Introduction
Bhageeratha’s effort for bringing Ganga to earth is fulfilled. Amshuman and his son Dileepa could not make any effort to bring the divine river to earth. But Bhageeratha, the son of Dileepa, staunch at heart tries earnestly to get her onto earth. Brahma agreeing for this descent of Ganga designates lord Shiva to bear the burden of the onrush of Ganga, because the earth cannot sustain it.
Verse 1
कालधर्मं गते राम सगरे प्रकृतीजनाः |
राजानं रोचयामासुरंशुमन्तं सुधार्मिकम् || १-४२-१
“When King Sagara passed away owing to the irrefutable virtue of Time, the ministers and subjects of that kingdom are predisposed towards the highly honourable Amshuman to become their king and they enthroned him accordingly.” Thus Vishvamitra continued narration about the predecessors of Rama. [1-42-1]
1. raama = oh Rama; sagare kaaladharmam gate = gone – on passing away by Time’s virtue of Sagara; prakR^itiijanaaH = ministers and subjects of that kingdom; sudhaarmikam amshumantam = highly honourable one, Amshuman is; raajaanam rocayaamaasuH = predisposed to – and enthroned as king.
Verse 2
स राजा सुमहानासीदंशुमान् रघुनंदन |
तस्य पुत्रो महानासीद्दिलीप इति विश्रुतः || १-४२-२
“He that Amshuman turned out to be a very great king, and oh, Rama of Raghu’s delight, he begot a marvellous son who is renowned as Dileepa. [1-42-2]
2. raghunandana = oh, Raghu’s delight; saH amshumaan = he, that Amshuman; sumahaan raajaa aasiit = he was a very exceptional king; tasya = to him; diliipa iti vishrutaH = renowned as Dileepa; mahaan putraH aasiit = has become – took birth as marvellous son.
Verse 3
तस्मै राज्यं समादिश्य दिलीपे रघुनंदन |
हिमवच्छिखरे रम्ये तपस्तेपे सुदारुणम् || १-४२-३
Assigning the kingdom to Dileepa, oh, Rama of Raghu’s dynasty, Amshuman undertook very stern ascesis on a pleasant peak of Himalayas desiring the descent of River Ganga to earth. [1-42-3]
3. raghunandana = oh Rama, Raghu’s descendent; tasmai diliipe = in him, to Dileepa; raajyam samaadishya = completely ordering – assigning kingdom ; ramye himavat shikhare = pleasant, peak of Himalayas; sudaaruNam tapaH tepe = [Amshuman] undertook very stern ascesis.
Verse 4
द्वात्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि वर्षाणि सुमहायशाः |
तपोवनगतो राजा स्वर्गं लेभे तपोधनः || १-४२-४
On practising ascesis in ascetic-woods for thirty-two thousand years that highly renowned king Amshuman achieved heaven as he acquired only the wealth of practising the ascesis. [1-42-4]
4. sumahaayashaaH = of very great renown; raajaa = king – Amshuman; dvaatrimshat ca sahasraaNi varSaaNi = thirty-two thousand years; tapovanagataH = on going to ascetic woods – practising ascesis; tapodhanaH = ascesis as asset – one whose wealth is practising ascesis, but not its reward; svargam lebhe = achieved heaven.
Verse 5
दिलीपस्तु महातेजाः श्रुत्वा पैतामहं वधम् |
दुःखोपहतया बुद्ध्या निश्चयं नाध्यगच्छत || १-४२-५
The great resplendent Dileepa on hearing the elimination of his grandfathers, the sixty thousand sons of Sagara at the hand of sage Kapila, and with a mind that is marred by the plight of his father Amshuman in absolving the souls of Sagara’s sons, he that Dileepa could not arrive at any decision concerning the descent of Ganga. [1-42-5]
5. mahaatejaaH diliipaH tu = great resplendent, Dileepa, on his part; paitaamaham vadham shrutvaa = on hearing grandfather’s [sixty thousand sons of Sagara] elimination; duhkhopahatayaa buddhyaa = with a mind marred by agony – at the plight of his father Amshuman; nishcayam na adhyagacChata = not arrived at decision.
Verse 6
कथं गंगावतरणं कथं तेषां जलक्रिया |
तारयेयं कथं चैतानिति चिंतापरोऽभवत् || १-४२-६
Dileepa became worried as to how River Ganga is to be alighted onto earth from heaven, how water-oblations are to be offered for the souls of Sagara’s sons, and how to cross them, the souls, over this mortal world. [1-42-6]
6. gangaavataraNam katham = how – to make alighting of Ganga possible; teSaam jalakriyaa = water oblation to them [grandfathers, offering] ; katham = how – to offer; etaan katham taarayeyam ca = how to cross over them [them from this mortal bindings of heaps of ashes,] also; iti = this way; cintaaparaH = given to worry; abhavat = he [Dileepa] became.
