Shloka 9

गङ्गा–सरयू-सङ्गमः, मलद–करूश-देशकथा, ताटकावनप्रवेशोपदेशः

The Confluence of Gaṅgā and Sarayū; the Tale of Malada–Karūśa; Counsel on Tātakā’s Forest

Devanagari script

तस्मात्सुस्राव सरसस्सायोध्यामुपगूहते ।सर प्रवृत्ता सरयू: पुण्या ब्रह्मसरश्च्युता।।1.24.9।।

Transliteration

tasmāt susrāva sarasā sāyodhyām upagūhate | sara-pravṛttā sarayūḥ puṇyā brahma-saraś-cyutā || 1.24.9 ||

Translation

“ಆ ಸರೋವರದಿಂದ ಒಂದು ನದಿ ಹರಿದುಬಂತು—ಈ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಧಾರೆ ಅಯೋಧ್ಯೆಯನ್ನು ಆಲಿಂಗಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಸರಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ಪ್ರವಹಿಸಿದುದರಿಂದ ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ‘ಸರಯೂ’ ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರು; ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಸರಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ಉದ್ಭವಿಸಿದುದರಿಂದ ಇದು ಪರಮ ಪುಣ್ಯಮಯ.”

Word by Word

तस्मात्from that

सुस्रावflowed forth

सरसःfrom the lake

साshe/that (river)

अयोध्याम्Ayodhya

उपगूहतेembraces/surrounds

सर-प्रवृत्ताoriginating from the lake

सरयूःSarayu (river)

पुण्याsacred

ब्रह्म-सरः-च्युताissued from Brahma's lake

Context

This river which flows from Manasa Sarovara is, therefore, known as 'Sarayu'. Itsurrounds Ayodhya. This sacred river flows from that lake of Brahma.

Characters & Entities

Sarayū

Ayodhyā

Brahmā

FAQs

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

Dharma is reinforced through sacred ecology: holy rivers and places are treated as carriers of purity and tradition, encouraging restraint, respect, and truthfulness about origins.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra identifies the river Sarayū, explains its emergence from Manasa Lake, and notes its intimate connection with Ayodhyā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s rootedness in a dharmic world: his homeland is framed not merely politically but as sanctified by sacred geography.