Shloka 2.102.24

पितृमरणश्रवणं जलक्रिया च (Hearing of Daśaratha’s death and the libation rites at Mandākinī)

Devanagari script

ते सुतीर्थां ततः कृच्छ्रादुपागम्य यशस्विनः।नदीं मन्दाकिनीं रम्यां सदा पुष्पितकाननाम्।।।।शीघ्रस्रोतसमासाद्य तीर्थं शिवमकर्दमम्।सिषिचु स्तूदकं राज्ञे तत एतद् भवत्विति।।।।

Transliteration

te sutīrthāṃ tataḥ kṛcchrād upāgamya yaśasvinaḥ | nadīṃ mandākinīṃ ramyāṃ sadā puṣpitakānanām ||

Translation

Then those illustrious brothers, with difficulty, reached the lovely Mandākinī river, whose banks were graced with forests ever in bloom, and found a good ford for descent.

Context

The illustrious brothers approached with great difficulty the swift-flowing and enchanting river Mandakini which had convenient descent and endowed with forests always in bloom. They descended at an auspicious place that was not slushy and offered libations of water saying 'O father, let these offerings be yours'.

Characters & Entities

• Mandākinī River
• Rāma and brothers (princes)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes perseverance in rightful duties even amid hardship: despite difficulty, the brothers proceed to the river to perform purificatory and ancestral rites.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and his brothers arrive at the Mandākinī and locate a suitable place to descend for bathing and offerings.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness and resolve: they continue forward through physical strain, guided by duty toward their father.