Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 95, Shloka 12
मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa
दर्शनं चित्रकूटस्य मन्दाकिन्याश्च शोभने।अधिकं पुरवासाच्च मन्ये तव च दर्शनात्।।।।
darśanaṃ citrakūṭasya mandākinyāś ca śobhane | adhikaṃ puravāsāc ca manye tava ca darśanāt ||
ಹೇ ಶೋಭನೇ ಸೀತೇ! ನಿನ್ನ ಸಾನ್ನಿಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರಕೂಟವೂ ಶೋಭಾಮಯ ಮಂದಾಕಿನಿಯೂ ಕಾಣುವುದು, ನಗರವಾಸಕ್ಕಿಂತಲೂ (ಅಯೋಧ್ಯಾವಾಸಕ್ಕಿಂತಲೂ) ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಆನಂದಕರವೆಂದು ನಾನು ಮನಸಾರೆ ಭಾವಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
The waters of river Mandakini is perpetually agitated by siddhas who are endowed with asceticism, self-restraint and tranquillity and who are cleansed of sins by taking bath in the river. Plunge with me into this river.
FAQs
Dharma is inner fulfillment over external power: Rāma values right living and loving companionship more than urban comfort or royal privilege.
In exile, Rāma reassures Sītā by expressing that their shared experience of the sacred landscape surpasses the pleasures of Ayodhyā.
Gratitude and unwavering affection—Rāma centers Sītā’s presence as the true source of joy.