Verse 7
तस्य चिंतयतो नित्यं धर्मेण विदितात्मनः |
पुत्रो भगीरथो नाम जज्ञे परमधार्मिकः ||१-४२-७
To him who is self-mortified and who is always thinking righteously about the alight of Ganga onto earth, to such a Dileepa a most-virtuous son is born who is renowned by his name Bhageeratha. [1-42-7]
7. viditaatmanaH = knower of soul [self-mortified one]; dharmeNa = righteously; nityam cintayataH = always, who is thinking [about alighting of Ganga to earth]; tasya = to him; bhagiirathaH naama = Bhageeratha, known as; paramadhaarmikaH putraH jaGYe = most virtuous, son, is born.
Verse 8
दिलीपस्तु महातेजा यज्ञैर्बहुभिरिष्टवान् |
त्रिंशद्वर्षसहस्राणि राजा राज्यमकारयत् || १-४२-८
That great-resplendent king Dileepa on his part performed numerous Vedic-rituals, and he ruled the kingdom for thirty thousand years – to the delight of each of his subjects, but could not find a way to fetch Ganga. [1-42-8]
8. mahaatejaaH = great resplendent; diliipaH tu = Dileepa, on his part; bahubhiH yaGYaiH iSTavaan = performed numerous Vedic rituals; raajaa = king; trimshat varSasahasraaNi = thirty thousand years; raajyam akaarayat = ruled kingdom.
Verse 9
अगत्वा निश्चयं राजा तेषामुद्धरणं प्रति |
व्याधिना नरशार्दूल कालधर्ममुपेयिवान् || १-४२-९
Oh, tigerly-man Rama, that king Dileepa by not attaining any choice towards the uplifting the souls of his grandparents to heaven by bringing Ganga to earth, he took to illness, and he attained the ultimate virtue of Time, namely the demise. [1-42-9]
9. narashaarduula = oh, tigerly man – Rama; raajaa = king; teSaam uddharaNam prati = towards – regarding their up lifting [to heaven] ; nishcayam = decision – choice; agatvaa = not attaining; vyaadhinaa = with illness; kaaladharmam upeyivaan = attained – expired virtue of Time.
Verse 10
इन्द्रलोकं गतो राजा स्वार्जितेनैव कर्मणा |
राज्ये भगीरथं पुत्रमभिषिच्य नरर्षभः || १-४२-१०
That best one among men, namely king Dileepa, on anointing his son Bhageeratha in the kingdom went to the abode of Indra, namely the heaven, only by his self-acquired merits of deeds. [1-42-10]
10. nararSabhaH raajaa = best one among men, that king – Dileepa; putram bhagiiratham raajye abhiSicya = on anointing son Bhageeratha in kingdom; svaarjitena karmaNaa eva = self acquired merits of deeds, only; indralokam gataH = went to Indra’s abode.
Verse 11
भगीरथस्तु राजर्षिर्धार्मिको रघुनंदन |
अनपत्यो महाराजः प्रजाकामः स च प्रजाः || १-४२-११
Oh, Rama, the legatee of Raghu, but on his part that self-righteous and kingly-sage Bhageeratha is childless, and that great king longed-for offspring. [1-42-11]
11. raghunandana = oh Rama, Raghu’s descendent; dhaarmikaH = self-righteous one; raajarSiH = kingly sage; bhagiirathaH tu = Bhageeratha, on his part; anapatyaH = without children; saH mahaaraajaH prajaakaamaH = he, that great-king, longed-for offspring ; prajaaH ca = subjects, and – kingdom: he placed in the hands of ministers – these two words are to go into the meaning of next verse.
Verse 12 & 13a
मंत्रिष्वाधाय तद्राज्यं गङ्गावतरणे रतः|
तपो दीर्घं समातिष्ठद्गोकर्णे रघुनंदन || १-४२-१२
ऊर्ध्वबाहुः पंचतपा मासाहारो जितेन्द्रियः |
Interested in the alighting of River Ganga on earth, oh, Rama, the descendent of Raghu, king Bhageeratha delegated his kingdom to the custody of his ministers and people and firmed up himself in sustained asceticism on Mt. Gokarna in Himalayas, and he practise ascesis standing amid five-fires, upraising his hands, with a monthly sustenance and with his sense conquered. [1-42-12, 13a]
12, 13a. raghunandana = oh Rama, Raghu’s descendent; [saH = he – Bhageeratha]; gangaavataraNe rataH = interested in alighting Ganga ; tat rajyam = that, kingdom; [prajaaH ca = people, and – from above verse]; mantriShu aadhaaya = in ministers, on delegating; uurdhvabaahuH = with upraised hands; pancatapaaH = [standing amid] five fires; maasaahaaraH = [once in a] month with sustenance; jitendriyaH = with conquered senses; gokarNe = at Gokarna [in Himalayas]; diirgham tapaH = long-time – sustained, ascesis; samaatiSThat = sat tight – firmed up in.
