Valmiki Ramayana 2.89.2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 89, Shloka 2
गङ्गातरणम् · Bharata’s Ferrying of the Army across the Ganga
Spoken by Bharata to ShatrughnaSetting: Gaṅgā riverbank near ŚṛṅgaverapuraPlaces named: Gaṅgā, Śṛṅgaverapura (by implication through Guha)Bharata’s march halted at the river; arranging ferrying across
शत्रुघ्नोत्तिष्ठ किं शेषे निषादाधिपतिं गुहम् ।
शीघ्रमानय भद्रं ते तारयिष्यति वाहिनीम् ॥२॥
śatrughnottiṣṭha kiṃ śeṣe niṣādādhipatiṃ guham |
śīghram ānaya bhadraṃ te tārayiṣyati vāhinīm ||2||
«Śatrughna, levanta-te — por que ainda dormes? Traz depressa Guha, o senhor dos Niṣādas. Bênçãos sobre ti; ele fará a tropa atravessar.»
Sandhi Notes
- śatrughnottiṣṭha → śatrughna + uttiṣṭha
O Satrughna, blessings to you! Why are you still alseep? Arise! fetch Guha the king of the nishadas quickly. He will ferry the army across the river.
The teaching
Timely action and proper delegation are part of rājadharma; righteous aims require practical arrangements.
- Ethical theme
- Rājadharma / leadership
For your practice
Practice of alertness and promptness in service (sevā) to a higher purpose.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Urgent, dutiful, mobilizing
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Maryada
- Itihasa
- Ethics
Calling the one who ‘will ferry’ (tārayiṣyati) parallels the guru/śāstra as that which helps one cross ignorance.
The ‘crossing’ idiom resonates with ‘pāra’/‘tīrṇa’ language common to Upaniṣadic liberation metaphors (general echo).
Prātaḥkāla (implied by ‘rise’ and end of night)
- Bharata and Śatrughna
- Elder brother instructing younger brother (commanding)
- Bharata and Guha
- Royal prince seeking aid from allied tribal chief (respectful)
- Guha and Bharata’s army
- Local ruler providing passage/assistance to royal forces (supportive)
- Śatrughna and Guha
- Envoy/liaison tasked to summon ally (purposeful)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.89 (Bharata at Gaṅgā; summoning Guha)
Itihāsa motif of seeking local chieftain’s aid for passage (river as strategic threshold)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa earlier: Bharata’s resolve to meet Rāma; later: Guha’s hospitality and ferry arrangements
Anuṣṭup
Commanding
Tīvra/udātta on imperatives ‘uttiṣṭha’, ‘ānaya’ with brisk cadence
FAQs
It reflects dharma as prudent, non-violent governance: Bharata chooses a lawful, cooperative means—seeking the local ruler’s assistance—rather than forcing passage, showing respect for people and place while fulfilling duty.
Satya here is practical fidelity to purpose: Bharata’s truthful intent (to proceed rightly in Rama’s matter) is matched by transparent action—openly summoning Guha and arranging safe passage for the host without deceit or coercion.
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