Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 50, Shloka 18

गङ्गादर्शनम् तथा गुहसमागमः

Vision of the Gaṅgā and Meeting with Guha

Devanagari script

देवसङ्घाप्लुतजलां निर्मलोत्पलशोभिताम्।क्वचिदाभोगपुलिनां क्वचिन्निर्मलवालुकाम्।।2.50.18।।

Transliteration

deva-saṅghāpluta-jalāṃ nirmalotpala-śobhitām |

kvacid ābhoga-pulināṃ kvacin nirmala-vālukām ||2.50.18||

Translation

Sus aguas eran bañadas por huestes de seres celestiales, y resplandecía adornada con inmaculados lotos azules; en unos lugares tenía anchos bancos de arena, y en otros arenas claras y limpias.

Word by Word

• kvacit: somewhere
• kvacit: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kvacit (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of place

• stimita-gambhīrām: still and deep
• stimita-gambhīrām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier of Gaṅgā)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: stimita (प्रातिपदिक) + gambhīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; karmadhāraya: 'stimita ca sā gambhīrā ca' (still and deep)

• kvacit: somewhere
• kvacit: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kvacit (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of place

• vega-jala-ākulām: turbulent with swift waters
• vega-jala-ākulām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vega (प्रातिपदिक) + jala (प्रातिपदिक) + ākula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; tatpurusha: 'vegena jalena ākulā' (turbulent with swift water)

• kvacit: somewhere
• kvacit: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kvacit (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of place

• gambhīra-nirghoṣām: with a deep roar
• gambhīra-nirghoṣām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gambhīra (प्रातिपदिक) + nirghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; tatpurusha: 'gambhīraḥ nirghoṣaḥ yasyāḥ' (having deep roar)

• kvacit: somewhere
• kvacit: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kvacit (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of place

• bhairava-nisvanām: with a dreadful sound
• bhairava-nisvanām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhairava (प्रातिपदिक) + nisvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; tatpurusha: 'bhairavaḥ nisvanaḥ yasyāḥ' (having dreadful sound)

Context

The river reverberates with the cries of swans, cranes and chakravakas (ruddy goose). It rings intermittently with the chirpings of birds charged with endless pasison.

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Devas (celestials)

FAQs

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

Dharma as śauca (purity): the Gaṅgā is portrayed as ritually and spiritually purifying, reinforcing the value of inner and outer cleanliness.

What is the narrative situation?

A descriptive passage highlighting the sanctity and beauty of the Gaṅgā along Rāma’s route.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence (bhakti/śraddhā): the setting evokes a respectful attitude toward sacred places and traditions.