Verse 13 & 14
तस्य वर्षसहस्राणि घोरे तपसि तिष्ठतः || १-४२-१३
अतीतानि महाबहो तस्य राज्ञो महात्मनः |
सुप्रीतो भगवान्ब्रह्मा प्रजानां पतिरीश्वरः || १-४२-१४
Thousands of years have rolled by while Bhageeratha stood practising his severe ascesis, oh, dextrous Rama, and then the lord and master of all beings, namely god Brahma, is well pleased with that great-souled king’s ascesis. [1-42-13b, 14]
13, 14. mahaabaaho = oh dextrous Rama; tasya ghore tapasi tiSThataH = while sat tight – firmly practising in his severe ascesis; varSasahasraaNi atiitaani = thousand years, lapsed away; prajaanaam patiH iishvaraH = master and lord to all beings; bhagavaan brahmaa = god, Brahma; tasya mahaatmanaH raaGYaH = of his, great-souled king – in his respect; supriitaH = well pleased.
Verse 15
ततः सुरगणैः सार्धमुपागम्य पितामहः |
भगीरथं महात्मानं तप्यमानमथाब्रवीत् || १-४२-१५
Forefather Brahma then arrived along with assemblages of gods, and spoke this way to the great-souled Bhageeratha who is deep in the practise of ascesis. [1-42-15]
15. tataH = then; pitaamahaH = Forefather – Brahma; suragaNaiH saardham = along with assemblages of gods; upaagamya = on arriving; tapyamaanam = who is in ascesis – deep in the practise of ascesis; mahaatmaanam bhagiiratham = great-souled one, to Bhageeratha; atha abraviit = thus, spoke.
Verse 16
भगीरथ महाराग प्रीतस्तेऽहं जनाधिप |
तपसा च सुतप्तेन वरं वरय सुव्रत || १-४२-१६
Oh, great king Bhageeratha, oh, lord of the people, I am delighted with the perfectly conducted ascesis of yours, hence oh, truly committed one, you may beseech for a boon. [1-42-16]
16. mahaaraaga = oh great king; janaadhipa = oh people’s lord; bhagiiratha = oh Bhageeratha; te = your; sutaptena tapasaa = perfectly conducted, with ascesis; aham priitaH = I am, delighted; suvrata = oh truly committed one; varam varaya = you beseech boon.
Verse 17
तमुवाच महातेजाः सर्वलोकपितामहम् |
भगीरथो महाबाहुः कृतांजलिपुटः स्थितः || १-४२-१७
That great resplendent and highly fortunate king Bhageeratha then remaining with suppliantly adjoined palm fold spoke to him who is the Forefather of all worlds, namely Brahma. [1-42-17]
17. mahaatejaaH = great-resplendent one; mahaabaahuH = highly fortunate one; bhagiirathaH = Bhageeratha; kR^itaanjalipuTaH sthitaH = remaining making adjoined-palms together; tam sarvalokapitaamaham = him, Forefather to all worlds; uvaaca = spoke to.
Verse 18
यदि मे भगवान्प्रीतो यद्यस्ति तपसः फलम् |
सगरस्यात्मजाः सर्वे मत्तः सलिलस्याप्नुयुः || १-४२-१८
Oh, god, if you are satisfied with my ascesis, and if there is any fruition to the ascesis of mine, let all the sons of Sagara get water oblations through me. [1-42-18]
18. bhagavaan = oh god; me = in my respect; priitaH yadi = if you are satisfied; tapasaH phalam asti yadi = if fruit of ascesis is there; sagarasya aatmajaaH sarve = all Sagara’s, sons; mattaH = from me; salilam aapnuyuH = let them get water.
Verse 19
गङ्गायाः सलिलक्लिन्ने भस्मन्येषां महात्मनाम् |
स्वर्गं गच्छेयुरत्यन्तं सर्वे मे प्रपितामहाः || १-४२-१९
While the ashes of these great souls are drenched with the waters of Ganga, let all of those great-grandfathers of mine depart to heaven, eternally. [1-42-19]
19. eSaam mahaatmanaam bhasmani = these, ashes of great-souls; gangaayaaH salilaklinne = while being drenched by water of Ganga ; me sarve = my, all; prapitaamahaaH = great grandfathers; atyantam svargam gacCheyuH = may depart to eternal heaven.
