Sarga 44: Ganga Named Bhagirathi
Bhagirathi Nama Prapti
Brahma tells Bhagiratha that Sagara's sons are redeemed, names Ganga his daughter (Bhagirathi, Tripathaga), and has him complete their water rites before returning to rule his kingdom in peace.
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सा त्वया समनुक्रान्ता प्रतिज्ञा पुरुषर्षभ। प्राप्तोऽसि परमं लोके यश: परमसम्मतम्।।1.44.12।।
Meaning
That vow has been fulfilled by you, bull among men; you have attained the highest, most honored renown in the world.
यच्च गङ्गावतरणं त्वया कृतमरिन्दम। अनेन च भवान् प्राप्तो धर्मस्यायतनं महत्।।1.44.13।।
Meaning
Foe-tamer, by this descent of Ganga that you have accomplished, you have attained a great abode of righteousness.
प्लावयस्व त्वमात्मानं नरोत्तम सदोचिते। सलिले पुरुषव्याघ्र शुचि: पुण्यफलो भव।।1.44.14।।
Meaning
Best of men, bathe yourself now in this ever-fitting water; tiger among men, be pure, and let your merit bear fruit.
पितामहानां सर्वेषां कुरुष्व सलिलक्रियाम्। स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि स्वं लोकं गम्यतां नृप।।1.44.15।।
Meaning
Perform the water rite for all your forefathers; may you prosper, I shall depart; king, go now to your own realm.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा देवेश: सर्वलोकपितामह:। यथाऽऽगतं तथाऽगच्छत् देवलोकं महायशा:।।1.44.16।।
Meaning
Having spoken thus, the greatly renowned lord of gods, grandsire of all worlds, departed to the world of the gods as he had come.
भगीरथोऽपि राजर्षि: कृत्वा सलिलमुत्तमम्। यथाक्रमं यथान्यायं सागराणां महायशा:।।1.44.17।। कृतोदकश्शुची राजा स्वपुरं प्रविवेश ह। समृद्धार्थो रघुश्रेष्ठ स्वराज्यं प्रशशास ह।।1.44.18।।
Meaning
The greatly renowned royal sage Bhagiratha, having performed the supreme water rite for Sagara's sons in due order and by proper rule, the king, purified by the water offering, entered his own city; best of Raghu's line, his purpose fulfilled, he ruled his own kingdom.
प्रमुमोद ह लोकस्तं नृपमासाद्य राघव। नष्टशोकस्समृद्धार्थो बभूव विगतज्वर:।।1.44.19।।
Meaning
Raghava, the people rejoiced greatly on regaining that king; their grief destroyed, their purpose fulfilled, they became free of affliction.
एष ते राम गङ्गाया विस्तरोऽभिहितो मया। स्वस्ति प्राप्नुहि भद्रं ते संध्याकालोऽतिवर्तते।।1.44.20।।
Meaning
Rama, this is the full account of Ganga that I have related to you; may you prosper — the evening hour is passing.
धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं पुत्र्यं स्वर्ग्यमतीव च। यश्श्रावयति विप्रेषु क्षत्रियेष्वितरेषु च।।1.44.21।। प्रीयन्ते पितरस्तस्य प्रीयन्ते दैवतानि च।
Meaning
This tale grants merit, fame, long life, sons, and heaven; whoever recites it among brahmins, kshatriyas, and others pleases their ancestors and the gods.
इदमाख्यानमव्यग्रो गङ्गावतरणं शुभम्।।1.44.22।। यश्शृणोति च काकुत्स्थ सर्वान् कामानवाप्नुयात्। सर्वे पापा: प्रणश्यन्ति आयु: कीर्तिश्च वर्धते।।1.44.23।।
Meaning
Kakutstha, whoever listens attentively to this auspicious account of Ganga's descent shall obtain all desires; all sins are destroyed, and life and fame increase.