Valmiki Ramayana 2.50.23-24: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 50, Shlokas 23-24
गङ्गादर्शनम् तथा गुहसमागमः
Vision of the Gaṅgā and Meeting with Guha
प्रमदामिव यत्नेन भूषितां भूषणोत्तमैः ॥२३॥
फलैः पुष्पैः किसलयैर्वृतां गुल्मैर्द्विजैस्तथा ।
शिंशुमारैश्च नक्रैश्च भुजङ्गैश्च निषेविताम् ॥२४॥
pramadāmiva yatnena bhūṣitāṃ bhūṣaṇottamaiḥ ||23||
phalaiḥ puṣpaiḥ kisalayairvṛtāṃ gulmairdvijaistathā |
śiṃśumāraiśca nakraiśca bhujaṅgaiśca niṣevitām ||24||
गंगा बिल्कुल एक सजी हुई औरत जैसी लगती थी। उसने अपनी बेस्ट ज्वेलरी पहनी थी। फल, फूल और नए पत्ते से सज गई थी। ब्राह्मिन लोग उसके पास रहते थे। उसमें डॉल्फिन, मगरमच्छ और साँप भी थे।
Just like a lady, Ganga is decorated with the best of ornaments; her banks are filled with fruits, flowers, tender leaves or shoots and (flowering) shrubs. It is inhabited by birds and brahmins and infested with sisumaras (small whales), crocodiles and serpents.
FAQs
The verse reflects the Dharmic principle of reverence for sacred geography. Rivers like the Ganga are not merely physical entities but divine manifestations worthy of worship and poetic celebration. The comparison to an adorned woman emphasizes the sacredness and beauty of nature, which is to be respected and honored.
This verse is part of a descriptive passage as Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana journey toward the forest. The narrator (Valmiki) is describing the beauty and sanctity of the Ganga river as they approach Srngaberapura, where they will cross the river with Guha's help. The description serves to highlight the sacred landscape through which the exiled prince travels.
The verse emphasizes the virtue of appreciation for divine creation. The detailed and reverent description of the Ganga demonstrates the importance of recognizing and honoring the sacred in nature. It also reflects the aesthetic sensitivity that is considered a mark of refined character in Indian tradition.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.