Shloka 14

गङ्गादर्शनम् तथा गुहसमागमः

Vision of the Gaṅgā and Meeting with Guha

Devanagari script

देवदानवगन्धर्वैः किन्नरैरुपशोभिताम्।नानागन्धर्वपत्नीभि स्सेवितां सततं शिवाम्।।2.50.14।।

Transliteration

deva-dānava-gandharvaiḥ kinnarair upaśobhitām |

nānā-gandharva-patnībhiḥ sevitāṁ satataṁ śivām || 2.50.14 ||

Translation

वह शुभा गंगा देव, दानव, गंधर्व और किन्नरों से अलंकृत होकर शोभायमान थी; अनेक गंधर्व-पत्नियाँ उसे निरंतर सेवित करती थीं, और वह सदा मंगलमयी थी।

Word by Word

• āśramaiḥ: by/with hermitages
• āśramaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āśrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā plural; instrumental (करण) indicating accompaniment/means

• avidūra-sthaiḥ: situated nearby
• avidūra-sthaiḥ: Karana (करण) (qualifier of āśramaiḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (निषेध) + vidūra (प्रातिपदिक) + stha (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक from √sthā 'to stand')
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā plural; agrees with āśramaiḥ; tatpurusha: 'avidūre sthitāḥ' (situated not far)

• śrīmadbhiḥ: splendid, graceful
• śrīmadbhiḥ: Karana (करण) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrī-mat (प्रातिपदिक; śrī + matup)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā plural; agrees with āśramaiḥ

• sam-alaṅkṛtām: adorned
• sam-alaṅkṛtām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier of Gaṅgā)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam+√alaṅkṛ (धातु; to adorn) (kta participle alaṅkṛta)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; kta (क्त) past passive participle; agrees with gaṅgām (understood from previous verse context)

• kāle: at times/seasonally
• kāle: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī (सप्तमी) singular; locative of time (कालाधिकरण)

• apsarobhiḥ: by nymphs (apsarases)
• apsarobhiḥ: Karana (करण) (agent in passive sense with sevita)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apsaras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā plural; instrumental agent/association

• hṛṣṭābhiḥ: delighted
• hṛṣṭābhiḥ: Karana (करण) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hṛṣṭa (कृदन्त; √hṛṣ 'to rejoice', kta)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā plural; agrees with apsarobhiḥ

• sevitā: frequented
• sevitā: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier of Gaṅgā)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sevita (कृदन्त; √sev, kta)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular (sevitām, understood with next compound); kta participle 'frequented/inhabited'

• ambhaḥ-hradām: having water-lakes/pools
• ambhaḥ-hradām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ambhas (प्रातिपदिक) + hrada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; tatpurusha: 'ambhaḥ-hradāḥ yasyāḥ' (having lakes/pools of water)

• śivām: auspicious
• śivām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śivā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; agrees with gaṅgām

Context

The sound of dashing waters of the Ganga is like her laughter and the foam like her sparkling smile. Here she flows straight like the braid of a maiden and there in whirlpools.

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Devas
• Dānavas
• Gandharvas
• Kinnaras

FAQs

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

Dharma is suggested as a universal order: the sacred river is honored across beings, implying that holiness and truth are not sectarian but cosmically acknowledged.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration continues the praise of Gaṅgā, emphasizing her celestial associations and constant visitation by divine and semi-divine beings.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence (śraddhā) toward sacred rivers and places—an essential virtue in the Ramayana’s dhārmic worldview.