Valmiki Ramayana 2.94.5-6: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 94, Shlokas 5-6
चित्रकूटवर्णनम् (Description of Chitrakūṭa) / Rama Shows Sita Chitrakuta
Spoken by Rama to SitaSetting: Chitrakuta mountain (Achalendra) regionPlaces named: ChitrakutaForest-exile sojourn; mountain exploration
केचिद्रजतसङ्काशाः केचित्क्षतजसंनिभाः ।
पीतमाञ्जिष्टवर्णाश्च केचिन्मणिवरप्रभाः ॥५॥
पुष्यार्ककेतकाभाश्च केचिज्ज्योतीरसप्रभाः ।
विराजन्तेऽचलेन्द्रस्य देशा धातुविभूषिताः ॥६॥
kecid rajatasaṅkāśāḥ kecit kṣatajasaṃnibhāḥ |
pītamāñjiṣṭavarṇāś ca kecin maṇivaraprabhāḥ ||5||
puṣyārkaketakābhāś ca kecij jyotīrasaprabhāḥ |
virājante ’calendrasya deśā dhātuvibhūṣitāḥ ||6||
Von Erzen geschmückt, leuchten die Gegenden dieses herrlichen Berges in vielerlei Farben: manche wie Silber, manche blutrot, manche gelb wie Mañjiṣṭhā, manche strahlend wie erlesene Edelsteine; andere glänzen wie Topas, wie die Sonne oder wie Ketaka-Blüten, und wieder andere schimmern wie Quecksilber.
Sandhi Notes
- विराजन्तेऽचलेन्द्रस्य = विराजन्ते + अचलेन्द्रस्य
- केचिज्ज्योतीरसप्रभाः = केचित् + ज्योतीरसप्रभाः
This mountain with its peaks is adorned with various minerals. Some of the regions have the radiance of silver and bronze, some look blood-red or madder-crimson, some sparkle like the rarest of gems while others shine like topaz or crystal or a flower of ketaka plant or shimmer like stars and quicksilver.
The teaching
Even in exile, the dharmic eye perceives auspiciousness and beauty in nature; adversity does not negate śrī (splendor) in the world.
- Ethical theme
- Sāttvika appreciation / resilience
For your practice
Supports smṛti of īśvara’s vibhūti through contemplation of nature’s radiance; useful for dhyāna on tejas and gratitude.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Resplendent, variegated, awe-struck
Themes
- Dharma
- Nature as refuge
- Aesthetic description
- Forest-exile
- Itihāsa
Brahman reflected through nāma-rūpa: one reality appearing as many colors and forms (vivarta/ābhāsa imagery).
Chāndogya-style contemplation of the One appearing as manifold ("ekam... bahudhā"); also the motif of tejas (radiance) pervading forms.
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.94.6-7 (continued Chitrakūṭa varṇana); Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.56 (forest and landscape descriptions around exile)
Ṛgveda hymns to Uṣas/Sūrya for tejas imagery (general allusion)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa Chitrakūṭa-praveśa and prakṛti-varṇana sequence (2.94)
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Narrative
Madhyama-gati with bright udatta emphasis on color-terms
FAQs
Dharma includes the capacity to see value and order even in hardship: Rāma’s appreciative vision suggests inner discipline that turns exile into meaningful living.
Rāma continues describing Citrakūṭa’s natural splendor to Sītā, focusing on mineral colors and radiance across the mountain.
Cultivated perception and composure—finding serenity and beauty without clinging to royal comforts.
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