Valmiki Ramayana 2.83.20 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 83, Shloka 20

अयोध्याकाण्डे त्र्यशीति तमः सर्गः — Bharata’s Departure and Encampment on the Gaṅgā

Śṛṅgīberapura

Devanagari script

ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं रथयानाश्वकुञ्जरैः।समासेदुस्ततो गङ्गां शृङ्गीबेरपुरं प्रति।।2.83.19।।यत्र रामसखो वीरो गुहो ज्ञातिगणैर्वृतः।निवसत्यप्रमादेन देशं तं परिपालयन्।।2.83.20।।

Transliteration

te gatvā dūram adhvānaṃ rathayānāśvakuñjaraiḥ |

samāsedus tato gaṅgāṃ śṛṅgīberapuraṃ prati || 2.83.19 ||

yatra rāmasakho vīro guho jñātigaṇair vṛtaḥ |

nivasaty apramādena deśaṃ taṃ paripālayan || 2.83.20 ||

Translation

Nachdem sie eine weite Strecke auf Wagen, Karren, Pferden und Elefanten zurückgelegt hatten, erreichten sie die Gaṅgā in Richtung Śṛṅgīberapura, wo der tapfere Guha, Rāmas Freund, von seinen Verwandten umgeben wohnte und jenes Land ohne Nachlässigkeit schützte.

Word by Word

• sa-candra-tārāgaṇa-maṇḍitam: adorned with the moon and stars
• sa-candra-tārāgaṇa-maṇḍitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + candra (प्रातिपदिक) + tārāgaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇḍita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √maṇḍ)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव: 'सह चन्द्रतारागणेन' + क्त-विशेषण 'मण्डितम्'

• yathā: just as
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक/यथार्थक-अव्यय (as/just as)

• nabhaḥ: the sky
• nabhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nabhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• kṣapāyām: at night
• kṣapāyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣapā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• amalam: clear/pure
• amalam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण to nabhaḥ

• virājate: shines
• virājate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-rāj (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• narendra-mārgaḥ: the king's road
• narendra-mārgaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara-indra (प्रातिपदिक) + mārga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'नरेन्द्रस्य मार्गः'

• saḥ: that (road)
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• tathā: so/likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (so/likewise)

• vyarājata: shone
• vyarājata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-rāj (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• krameṇa: in order/stepwise
• krameṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण/रीतिवाचक (by order/in sequence)

• ramyaḥ: beautiful
• ramyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ramya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण to mārgaḥ

• śubha-śilpi-nirmitaḥ: built by skilled craftsmen
• śubha-śilpi-nirmitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक) + śilpin (प्रातिपदिक) + nirmita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √mā with nir)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'शुभैः शिल्पिभिः निर्मितः'

Context

After travelling a long distance on chariots, carriages, horses and elephants, they reached the river Ganga close to Srngiberapura, a country ruled vigilantly by Rama's friend, the valiant Guha who lived there along with his relatives.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Gaṅgā
• Śṛṅgīberapura
• Guha
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as vigilant protection of one’s domain and faithful friendship: Guha safeguards his territory with care, and his identity as Rāma’s friend signals loyalty grounded in righteous alliance.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata’s party completes a long journey and reaches the Gaṅgā near Śṛṅgīberapura, the area associated with Guha, who is connected to Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Guha’s apramāda (vigilance) and steadfast loyalty, representing responsible leadership and trustworthy friendship.