Valmiki Ramayana 2.89.16 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 89, Shloka 16
गङ्गातरणम्
Bharata’s Ferrying of the Army across the Ganga
पताकिन्यस्तु ता नावस्स्वयं दाशैरधिष्ठिताः।वहन्त्यो जनमारूढं तदा सम्पेतुराशुगाः।।।।
patākinyas tu tā nāvaḥ svayaṃ dāśair adhiṣṭhitāḥ | vahantyo janam ārūḍhaṃ tadā sampetur āśugāḥ ||
تلك القوارب، المزيّنة بالرايات والمُدارة بأيدي الصيادين أنفسهم، انطلقت حينئذٍ مسرعةً، حاملةً الناس الذين صعدوا إليها.
Those boats adorned with flags were propelled by the fishermen occupying them. They sailed with men rowing on board fast.
FAQs
Dharma is skilled service: those competent to navigate (the dāśas) take responsibility for others’ safety, embodying duty through expertise.
The flagged boats depart quickly under the control of the fishermen, transporting the passengers across.
Professional competence and reliability of the boatmen—quiet, essential dharma through work.
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