Valmiki Ramayana 2.95.6 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 95, Shloka 6

मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम्

The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa

Devanagari script

जटाजिनधराः काले वल्कलोत्तरवाससः।ऋषय स्त्ववगाहन्ते नदीं मन्दाकिनीं प्रिये।।।।

Transliteration

jaṭājinadharāḥ kāle valkalottaravāsasaḥ | ṛṣayas tv avagāhante nadīṃ mandākinīṃ priye ||

Translation

প্রিয়ে, নির্দিষ্ট সময়ে জটা ও মৃগচর্মধারী, উপরবস্ত্র হিসেবে বল্কল পরিহিত ঋষিগণ স্নানের জন্য মন্দাকিনী নদীতে অবগাহন করেন।

Word by Word

• जटा-जिन-धराः: wearing matted hair and deer-skins
• जटा-जिन-धराः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जटा (प्रातिपदिक) + जिन (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (धृ धातु, अच्/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन; समासः द्वन्द्वपूर्वक-तत्पुरुषः (जटां च जिनं च धरन्ति)

• काले: at the proper time
• काले: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन; समये (locative of time)

• वल्कल-उत्तर-वाससः: having bark as upper garment
• वल्कल-उत्तर-वाससः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वल्कल (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन; समासः षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-तत्पुरुषः (वल्कलम् उत्तरं वासः येषाम्)

• ऋषयः: sages
• ऋषयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन

• तु: indeed / but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थक ‘but/indeed’

• अवगाहन्ते: immerse / bathe
• अवगाहन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + गाह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• नदीम्: river
• नदीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन

• मन्दाकिनीम्: Mandakini
• मन्दाकिनीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्दाकिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; नदीम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषण/अप्पोजिशन

• प्रिये: O beloved
• प्रिये: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन एकवचन; संबोधन-पदम्

Context

O my beloved! rishis with matted locks and wearing deer skins and bark of trees as upper cloth bathe in the river Mandakini for performing morning ablutions in time.

Characters & Entities

• Mandākinī
• ṛṣi (sages)
• jaṭā (matted hair)
• valkala (bark-cloth)

FAQs

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

Dharma is disciplined observance (niyama) and purity: the sages keep time-bound practices and simple attire, showing that truth and righteousness are sustained through regular, humble conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma describes the ascetics living nearby and their routine of bathing in Mandākinī at the proper hour.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for tapas and sacred discipline—Rāma highlights and honors the sages’ way of life as an ideal of dharmic practice.