Sarga 41: Anshuman's Quest
Amshuman Ashva Anveshana
Anshuman finds the horse and his uncles' ashes; Garuda tells him only Ganga's waters can redeem them, and he returns with the horse so Sagara can complete the sacrifice, though Sagara dies without finding a way to bring Ganga to earth.
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पुत्रांश्चिरगतान् ज्ञात्वा सगरो रघुनन्दन। नप्तारमब्रवीद्राजा दीप्यमानं स्वतेजसा।।1.41.1।।
Meaning
Delight of Raghu, realizing his sons had been gone a long time, King Sagara spoke to his grandson, who blazed with his own splendor.
शूरश्च कृतविद्यश्च पूर्वैस्तुल्योऽसि तेजसा। पितृणां गतिमन्विच्छ येन चाश्वोऽपवाहित:।।1.41.2।।
Meaning
You are brave and well-trained, equal in splendor to your forefathers; seek out the fate of your uncles and of the one who carried off the horse.
अन्तर्भौमानि सत्त्वानि वीर्यवन्ति महान्ति च। तेषां त्वं प्रतिघातार्थं सास्त्रं गृह्णीष्व कार्मुकम्।।1.41.3।।
Meaning
Powerful and mighty beings dwell within the earth; take up your bow and weapons to withstand them.
अभिवाद्याभिवाद्यांस्त्वं हत्वा विघ्नकरानपि। सिद्धार्थस्सन्निवर्तस्व मम यज्ञस्य पारग:।।1.41.4।।
Meaning
Salute those worthy of salutation, slay those who obstruct you, and having succeeded, return, for you shall carry my sacrifice across to completion.
एवमुक्तोंऽशुमान्सम्यक् सगरेण महात्मना। धनुरादाय खड्गं च जगाम लघुविक्रम:।।1.41.5।।
Meaning
Thus properly instructed by the great-souled Sagara, Anshuman, swift in valor, took up his bow and sword and set out.
स खातं पितृभिर्मार्गमन्तर्भौमं महात्मभि:। प्रापद्यत नरश्रेष्ठ तेन राज्ञाऽभिचोदित:।।1.41.6।।
Meaning
Best of men, urged on by the king, he reached the underground path dug by his great-souled uncles.
दैत्यदानवरक्षोभि: पिशाचपतगोरगै:। पूज्यमानं महातेजा दिशागजमपश्यत।।1.41.7।।
Meaning
The greatly splendid one saw the elephant of that quarter, worshipped by daityas, danavas, rakshasas, spirits, birds, and serpents.
स तं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा पृष्ट्वा चापि निरामयम्। पितृन् स परिपप्रच्छ वाजिहर्तारमेव च।।1.41.8।।
Meaning
Having circumambulated him and asked after his wellbeing, he inquired about his uncles and about the thief of the horse.
दिशागजस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रत्याहांशुमतो वच:। आसमञ्ज कृतार्थस्त्वं सहाश्वश्शीघ्रमेष्यसि।।1.41.9।।
Meaning
Hearing this, the elephant of that quarter replied to Anshuman: son of Asamanja, you shall soon succeed and return with the horse.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वानेव दिशागजान्। यथाक्रमं यथान्यायं प्रष्टुं समुपचक्रमे।।1.41.10।।
Meaning
Hearing that word, he began to ask all the elephants of the quarters in due order and in proper manner.