Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 50, Shloka 12

गङ्गादर्शनम् तथा गुहसमागमः

Vision of the Gaṅgā and Meeting with Guha

Devanagari script

तत स्त्रिपथगां दिव्यां शिवतोयामशैवलाम्।ददर्श राघवो गङ्गां पुण्यामृषिनिषेविताम्।।2.50.12।।

Transliteration

tataḥ tripathagāṁ divyāṁ śivatoyām aśaivalām | dadarśa rāghavo gaṅgāṁ puṇyām ṛṣiniṣevitām || 2.50.12 ||

Translation

त्यानंतर राघवाने त्रिपथगा, दिव्य, शिव जलांनी युक्त, शैवालरहित, पुण्य व ऋषींनी सेविलेली गंगा पाहिली।

Word by Word

• madhyena: through the middle
• madhyena: Adhikarana (अधिकरण) (path/route sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग usage; Tṛtīyā singular; instrumental of path/route (अध्वकरण/मार्ग)

• muditaṃ: joyful, gladdening
• muditaṃ: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier of object 'rājyaṃ')
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mudita (कृदन्त; √mud 'to rejoice', kta)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā singular; agrees with rājyaṃ

• sphītaṃ: prosperous, flourishing
• sphītaṃ: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sphīta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-adjective)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā singular; agrees with rājyaṃ

• ramya-udyāna-samākulam: abounding in lovely gardens
• ramya-udyāna-samākulam: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ramya (प्रातिपदिक) + udyāna (प्रातिपदिक) + sam-ākula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā singular; tatpurusha: 'ramyaiḥ udyānaiḥ samākulam' (filled with lovely gardens)

• rājyaṃ: kingdom
• rājyaṃ: Karma (कर्म) (object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā singular; object of yayau (went through/into the kingdom)

• bhogyaṃ: fit to be enjoyed
• bhogyaṃ: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhogya (प्रातिपदिक; gerundive from √bhuj 'to enjoy')
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā singular; kr̥tya (कृत्य) / ya (य) formation meaning 'fit to be enjoyed'; agrees with rājyaṃ

• narendrāṇām: of kings
• narendrāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī plural; genitive relation

• yayau: went, proceeded
• yayau: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (धातु) (to go)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect, Prathama-puruṣa singular, Parasmaipada; 'went/proceeded'

• dhṛtimatām: of the steadfast
• dhṛtimatām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhṛti-mat (प्रातिपदिक; dhṛti + matup)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī plural; 'of the steadfast/fortitudinous' (genitive of group)

• varaḥ: the best
• varaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (subject, in apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā singular; apposition to implied subject (Rāma)

Context

There Rama saw the holy Ganga flowing in three (worlds) with her sacred waters, free from moss, and worshipped by sages.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Gaṅgā
• ṛṣi (sages)

FAQs

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

Reverence for sacred places: dharma includes honoring purifying rivers and the spiritual communities (ṛṣis) connected with them.

What is the narrative situation?

During the journey, Rāma comes upon the Gaṅgā and the narration marks it as a sacred, sage-honored river.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s piety and attentiveness to sacred geography—recognizing holiness as part of righteous living.