Shloka 12

चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः

Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing

Devanagari script

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

Transliteration

iti tau puruṣa-vyāghrau mantrayitvā manasvinau |

sītām evāgrataḥ kṛtvā kālindīṃ jagmatur nadīm ||

Translation

So berieten sich jene beiden „Tiger unter den Menschen“, hochgesinnt; und indem sie Sītā vorangehen ließen, zogen sie zur Kālindī, dem Fluss (Yamunā).

Word by Word

इतिthus

तौthose two

पुरुषव्याघ्रौbest of men

मन्त्रयित्वाhaving consulted

मनस्विनौnoble-minded

सीताम्Sita

एवindeed

अग्रतःin front

कृत्वाhaving placed

कालिन्दीम्(to) the Kalindi (Yamuna)

जग्मतुःwent

नदीम्river

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.