Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 50, Shloka 22
गङ्गादर्शनम् तथा गुहसमागमः
Vision of the Gaṅgā and Meeting with Guha
व्यपेतमलसङ्घातां मणिनिर्मलदर्शनाम्।दिशागजैर्वनगजै र्मत्तैश्च वरवारणैः।।2.50.22।।देवोपवाह्यैश्च मुहुस्सन्नादितवनान्तराम्।
vyapeta-mala-saṅghātāṃ maṇi-nirmala-darśanām |
diśā-gajair vana-gajair mattaiś ca vara-vāraṇaiḥ ||2.50.22||
devopavāhyaiś ca muhuḥ sannādita-vanāntarām |
Libre de cúmulos de impureza, se mostraba clara como una joya sin mancha; y los bosques de sus riberas resonaban una y otra vez con el barrito de excelentes elefantes enloquecidos por el celo: elefantes del bosque y poderosos elefantes de las direcciones, dignos de llevar a los dioses.
The river, cleansed of heaps of impurities, appears like a transparent gem. The interiors of forests on her banks always resounds with the trumpeting of mighty, intoxicated, wild elephants guarding the quarters, fit to be the vehicles of gods.
FAQs
Dharma as inner purity and awe: the river’s clarity symbolizes moral clarity, while the elephants’ power evokes respectful caution toward what is sacred and strong.
The poem describes the Gaṅgā’s purity and the vibrant, powerful wildlife in the forests bordering her.
Śraddhā (reverent regard) paired with viveka (discernment) in approaching sacred, powerful environments.