Valmiki Ramayana 1.35.4 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 4

गङ्गाजन्मवर्णनम् / The Origin of the Ganga

Tripathagā Narrative

Devanagari script

अयं शोणश्शुभजलोऽगाध: पुलिनमण्डित:।कतरेण पथा ब्रह्मन् सन्तरिष्यामहे वयम्।।1.35.4।।

Transliteration

ayaṃ śoṇaḥ śubhajalo 'gādhaḥ pulinamaṇḍitaḥ |

katareṇa pathā brahman santariṣyāmahe vayam || 1.35.4 ||

Translation

O Kenner des Brahman, dieser Śoṇa-Fluss hat glückverheißendes Wasser, ist tief und von Sandbänken geschmückt. Auf welchem Weg sollen wir ihn überqueren?

Word by Word

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• शोणः: (the river) Śoṇa
• शोणः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śoṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नदी-नाम (proper noun)

• शुभजलः: having auspicious water
• शुभजलः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier of शोणः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha + jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (descriptive): शुभं जलं यस्य/शुभं जलम्

• अगाधः: very deep (unfathomable)
• अगाधः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier of शोणः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-gādha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्-समासार्थ (negation)

• पुलिनमण्डितः: adorned with sandbanks
• पुलिनमण्डितः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier of शोणः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pulina + maṇḍita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (instrumental/means sense): पुलिनेन मण्डितः (adorned with sandbanks)

• कतरेण: by which (of the two)
• कतरेण: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: katara (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; प्रश्नवाचक (interrogative)

• पथा: by the path/way
• पथा: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pathin/patha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; ‘पथ’ शब्द (way/path)

• ब्रह्मन्: O Brahman (O venerable sage)
• ब्रह्मन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; ऋषि-सम्बोधन

• सन्तरिष्यामहे: we shall cross over
• सन्तरिष्यामहे: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + tṝ (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• वयम्: we
• वयम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

Context

"Rama, the night makes way for the dawn. It is time for morning rituals. Arise, arise! May the day bring good news! Get ready for the onward journey".

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

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

Dharma as humility and right counsel: even the capable seek proper guidance from elders/teachers before acting.

What is the narrative situation?

During the journey, the party reaches the deep Śoṇa river; Rāma asks Viśvāmitra for the appropriate crossing route.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s modesty, prudence, and respect for the guru’s direction.