Valmiki Ramayana 2.89.12 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 89, Shloka 12

गङ्गातरणम्

Bharata’s Ferrying of the Army across the Ganga

Devanagari script

तत स्स्वस्तिकविज्ञेयां पाण्डुकम्बलसंवृताम्।सनन्दिघोषां कल्याणीं गुहो नावमुपाहरत्।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ svastikavijñeyāṃ pāṇḍukambalasaṃvṛtām | sanandighoṣāṃ kalyāṇīṃ guho nāvam upāharat ||

Translation

Kemudian Guha membawa ke hadapan sebuah perahu bertuah yang dikenali sebagai ‘Svastika’, diselubungi kain putih, bergema dengan bunyi yang merdu dan membawa kebaikan.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/देशवाचक अव्यय (then/thereupon)

• स्वस्तिक-विज्ञेयाम्: known as ‘Swastika’
• स्वस्तिक-विज्ञेयाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वस्तिक (प्रातिपदिक) + विज्ञेय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √ज्ञा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; qualifying नावम्

• पाण्डु-कम्बल-संवृताम्: covered with white canvas
• पाण्डु-कम्बल-संवृताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाण्डु (प्रातिपदिक) + कम्बल (प्रातिपदिक) + संवृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √वृ with sam-)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘covered with pale/white canvas/blanket’

• स-नन्दि-घोषाम्: with delightful sound
• स-नन्दि-घोषाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय) + नन्दि (प्रातिपदिक) + घोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘having pleasing/joyous sound’

• कल्याणीम्: auspicious, beautiful
• कल्याणीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कल्याणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; qualifying नावम्

• गुहः: Guha
• गुहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (proper noun)

• नावम्: boat
• नावम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नौ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• उपाहरत्: brought near
• उपाहरत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-आ-हृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

The family priest (Vasistha) and other brahmins were the first to board. Next mightyBharata and Satrughna, Kausalya, Sumitra, women of the palace including the other wives of the king and wagons and supplies followed.

Characters & Entities

• Guha

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as respectful hospitality and assistance to travelers—Guha supports the righteous journey by providing the best means for safe crossing.

What is the narrative situation?

Guha personally produces a distinguished boat for the crossing, indicating the importance of the guests and the seriousness of the task.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Guha’s devotion, generosity, and readiness to serve without hesitation.