Valmiki Ramayana 2.83.22 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 83, Shloka 22

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

Śṛṅgīberapura

Devanagari script

निरीक्ष्यानुगतां सेनां तां च गङ्गां शिवोदकाम्।भरतस्सचिवान्सर्वानब्रवीद्वाक्यकोविदः।।2.83.22।।

Transliteration

nirīkṣyānugatāṃ senāṃ tāṃ ca gaṅgāṃ śivodakām |

bharataḥ sacivān sarvān abravīd vākyakovidaḥ || 2.83.22 ||

Translation

Als Bharata das ihm folgende Heer und die Gaṅgā mit ihrem heilvollen Wasser erblickte, sprach er, der redegewandte, zu all seinen Ministern.

Word by Word

• upetya: having approached/reached
• upetya: Hetu/Anukāla (हेतु/अनुकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-i (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund)

• tīram: bank/shore
• tīram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• gaṅgāyāḥ: of the Ganga
• gaṅgāyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• cakravākaiḥ: with ruddy geese (cakravākas)
• cakravākaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakravāka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• alaṅkṛtam: adorned
• alaṅkṛtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alaṅ-kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण to tīram

• vyavātiṣṭhata: halted/stopped
• vyavātiṣṭhata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ava-sthā (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• sā: that
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• senā: army
• senā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: senā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• bharatasya: of Bharata
• bharatasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• anuyāyinī: following
• anuyāyinī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-yāyinī (प्रातिपदिक; from √yā with anu, feminine agent/adj)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण to senā

Context

The army following Bharata reached the bank of the river Ganga, graced by chakravakas (ruddy geese) and halted there.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Gaṅgā
• Ministers
• Army

FAQs

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

Dharma in leadership includes mindful assessment and clear communication: Bharata observes circumstances (troops and terrain) and then consults/commands through responsible speech.

What is the narrative situation?

At the Gaṅgā, Bharata surveys the situation and begins giving instructions to his ministers.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s prudence and articulate leadership (vākyakovidatā), aligning action with orderly counsel.