Valmiki Ramayana 2.89.11 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 89, Shloka 11

गङ्गातरणम्

Bharata’s Ferrying of the Army across the Ganga

Devanagari script

अन्या स्स्वस्तिकविज्ञेया महाघंटाधरा वराः।शोभमानाः पताकाभिर्युक्तवातास्सुसंहताः।।।।

Transliteration

anyāḥ svastikavijñeyā mahāghaṇṭādharā varāḥ | śobhamānāḥ patākābhir yuktavātāḥ susaṃhatāḥ ||

Translation

“ଅନ୍ୟ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ନୌକାମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଆଣାଗଲା—‘ସ୍ୱସ୍ତିକ’ ନାମେ ପରିଚିତ—ଦୃଢ଼ ନିର୍ମିତ, ପତାକାରେ ଶୋଭିତ, ପତାକାପଟ (ପାଲ) ଯୁକ୍ତ ଏବଂ ବଡ଼ ଘଣ୍ଟା ଧାରଣ କରିଥିବା।”

Word by Word

• अन्याः: others (boats)
• अन्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (implicit) नावः as head-noun

• स्वस्तिक-विज्ञेयाः: known as ‘Swastika’
• स्वस्तिक-विज्ञेयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वस्तिक (प्रातिपदिक) + विज्ञेय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √ज्ञा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘known as Swastika’

• महाघण्टा-धराः: bearing large bells
• महाघण्टा-धराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + घण्टा (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √धृ)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘bearing big bells’

• वराः: excellent
• वराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘excellent’ qualifying boats

• शोभमानाः: shining, splendid
• शोभमानाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुभ्/शोभ् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ (Present Active Participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘shining/appearing splendid’

• पताकाभिः: with flags
• पताकाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पताका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• युक्त-वाताः: fitted with sails
• युक्त-वाताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √युज्) + वात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘having wind/sails fitted’ (i.e., with sails)

• सु-संहताः: well-built, solid
• सु-संहताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + संहत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √हन् with sam-)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘well-compacted/solidly built’

Context

Then Guha personally brought an auspicious boat known as Swastika covered with white canvas and generating captivating sounds.

Characters & Entities

• boats
• flags (patākā)

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as preparedness and collective support: resources are arranged to ensure safe passage for all, reflecting care for the community rather than individual convenience.

What is the narrative situation?

Multiple well-equipped boats are assembled for transporting Bharata’s party and their retinue across the river.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Guha’s and the attendants’ practical service-mindedness is implied through the provision of strong, well-equipped boats.