Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.81: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 81

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs

Devanagari script

ततस्तैश्चोदिता सा नौः कर्णधारसमाहिता।शुभस्फ्यवेगाभिहता शीघ्रं सलिलमत्यगात्।।2.52.81

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.52.81

Transliteration

tatas taiś coditā sā nauḥ karṇadhārasamāhitā | śubhasphyavegābhihatā śīghraṃ salilam atyagāt || 2.52.81 ||

Translation

ततः तैश्चोदिता सा नौः कर्णधारसमाहिता; शुभस्फ्यवेगाभिहता शीघ्रं सलिलमत्यगात्।

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Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (काल/क्रमवाचक अव्यय)

• taiḥ: by them
• taiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुं), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• coditā: impelled/rowed
• coditā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √cud (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (कर्मणि क्त), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with nauḥ

• sā: that
• sā: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• nauḥ: boat
• nauḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nau (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• karṇadhāra-samāhitā: well-steered by helmsmen
• karṇadhāra-samāhitā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karṇadhāra (प्रातिपदिक) + sam-ā-√dhā/√hā? (धातु) → samāhita (कृदन्त)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) 'provided with/attended by helmsmen'; samāhita = PPP (क्त) from sam-ā-√dhā 'to place/arrange' in sense 'well-appointed'; Feminine, Nominative, Singular; qualifies nauḥ

• śubha-sphya-vega-abhihatā: driven by the force of strong oars
• śubha-sphya-vega-abhihatā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक) + sphya (प्रातिपदिक) + vega (प्रातिपदिक) + abhi-√han (धातु) → abhihata (कृदन्त)
• Form: Multi-member Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष): 'struck/propelled by the speed (vega) of good/strong oars (sphya)'; abhihatā = PPP (क्त) from abhi-√han; Feminine, Nominative, Singular; qualifies nauḥ

• śīghram: swiftly
• śīghram: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śīghra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण द्वितीया)

• salilam: water
• salilam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: salila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• atyagāt: crossed/went beyond
• atyagāt: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ati-√gam (धातु)
• Form: Aorist (लुङ्), Parasmaipada; 3rd person, Singular

Context

The well-ruddered boat rowed by the helmsmen and propelled by strong oars, swiftly crossed the waters of the river.

Characters & Entities

• boat

FAQs

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

Competent service as dharma: the boatmen perform their entrusted task with steadiness and skill, enabling a righteous journey.

What is the narrative situation?

The boat is rowed efficiently and moves swiftly across the river.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Professional diligence and steadiness (of the helmsmen/boatmen) in carrying out duty.