Shloka 2.95.12

मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa)

Devanagari script

दर्शनं चित्रकूटस्य मन्दाकिन्याश्च शोभने।अधिकं पुरवासाच्च मन्ये तव च दर्शनात्।।।।

Transliteration

tāṃś cātivalguvacasō rathāṅgāhvayanā dvijāḥ | adhirōhanti kalyāṇi niṣkūjantaḥ śśubhā giraḥ ||

Translation

O auspicious Sītā, the sweet-voiced birds called rathāṅga (cakravāka) alight upon those heaps and call out in most pleasant notes.

Context

My lovely Sita, I consider watching this mount Chitrakuta and river Mandakini in your presence more delightful than living in Ayodhya.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• rathāṅga (cakravāka) birds

FAQs

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

Dharma is steadiness in adversity: Rāma models contentment in exile by finding wholesome joy in nature rather than lamenting loss.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma points out the beauty around Citrakūṭa/Mandākinī to Sītā, drawing her attention to birds and flower-heaps as they move about the area.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s resilience and uplifting leadership—he comforts Sītā by reframing exile as a life of simplicity and beauty.