Valmiki Ramayana 2.95.3: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 95, Shloka 3

मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम्

The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa

Spoken by Rama to SitaSetting: Mandākinī river at CitrakūṭaPlaces named: MandākinīExile sojourn; sightseeing along the bank

Devanagari script

विचित्रपुलिनां रम्यां हंससारससेविताम् ।

कमलैरुपसम्पन्नां पश्य मन्दाकिनीं नदीम् ॥३॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.95.3

Transliteration

vicitrapulināṃ ramyāṃ haṃsasārasasevitām |

kamalair upasampannāṃ paśya mandākinīṃ nadīm ||3||

Translation

पश्य प्रिये मन्दाकिनीं नदीं रम्यां विचित्रपुलिनां हंससारससेविताम्। कमलैरुपसम्पन्नां मनोहरां सरितां शुभाम्॥

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Word by Word

• विचित्र-पुलिनाम्: having variegated sandbanks
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पुलिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः; विशेषण (qualifying नदीम्)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• रम्याम्: charming
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• हंस-सारस-सेविताम्: frequented by geese and cranes
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हंस (प्रातिपदिक) + सारस (प्रातिपदिक) + सेवित (सेव्-धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) 'सेवित'; तत्पुरुषः (frequented by geese and cranes)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• कमलैः: with lotuses
• Type: Noun
• Root: कमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन
• Role: Karana (करण)

• उपसम्पन्नाम्: adorned/provided
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-सम्-पद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (adorned/provided with)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• पश्य: see
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्, परस्मैपद; मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• मन्दाकिनीम्: Mandakini
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्दाकिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• नदीम्: river
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

Sandhi Notes

• हंससारससेविताम् = हंस-सारस-सेविताम्
• कमलैरुपसम्पन्नाम् = कमलैः + उपसम्पन्नाम्

Context

Look at this enchanting river Mandakini with its variegated sandbanks frequented by geese and swans and adorned with lotuses.

The teaching

Sharing beauty with one’s companion transforms hardship into a field for gratitude and steadiness.

Ethical theme

Saṃtoṣa and saṅgati (contentment and supportive companionship)

For your practice

Practice of appreciative attention (smṛti of the good) to stabilize the heart; cultivating gentle speech.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shringara (love)

Mood

Inviting, fresh, delightful

Themes

• Itihasa
• Dharma
• Vanavasa
• Nature
• Satya

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Mandākinī
• haṃsa (geese)
• sārasa (cranes)
• kamala (lotus)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as steadiness and right-heartedness in exile: Rāma comforts Sītā by directing her mind to what is pure and uplifting, showing that righteous living includes caring for another’s well-being even amid hardship.

What is the narrative situation?

During forest life near Citrakūṭa, Rāma points out the Mandākinī to Sītā, describing its beauty and serenity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s compassion and attentiveness—he actively supports Sītā’s emotional strength by sharing wonder and peace in the wilderness.