Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 95, Shloka 2

मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम्

The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa

Devanagari script

अब्रवीच्च वरारोहां चारुचन्द्रनिभाननाम्।विदेहराजस्य सुतां रामो राजीवलोचनः।।।।

Transliteration

abravīc ca varārohāṃ cārucandranibhānanām | videharājasya sutāṃ rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ ||

Translation

तेव्हा कमलनयन श्रीरामांनी, सुंदर चंद्रासारख्या मुखाची, सुकुमार देहयष्टीची विदेहराजकन्या सीतेशी बोलले।

Word by Word

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• वर-आरोहाम्: to the fair-limbed (lady)
• वर-आरोहाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक) + आरोहा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः; विशेषण (qualifying सुताम्/मैथिलीम् understood)

• चारु-चन्द्र-निभ-आननाम्: whose face resembled the lovely moon
• चारु-चन्द्र-निभ-आननाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारु (प्रातिपदिक) + चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + निभ (प्रातिपदिक) + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (she whose face is like the lovely moon)

• विदेह-राजस्य: of the king of Videha
• विदेह-राजस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदेह (प्रातिपदिक) + राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (king of Videha)

• सुताम्: daughter
• सुताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• राजीव-लोचनः: lotus-eyed
• राजीव-लोचनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजीव (प्रातिपदिक) + लोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (he whose eyes are lotus-like)

Context

O my auspicious Sita, sweet-voiced Chakravaka birds singing in most pleasant tones are alighting on those heaps of flowers.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• Videha
• Videharāja (Janaka)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as maryādā (respectful conduct) in relationships: Rāma addresses Sītā with honor and tenderness, reflecting righteous, considerate speech.

What is the narrative situation?

During the forest sojourn near Citrakūṭa and the Mandākinī, Rāma begins speaking to Sītā, setting up his appreciative description of the place and their life there.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s gentleness and relational integrity—he treats Sītā as a respected partner even amid hardship.