Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 95, Shloka 14
मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa
सखीवच्च विगाहस्व सीते मन्दाकिनीं नदीम्।कमलान्यवमज्जन्ती पुष्कराणि च भामिनि।।।।
sakhīvac ca vigāhasva sīte mandākinīṃ nadīm | kamalāny avamajjantī puṣkarāṇi ca bhāmini ||
O Sītā, O lovely one—enter the river Mandākinī as you would a dear companion, and as you play in the water, dip the red lotuses and the white lotuses, O radiant lady.
O my lovely lady! Always think this river Mandakini as Sarayu and this mount Chitrakuta as Ayodhya and these wild animals as its inhabitants.
FAQs
Dharma includes sustaining harmony in hardship: Rāma encourages innocent recreation that preserves emotional balance without abandoning restraint.
Rāma invites Sītā to enjoy the Mandākinī, depicting the river’s lotus-filled beauty to lighten the mood of exile.
Affectionate care—Rāma actively nurtures Sītā’s comfort and joy.