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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तैश्च सर्वैर्दिशापालैर्वाक्यज्ञैर्वाक्यकोविदै:। पूजितस्सहयश्चैव गन्ताऽसीत्यभिचोदित:।।1.41.11।।
Meaning
By all those guardian elephants, knowers and experts of speech, he was honored, and, together with the horse, was urged onward: you shall go on.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा जगाम लघुविक्रम:। भस्मराशीकृता यत्र पितरस्तस्य सागरा:।।1.41.12।।
Meaning
Hearing their words, swift in valor, he went on to where his uncles, Sagara's sons, lay reduced to a heap of ashes.
स दु:खवशमापन्नस्त्वसमञ्जसुतस्तदा। चुक्रोश परमार्तस्तु वधात्तेषां सुदु:खित:।।1.41.13।।
Meaning
Overcome with grief, Asamanja's son cried out, greatly afflicted and sorrowful at their slaying.
यज्ञीयं च हयं तत्र चरन्तमविदूरत:। ददर्श पुरुषव्याघ्रो दु:खशोकसमन्वित:।।1.41.14।।
Meaning
Tiger among men, overwhelmed by sorrow and grief, he saw the sacrificial horse grazing there, not far off.
स तेषां राजपुत्राणां कर्तुकामो जलक्रियाम् । सलिलार्थी महातेजा न चापश्यज्जलाशयम् ।।1.41.15।।
Meaning
Wishing to perform the water rites for the princes, the greatly splendid one, seeking water, could find no reservoir anywhere.
विसार्य निपुणां दृष्टिं ततोऽपश्यत्खगाधिपम् । पितृणां मातुलं राम सुपर्णमनिलोपमम्।।1.41.16।।
Meaning
Casting his keen eye about, Rama, he saw the lord of birds, Suparna, wind-swift, maternal uncle of his forefathers.
स चैवमब्रवीद्वाक्यं वैनतेयो महाबल :। मा शुच: पुरुषव्याघ्र वधोऽयं लोकसम्मत:।।1.41.17।।
Meaning
The greatly mighty son of Vinata spoke this word: grieve not, tiger among men, this slaying is approved by the world.
कपिलेनाप्रमेयेन दग्धा हीमे महाबला:। सलिलं नार्हसि प्राज्ञ दातुमेषां हि लौकिकम्।।1.41.18।।
Meaning
They were burned by the immeasurable Kapila, these greatly mighty ones; wise one, it is not fitting for you to offer them ordinary water.
गङ्गा हिमवतो ज्येष्ठा दुहिता पुरुषर्षभ। तस्यां कुरु महाबाहो पितृणां तु जलक्रियाम्।।1.41.19।।
Meaning
Ganga, bull among men, is Himavan's eldest daughter; mighty-armed one, perform the water rite for your ancestors in her waters.
भस्मराशीकृतानेतान् प्लावयेल्लोकपावनी। तया क्लिन्नमिदं भस्म गङ्गया लोककान्तया।।1.41.20।। षष्टिं पुत्रसहस्राणि स्वर्गलोकं च नेष्यति।
Meaning
The world-purifier shall carry these, reduced to a heap of ashes; when this ash is drenched by Ganga, beloved of the world, she shall lead the sixty thousand sons to the heavenly world.