Verse 20
देव याचे ह संतत्यै नावसीदेत्कुलं च नः |
इक्ष्वाकूणां कुले देव एष मेऽस्तु वरः परः || १-४२-२०
Oh, god, I indeed pray for offspring in our Ikshvaku dynasty, let not our dynasty dwindle as I am issueless, and oh, god, let this be the other boon to me. [1-42-20]
20. deva = oh god; ikSvaakuuNaam kule = in Ikshvaku’s dynasty; santatyai yaace ha = I pray for offspring, indeed; naH kulam na avasiidet ca = not to dwindle our dynasty, also; deva = oh god; eSaH me paraH varaH astu = let this be other boon to mine.
Verse 21
उक्तवाक्यं तु राजानं सर्वलोकपितामहः |
प्रत्युवाच शुभां वाणीं मधुरं मधुराक्षराम् || १-४२-२१
The Forefather of all the worlds, Brahma, then replied the king who has spoken in that way, in an auspicious tongue that is sweet-sounding and sweetly worded, as well. [1-42-21]
21. sarvalokapitaamahaH = Forefather of all worlds; uktavaakyam = one who has said such sentence – requested such boon – Bhageeratha; raajaanam = to king; shubhaam madhuram madhuraakSaraam = auspicious sweet and sweetly worded; vaaNiim = in tongue; prati uvaaca = in rely, spoke – replied.
Verse 22
मनोरथो महानेष भगीरथ महारथ |
एवं भवतु भद्रं ते इक्ष्वाकुकुलवर्धन || १-४२-२२
Oh, top-speeded chariot-rider Bhageeratha, this aspiration of yours is sublime, and oh, the furtherer of Ikshvaku dynasty, so be it, let safeness betide you. [1-42-22]
22. mahaaratha bhagiiratha = oh top-speeded chariot-rider, Bhageeratha; eSaH manorathaH mahaan = this, aspiration, is sublime; ikSvaakukulavardhana = oh furtherer of Ikshvaku’s dynasty ; evam bhavatu = so it be; bhadram te = safeness, betide you.
Verse 23
इयं हैमवती ज्येष्ठा गंगा हिमवतः सुता |
तां वै धारयितुं राजन् हरस्तत्र नियुज्यताम् || १-४२-२३
This Ganga is the one with snow-broth, the elder daughter of Himavanta, and oh, king Bhageeratha, god Shiva alone is capable to sustain her force in the course of her alighting onto earth, and in fact, he is to be commissioned for that purpose. [1-42-23]
23. raajan = oh king; haimavatii = born from Himavanta , or one having snow-broth; iyam gangaa = this, Ganga; himavataH jyeSThaa sutaa = Himavanta’s, elder, daughter; taam dhaarayitum = to sustain her; [shaktaH = capable one is]; haraH = god Shiva; tatra = there, therefor – in that matter of sustaining Ganga; niyujyataam vai = is to be designated – commissioned, in fact.
Verse 25
तमेवमुक्त्वा राजानं गङ्गां चाभाष्य लोककृत् |
जगाम त्रिदिवं देवैः सह सर्वैर्मरुद्गणैः || १-४२-२५
“Speaking this way to the king Bhageeratha and informally greeting Ganga also, that Creator of Worlds, Brahma, left for heaven along with all the groups of gods and Wind-gods.” Thus Vishvamitra continued narration about the arrival of River Ganga to earth. [1-42-25]
25. lokakR^it = creator of worlds – Brahma; tam raajaanam = to him, to king; evam uktvaa = this way, on speaking; gangaam ca aabhaaSya = on speaking – having a little talk, saying hello to Ganga, also ; saha sarvaiH devaiH marut gaNaiH = with, all, gods, with groups of Wind-gods; tridivam jagaama = proceeded to heaven.
Verse 24
गंगायाः पतनं राजन् पृथिवी न सहिष्यते |
तां वै धारयितुं राजन् नान्यं पश्यामि शूलिनः || १-४२-२४
‘Oh, king Bhageeratha, the earth cannot endure the downfall of Ganga and to sustain Ganga, oh, king, indeed I do not behold none other than the Trident-wielder, god Shiva.’ Thus Brahma spoke to Bhageeratha. [1-42-24]
24. raajan = oh king; gangaayaaH patanam = Ganga’s, downfall; pR^ithivii na sahiSyate = earth, can not, endure; taam dhaarayitum = to sustain her [Ganga] ; raajan oh king; shuulinaH = Trident wielder – god Shiva; anyam = any other – other than him; na pashyaami vai = not, I behold, indeed.
