Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.78: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 78
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
Setting: Aboard the boat on the GaṅgāPlaces named: Gaṅgā (context)Crossing underway; protective rites during transit
राघवोऽपि महातेजा नावमारुह्य तां ततः ।
ब्रह्मवत् क्षत्रवच्चैव जजाप हितमात्मनः ॥७८॥
rāghavo 'pi mahātejā nāvam āruhya tāṃ tataḥ |
brahmavat kṣatravac caiva jajāpa hitam ātmanaḥ ||78||
మహాతేజస్సుగల రాఘవుడు కూడా ఆ పడవను ఎక్కి, బ్రాహ్మణునికి తగినట్లూ క్షత్రియునికి తగినట్లూ, తన రక్షణార్థం శుభమంత్రాలను జపించెను।
Sandhi Notes
- राघवोऽपि = राघवः + अपि (ः + अ → ओऽ)
- नावमारुह्य = नावम् + आरुह्य
- क्षत्रवच्चैव = क्षत्रवत् + च + एव
Resplendent Rama boarded the boat and muttered for his own safety mantras befitting brahmins and kshatriyas.
The teaching
The ideal ruler unites inner and outer protection: mantra (brahmavat) and valor (kṣatravat) together sustain dharma in uncertain passages.
- Ethical theme
- Svadharma-samanvaya (integration of duties)
Devotion and practice
Model for daily practice: quiet japa before/while undertaking risky transitions; cultivate inner protection through remembrance and disciplined breath-speech.
- Form of praise
- Mantra-japa (rakṣā-prayoga)
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Recollected, auspicious, protected
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Ritual Discipline
- Itihasa
- Maryada
Mantra-japa as inward turning (antar-mukhatā) that steadies prāṇa and mind; protection arises from alignment with ṛta/dharma rather than mere external force.
Sacred sound as support recalls Upaniṣadic primacy of Oṃ and brahman as śabda; the quiet japa suggests interiorization of the sacred (antar-yajña).
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 1.1 (Rāma as dharmātmā—inner righteousness consistent with mantra-protection)
Vedic rakṣā-mantras and prayoga traditions (general); Kṣatriya protective rites and brāhmaṇa japa disciplines in Smṛti/Itihāsa culture
Rāma’s reliance on dharma and sacred observance throughout exile (Ayodhyākāṇḍa and Araṇyakāṇḍa)
Anuṣṭup
Solemn
Manda (slow) with subdued tone to reflect ‘jajāpa’ (soft japa)
FAQs
Dharma is integrated conduct: Rāma unites spiritual discipline (brāhmaṇa-like recitation) with warrior responsibility (kṣatriya propriety), seeking rightful protection without abandoning duty.
During the river crossing, after boarding the boat, Rāma performs protective recitation suited to his dual ideals of sacred restraint and royal duty.
Reverent self-discipline—Rāma maintains inner steadiness and sacred practice even in transit and uncertainty.
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