Valmiki Ramayana 2.55.18: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 55, Shloka 18

चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः

Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing

Devanagari script

आरोप्य प्रथमं सीतां सङ्घाटं परिगृह्य तौ।तत प्रतेरतुर्यत्तौ वीरौ दशरथात्मजौ।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.55.18

Transliteration

āropya prathamaṃ sītāṃ saṅghāṭaṃ parigṛhya tau | tataḥ pratēratur yattau vīrau daśarathātmajau ||

Translation

Mula-mula mereka menaikkan Sītā ke atas rakit sambil memegangnya erat; kemudian kedua putra Daśaratha yang gagah itu menyeberang dengan penuh kewaspadaan.

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Word by Word

• आरोप्य: having seated (her)
• आरोप्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + रुह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund) ‘having made (her) mount/board’

• प्रथमम्: first
• प्रथमम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रथम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययप्रयोग (adverb) ‘first’ (accusative used adverbially)

• सीताम्: Sita
• सीताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सङ्घाटम्: the raft
• सङ्घाटम्: Karma (कर्म; object held/used)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सङ्घाट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘raft/float’

• परिगृह्य: having held
• परिगृह्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund) ‘having grasped/held firmly’

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• प्रतेरतुः: crossed over
• प्रतेरतुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + तॄ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन; परस्मैपद

• यत्तौ: careful
• यत्तौ: Karta (कर्ता; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण ‘careful/controlled’

• वीरौ: heroes
• वीरौ: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; apposition

• दशरथात्मजौ: sons of Dasharatha
• दशरथात्मजौ: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दशरथ + आत्मज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दशरथस्य आत्मजौ)

Context

On reaching the middle of the river Yamuna, Sita made reverential salutations to her saying O goddess, I am crossing you, may safety be ours and may my husband fulfil his vow! After Rama's (safe) return to the city (of Ayodhya) ruled by the Ikshvaku kings, I shall worship you with a thousand cows and a hundred pots of wine.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as considerate protection and proper conduct: the brothers ensure Sītā’s safety first, then proceed—placing duty of care above haste.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa manage the raft so Sītā can board safely, and then they cross the river cautiously.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentiveness and protective responsibility (rakṣaṇa-bhāva), especially toward Sītā.