Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.68: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 68
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
Setting: Śṛṅgaverapura (Guha’s Niṣāda realm) on the Gaṅgā bankPlaces named: Gaṅgā, ŚṛṅgaverapuraPreparing for forest-exile crossing and ascetic transformation
तत् क्षीरं राजपुत्राय गुहः क्षिप्रमुपाहरत् ॥६८॥
लक्ष्मणस्यात्मनश्चैव रामस्तेनाकरोज्जटाः ।
tat kṣīraṃ rāja-putrāya guhaḥ kṣipram upāharat ||68||
lakṣmaṇasyātmanaś caiva rāmas tenākaroj jaṭāḥ |
तत् क्षीरं राजपुत्राय गुहः शीघ्रमुपाहरत्। तेन रामो लक्ष्मणश्च स्वात्मनः जटां चकारतुः॥
Sandhi Notes
- क्षिप्रमुपाहरत् → क्षिप्रम् उपाहरत्
- लक्ष्मणस्यात्मनश्चैव → लक्ष्मणस्य आत्मनः च एव
- रामस्तेनाकरोज्जटाः → रामः तेन अकरोत् जटाः
Guha fetched the latex quickly and gave it to the prince (Rama) and with that Rama matted his own hair and Lakshmana's.
The teaching
True adherence to dharma is shown by willingly adopting the disciplines and signs of one’s chosen/ordained path.
- Ethical theme
- Ācāra (right conduct)
For your practice
Cultivates vairāgya and sankalpa—outer simplification supporting inner steadiness.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Resolute, austere, devoted
Themes
- Dharma
- Maryada
- Ethics
- Service
- Ascetic signs
External marks (jaṭā) signify inner vairāgya; the Self remains untouched while roles change (adhyāropa-apavāda style contrast between appearance and essence).
Mundaka-like movement from ritual/social identity to ascetic sign (saṃnyāsa-lakṣaṇa), emphasizing pursuit of higher dharma.
- Guha and Rama
- Ally-host offering service to exiled prince (reverential)
- Rama and Lakshmana
- Elder-younger brother; shared ascetic vow (supportive)
- Guha and Lakshmana
- Ally assisting prince’s companion (respectful)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.33 (Rāma’s resolve for exile; ascetic framing); Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.52 (sequence of exile preparations at Gaṅgā)
Dharmaśāstra/Āraṇyaka ascetic markers (jaṭā, valkala)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Rāma’s acceptance of vanavāsa; later recognition scenes where jaṭā/valkala mark identity (Araṇyakāṇḍa)
Anuṣṭup (Śloka)
Narrative
Madhyama-gati, steady udātta emphasis on action verbs (upāharat/akarot)
FAQs
Dharma appears as cooperative righteousness: Guha serves without hesitation, and Rama adopts the external discipline that matches his pledged life of exile.
Guha procures banyan latex; Rama uses it to mat his own hair and Lakshmana’s, formally marking their transition into forest-life.
Guha’s devoted service and Rama’s resolve to live consistently with his commitment.
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