Valmiki Ramayana 2.55.34: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 55, Shloka 34
चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः · Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing
Setting: Auspicious forest near a riverbank (nadi-vapra) in Yamunā region (context)After roaming, they arrive at an even riverbank and select a campsite
विहृत्य ते बर्हिणपूगनादिते शुभे वने वानरवारणायुते ।
समं नदीवप्रमुपेत्य सम्मतं निवास माजग्मु रदीनदर्शनाः ॥३४॥
vihṛtya te barhiṇapūganādite śubhe vane vānaravāraṇāyute |
samaṁ nadīvapram upetya sammataṁ nivāsaṁ ājagmur adīnadarśanāḥ ||34||
वो दोनों उस खूबसूरत जंगल में घूमे। मोरों की आवाज़ें आ रही थी। बंदर और हाथी भी थे वहाँ। फिर नदी के पास एक सीधी जगह पहुँच गए। वहाँ रहने की जगह चुन ली। दोनों बहुत खुश थे।
Sandhi Notes
- निवासमाजग्मुरदीनदर्शनाः = निवासम् + आजग्मुः + अदीनदर्शनाः
- नदीवप्रमुपेत्य = नदीवप्रम् + उपेत्य
They reached the table-land on the bank of that river and moved in high spirit in the lovely forest resounding with cries of flocks of peacocks and teeming with monkeys and elephants. Finally they selected a spot for their stay.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē pañcapañcāśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fiftyfifth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
The teaching
Fearlessness is sustained by prudent choices (safe dwelling) and inner composure; dharma expresses itself as calm competence.
- Ethical theme
- Sthiti-prajñā-like steadiness / practical dharma
For your practice
Meditative contemplation on Rāma’s abhaya: cultivating inner steadiness amid changing environments.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace), with Adbhuta (wonder)
- Mood
- Untroubled, pastoral, secure
Themes
- Dharma
- Resilience
- Itihasa
- Forest-journey
- Satya
Abhaya as a mark of inner steadiness: fearlessness arises when the mind is anchored in dharma rather than circumstance.
‘abhaya’ resonates with Upaniṣadic ideal of fearlessness born of right knowledge/steadfastness (abhayaṃ vai brahma—later formulations), here as ethical-psychological poise.
- Rama and Lakshmana
- Brothers; leaders choosing a dwelling place together (confident)
- Brothers and Forest
- Acceptance of exile; harmony with wilderness (serene)
- Brothers and Riverbank
- Seeking shelter and safety; choosing residence (assured)
Valmiki Ramayana Araṇyakāṇḍa (forest dwelling selections and descriptions of fauna); Rāmacaritamānasa (forest scenes emphasizing Rāma’s fearlessness and harmony with nature)
Classical kāvya topos: peacock-cry as marker of auspicious forest beauty
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: repeated motif of choosing nivāsa near water and in safe terrain
Anuṣṭup (with extended/complex compounds; recited in flowing narrative cadence)
Narrative
Smooth, unbroken phrasing to carry long compounds; gentle descent at ‘nivāsaṃ ājagmuḥ’
FAQs
Dharma as steadfastness: choosing a proper dwelling and remaining undaunted reflects disciplined endurance and purposeful living during exile.
After moving through a vibrant forest near the river, they arrive at a level bank and select a suitable campsite for residence.
Courage and composure—maintaining high spirits and order even in uncertain wilderness conditions.
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