Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 50, Shloka 13

गङ्गादर्शनम् तथा गुहसमागमः

Vision of the Gaṅgā and Meeting with Guha

Devanagari script

आश्रमैरविदूरस्थैः श्रीमद्भिस्समलङ्कृताम्।कालेऽप्सरोभिर्हृष्टाभि स्सेविताम्भोह्रदां शिवाम्।।2.50.13।।

Transliteration

āśramair avidūra-sthaiḥ śrīmadbhis samalaṅkṛtām |

kāle ’psarobhir hṛṣṭābhis sevitām ambho-hradāṁ śivām || 2.50.13 ||

Translation

ଶୁଭମୟୀ ଗଙ୍ଗା—ତଟରୁ ଅତିଦୂର ନଥିବା ଶ୍ରୀମଦ୍ ଆଶ୍ରମମାନେ ଯାହାକୁ ଅଲଙ୍କୃତ କରିଥିଲେ—କେବେ କେବେ ହର୍ଷିତ ଅପ୍ସରାମାନଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ନିଷେବିତ ହୁଅଥିଲେ; ସେମାନେ ତାଙ୍କର ନିର୍ମଳ ଜଳହ୍ରଦରେ କ୍ରୀଡା କରୁଥିଲେ।

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण) (temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb (sequence)

• tri-patha-gām: flowing in three paths (three worlds)
• tri-patha-gām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier of Gaṅgā)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + patha (प्रातिपदिक) + gā (प्रातिपदिक from √gam 'to go', feminine agent noun 'goer')
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; tatpurusha: 'triṣu patheṣu gacchatīti' (flowing in three courses/worlds)

• divyām: divine
• divyām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; agrees with gaṅgām

• śiva-toyām: with sacred waters
• śiva-toyām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + toya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; tatpurusha: 'śivaṃ toyaṃ yasyāḥ' (having auspicious/sacred water)

• aśaivalām: free from moss
• aśaivalām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (निषेध) + śaivala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; privative adjective 'without moss/algae'

• dadarśa: saw
• dadarśa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु) (to see)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect, Prathama-puruṣa singular, Parasmaipada

• rāghavaḥ: Rāghava (Rama)
• rāghavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā singular

• gaṅgām: Ganga
• gaṅgām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular

• puṇyām: holy
• puṇyām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; agrees with gaṅgām

• ṛṣi-niṣevitām: frequented by sages
• ṛṣi-niṣevitām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक) + ni-ṣevita (कृदन्त; ni+√sev 'to frequent/serve', kta)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā singular; tatpurusha: 'ṛṣibhiḥ niṣevitām' (frequented/served by sages)

Context

Since this river flows through heavens for the gods, it is well-known as 'Devapadmini' where celestial lotuses grow. The river embraces hundreds of hills serving as sporting places and pleasure-gardens for gods.

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Apsarases

FAQs

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

The verse links sacred nature with dharma: hermitages (tapas and restraint) harmonize with the river’s purity, making the landscape itself a support for righteous living.

What is the narrative situation?

During the journey, the Gaṅgā is described as a sanctified riverbank region, close to hermitages and visited even by celestial beings.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indirectly, reverence for sacred places and the ascetic ideal—values that shape Rāma’s dhārmic journey.