Valmiki Ramayana 2.55.12: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 55, Shloka 12

चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः

Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing

Devanagari script

इति तौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ मन्त्रयित्वा मनस्विनौ।सीतामेवाग्रतः कृत्वा कालिन्दीं जग्मतुर्नदीम्।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.55.12

Transliteration

iti tau puruṣa-vyāghrau mantrayitvā manasvinau |

sītām evāgrataḥ kṛtvā kālindīṃ jagmatur nadīm ||

Translation

وهكذا تشاور ذانك «النمران بين الرجال» ذوا الهمة العالية؛ وجعلا سيتا في المقدّمة، ومضيا نحو نهر كاليندي (يامونا).

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Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (quotative/particle)

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; सर्वनाम

• पुरुषव्याघ्रौ: best of men
• पुरुषव्याघ्रौ: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष + व्याघ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पुरुषाणां व्याघ्रौ) ‘tigers among men’

• मन्त्रयित्वा: having consulted
• मन्त्रयित्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन्त्र् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund) ‘having consulted/conversed’

• मनस्विनौ: noble-minded
• मनस्विनौ: Karta (कर्ता; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण (noble-minded)

• सीताम्: Sita
• सीताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle) emphasis ‘indeed/only’

• अग्रतः: in front
• अग्रतः: Desha-adhikarana (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: agratas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) ‘in front/ahead’

• कृत्वा: having placed
• कृत्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund) ‘having made/placing’

• कालिन्दीम्: (to) the Kalindi (Yamuna)
• कालिन्दीम्: Karma (कर्म; goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कालिन्दी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नदी-नाम

• जग्मतुः: went
• जग्मतुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन; परस्मैपद

• नदीम्: river
• नदीम्: Karma (कर्म; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; apposition to कालिन्दीम्

Context

Thus talking with one another, the two noble-minded tigers (best) among men advanced towards river Kalindi (Yamuna) with Sita walking in front.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sītā
• Kālindī (Yamunā)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma appears as protective responsibility: the brothers coordinate their actions and ensure Sītā’s safety and dignity while traveling.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa discuss their next steps and proceed toward the Yamunā with Sītā leading.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudent leadership and guardianship—planning together and prioritizing Sītā’s well-being.