Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 95, Shloka 6
मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa
जटाजिनधराः काले वल्कलोत्तरवाससः।ऋषय स्त्ववगाहन्ते नदीं मन्दाकिनीं प्रिये।।।।
jaṭājinadharāḥ kāle valkalottaravāsasaḥ | ṛṣayas tv avagāhante nadīṃ mandākinīṃ priye ||
ಪ್ರಿಯೆ, ನಿಗದಿತ ವೇಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಜಟಾಧಾರಿಗಳು, ಅಜಿನಧಾರಿಗಳು, ವಲ್ಕಲವನ್ನು ಮೇಲ್ವಸ್ತ್ರವಾಗಿ ಧರಿಸಿದ ಋಷಿಗಳು ಮಂದಾಕಿನೀ ನದಿಗೆ ಇಳಿದು ಅವಗಾಹನ ಮಾಡಿ ಸ್ನಾನಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ.
O my beloved! rishis with matted locks and wearing deer skins and bark of trees as upper cloth bathe in the river Mandakini for performing morning ablutions in time.
FAQs
Dharma is disciplined observance (niyama) and purity: the sages keep time-bound practices and simple attire, showing that truth and righteousness are sustained through regular, humble conduct.
Rāma describes the ascetics living nearby and their routine of bathing in Mandākinī at the proper hour.
Respect for tapas and sacred discipline—Rāma highlights and honors the sages’ way of life as an ideal of dharmic practice.