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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गच्छ चाश्वं महाभाग तं गृह्य पुरुषर्षभ।।1.41.21।। यज्ञं पैतामहं वीर संवर्तयितुमर्हसि।
Meaning
Fortunate one, go now, bull among men, and taking the horse, hero, you should bring your grandfather's sacrifice to completion.
सुपर्णवचनं श्रुत्वा सोंऽशुमानतिवीर्यवान् ।।1.41.22।। त्वरितं हयमादाय पुनरायान्महायशा:।
Meaning
Hearing Suparna's words, the greatly valiant, greatly renowned Anshuman swiftly took the horse and returned.
ततो राजानमासाद्य दीक्षितं रघुनन्दन।।1.41.23।। न्यवेदयद्यथावृत्तं सुपर्णवचनं तथा।
Meaning
Delight of Raghu, then, coming to the consecrated king, he reported everything that had happened and all that Suparna had said.
तच्छ्रुत्वा घोरसङ्काशं वाक्यमंशुमतो नृप:।।1.41.24।। यज्ञं निवर्तयामास यथाकल्पं यथाविधि।
Meaning
Hearing that dreadful account from Anshuman, the king completed the sacrifice according to rule and proper procedure.
स्वपुरं चागमच्छ्रीमानिष्टयज्ञोमहीपति:।।1.41.25।। गङ्गायाश्चागमे राजा निश्चयं नाध्यगच्छत।
Meaning
The glorious king, his sacrifice fulfilled, returned to his own city; yet he could reach no resolve about bringing Ganga down.
अकृत्वा निश्चयं राजा कालेन महता महान् । त्रिंशद्वर्षसहस्राणि राज्यं कृत्वा दिवं गत:।।1.41.26।।
Meaning
Unable to reach a resolve despite the passage of a long time, that great king, having ruled for thirty thousand years, departed to heaven.