Valmiki Ramayana 2.89.8: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 89, Shloka 8
गङ्गातरणम् · Bharata’s Ferrying of the Army across the Ganga
Setting: Guha’s settlement/town near the Gaṅgā (Śṛṅgaverapura)Mobilization for Gaṅgā crossing
ततो गुह स्सन्त्वरितं श्रुत्वा भरतशासनम् ।
प्रति प्रविश्य नगरं तं ज्ञातिजनमब्रवीत् ॥८॥
tato guhaḥ santvaritaṃ śrutvā bharataśāsanam |
prati praviśya nagaraṃ taṃ jñātijanam abravīt ||8||
ครั้นนั้นคุหะได้ฟังพระบัญชาของพระภรตโดยฉับไว ก็เข้าไปในชุมชนของตน แล้วกล่าวแก่ญาติพี่น้องของตน
Sandhi Notes
- guha ssantvaritam → guhaḥ + santvaritam
- bharataśāsanam (compound)
- jñātijanamabravīt → jñātijanam + abravīt
Then at Bharata's command Guha returned to his habitation quickly and said to his relations:
The teaching
Prompt service to a righteous cause is itself dharma; leadership means mobilizing one’s community for timely help.
- Ethical theme
- Community duty and righteous assistance
For your practice
Encourages sevā-bhāva—respond quickly when dharma calls for practical help.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Swift, organized, responsive
Themes
- Dharma
- Service
- Prompt action
- Itihasa
Efficient action (pravṛtti) as yajña-like service—work done as offering, without personal friction.
The social ethic of cooperation (saṃgacchadhvaṃ) resonates with Ṛgvedic concord hymn often echoed in later dharmic literature.
- Guha and Bharata
- Obedient ally executing royal instruction (supportive)
- Guha and kinsmen
- Clan leader mobilizing relatives/tribe (directive)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.89.3 (Bharata’s request); Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.89.5-6 (crossing and onward march)
Mahābhārata: local chiefs aiding royal travelers (various tīrtha-yātrā logistics)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Guha’s earlier readiness to serve Rama and Lakṣmaṇa (hospitality episode)
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Narrative
Brisk tempo, slightly elevated pitch on ‘सन्त्वरितम्’ to convey haste
FAQs
Dharma is shown as dutiful service and responsiveness: Guha promptly acts to fulfill a legitimate request, supporting righteous travel and order.
Guha moves swiftly to mobilize his people to arrange the crossing after Bharata’s request.
Efficiency and reliability in service—Guha acts without delay.
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