the highest, most honoured fame.
“पुरुषश्रेष्ठ, वह प्रतिज्ञा तुमने पूरी की है। तुमने संसार में सबसे ऊँचा, सबसे सम्मानित यश पाया है।
CommentaryNot scripture “That vow you have fulfilled.” The highest fame in the world. Bhagiratha’s name lives on in the river and in the Hindi phrase for tireless effort.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
तच्च गङ्गावतरणं त्वया कृतमरिंदम । अनेन च भवान् प्राप्तो धर्मस्यायतनं महत् ॥ १३ ॥
“And this descent of the Ganga was accomplished by you, subduer of enemies. By it you have reached a great abode of dharma.
“और शत्रुओं का दमन करने वाले, गंगा का यह अवतरण तुमने पूरा किया। इससे तुम धर्म के एक महान धाम को पहुँचे हो।
CommentaryNot scripture “You have reached a great abode of dharma.” The work was not only for his family; it was an act of righteousness for the whole world.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
प्लावयस्व त्वमात्मानं नरोत्तम सदोचिते । सलिले पुरुषश्रेष्ठ शुचिः पुण्यफलो भव ॥ १४ ॥
“Bathe yourself, best of men, in this water always fitting for you, best of men; be pure and gain the fruit of merit.
“पुरुषश्रेष्ठ, इस जल में, जो सदा तुम्हारे योग्य है, स्नान करो; पवित्र हो और पुण्य का फल पाओ।
CommentaryNot scripture “Bathe in this water, always fitting for you.” Bhagiratha may bathe in the river he brought down. A father bathing in his daughter’s waters.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
पितामहानां सर्वेषां कुरुष्व सलिलक्रियाम् । स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि स्वं लोकं गम्यतां नृप ॥ १५ ॥
“Perform the water rites for all your grandfathers. Farewell; I will go to my own world. Go, king.”
“अपने सब पितामहों का जल-तर्पण करो। विदा; मैं अपने लोक को जाऊँगा। जाओ, राजन।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Perform the rites. Farewell.” Brahma departs. His blessings are given; the rest is the king’s.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा देवेशः सर्वलोकपितामहः । यथागतं तथागच्छद् देवलोकं महायशाः ॥ १६ ॥
Having said this, the lord of the gods, Grandsire of all the worlds, greatly renowned, went to the world of the gods as he had come.
यह कहकर देवताओं के स्वामी, सब लोकों के पितामह, महायशस्वी ब्रह्मा जैसे आए थे वैसे ही देवलोक चले गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Brahma returns to the world of the gods. The divine witness leaves the human to his duties.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth Brahma blesses Bhagiratha: the Ganga will be his daughter, Bhagirathi.
भगीरथस्तु राजर्षिः कृत्वा सलिलमुत्तमम् । यथाक्रमं यथान्यायं सागराणां महायशाः ॥ १७ ॥
कृतोदकः शुची राजा स्वपुरं प्रविवेश ह । समृद्धार्थो नरश्रेष्ठ स्वराज्यं प्रशशास ह ॥ १८ ॥
The royal sage Bhagiratha, greatly renowned, having performed the supreme water rites for the sons of Sagara in order and as was proper, purified, his rites done, entered his own city. His purpose achieved, best of men, he ruled his own kingdom.
महायशस्वी राजर्षि भगीरथ ने सगर के पुत्रों का क्रम से और यथोचित रीति से परम जल-तर्पण करके, पवित्र होकर, अपने कर्म पूरे करके अपनी नगरी में प्रवेश किया। अपना प्रयोजन पूरा करके, पुरुषश्रेष्ठ, उन्होंने अपना राज्य चलाया।
CommentaryNot scripture Bhagiratha performs the water rites for his ancestors “in order and as was proper”. Then he goes home and rules. A man who spent his life on one great task now lives an ordinary royal life. That is its own reward.
Scene 2 of 2 · Bhagiratha offers water to his ancestors on the riverbank at dusk, his long vow fulfilled.
प्रमुमोद च लोकस्तं नृपमासाद्य राघव । नष्टशोकः समृद्धार्थो बभूव विगतज्वरः ॥ १९ ॥
And the people rejoiced, having gained him as king, Raghava; their grief gone and their wealth increased, they were free of fever.
और राघव, उन्हें राजा पाकर प्रजा आनंदित हुई; उनका शोक दूर हो गया, धन बढ़ा, और वे चिंता से मुक्त हो गए।
CommentaryNot scripture The people rejoice. “Free of fever” (vijvara ): the word used for every completed great work in this poem. The kingdom shares the king’s peace.
Scene 2 of 2 · Bhagiratha offers water to his ancestors on the riverbank at dusk, his long vow fulfilled.
एष ते राम गंगाया विस्तरोऽभिहितो मया । स्वस्ति प्राप्नुहि भद्रं ते संध्याकालोऽतिवर्तते ॥ २० ॥
“This, Rama, is the full account of the Ganga that I have told you. May it go well with you; bless you. The time of twilight is passing.
“राम, यह गंगा का पूरा वृत्तांत है जो मैंने तुम्हें सुनाया। तुम्हारा मंगल हो; कल्याण हो। संध्या का समय बीत रहा है।
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra ends the story: “the time of twilight is passing”. As always, the story ends at nightfall, beside the river whose story it is.
Scene 2 of 2 · Bhagiratha offers water to his ancestors on the riverbank at dusk, his long vow fulfilled.
धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं पुत्र्यं स्वर्ग्यमथापि च । यः श्रावयति विप्रेषु क्षत्रियेष्वितरेषु च ॥ २१ ॥
प्रीयन्ते पितरस्तस्य प्रीयन्ते दैवतानि च । इदमाख्यानमायुष्यं गंगावतरणं शुभम् ॥ २२ ॥
यः शृणोति च काकुत्स्थ सर्वान् कामानवाप्नुयात् । सर्वे पापाः प्रणश्यन्ति आयुः कीर्तिश्च वर्धते ॥ २३ ॥
“This tale is wealth-giving, fame-giving, life-giving, son-giving and heaven-giving. For whoever recites it among brahmanas, kshatriyas and others, his ancestors are pleased and the gods are pleased. Whoever hears this auspicious, life-giving tale of the descent of the Ganga, Kakutstha, will gain all his desires; all sins perish, and life and fame increase.”
“यह कथा धन देने वाली, यश देने वाली, आयु देने वाली, पुत्र देने वाली और स्वर्ग देने वाली है। जो इसे ब्राह्मणों, क्षत्रियों और दूसरों के बीच सुनाता है, उसके पितर प्रसन्न होते हैं और देवता प्रसन्न होते हैं। काकुत्स्थ, जो गंगा के अवतरण की यह मंगलमय, आयु देने वाली कथा सुनता है, उसकी सब इच्छाएँ पूरी होती हैं; सब पाप नष्ट होते हैं, और आयु तथा यश बढ़ते हैं।”
CommentaryNot scripture The phala-shruti , the blessing: this story gives wealth, fame, long life, sons and heaven. Those who tell it please their ancestors and the gods. This is why the descent of the Ganga is recited at funerals and memorial rites. Rama has just heard the story of how his own family saved its ancestors.
Scene 2 of 2 · Bhagiratha offers water to his ancestors on the riverbank at dusk, his long vow fulfilled.
