Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.88 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 88

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

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

Devanagari script

सा त्वां देवि नमस्यामि प्रशंसामि च शोभने।प्राप्तराज्ये नरव्याघ्रे शिवेन पुनरागते।।2.52.87।।गवां शतसहस्राणि वस्त्राण्यन्नं च पेशलम्।ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रदास्यामि तव प्रियचिकीर्षया।।2.52.88।।

Transliteration

sā tvāṃ devi namasyāmi praśaṃsāmi ca śobhane | prāptarājye naravyāghre śivena punar āgate || 2.52.87 ||

gavāṃ śatasahasrāṇi vastrāṇy annaṃ ca peśalam | brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pradāsyāmi tava priyacikīrṣayā || 2.52.88 ||

Translation

“Kaya, O Diyosa, ikaw ay aking pinupugayan at pinupuri, O marikit. Kapag ang tigre sa mga tao ay nagbalik nang mapalad at muling nagkamit ng kaharian, magbibigay ako sa mga brāhmaṇa ng sandaang libong baka, mga kasuotan, at masasarap na pagkain—upang gawin ang nakalulugod sa iyo.”

Word by Word

• gavām: of cows
• gavām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive, Plural

• śata-sahasrāṇi: a hundred thousand
• śata-sahasrāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata (प्रातिपदिक) + sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvigu (द्विगु) numeral compound 'hundred-thousands' (= one hundred thousand); Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• vastrāṇi: garments
• vastrāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vastra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• annam: food
• annam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• peśalam: excellent/delicate
• peśalam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: peśala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; qualifies annam

• brāhmaṇebhyaḥ: to Brahmins
• brāhmaṇebhyaḥ: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Plural

• pradāsyāmi: I will give
• pradāsyāmi: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√dā (धातु)
• Form: Future (लृट्), Parasmaipada; 1st person, Singular

• tava: your
• tava: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Genitive, Singular

• priya-cikīrṣayā: with the intention of pleasing (you)
• priya-cikīrṣayā: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक) + cikīrṣā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) 'desire/intention to do what is pleasing'; Feminine, Instrumental, Singular; expresses purpose/motive

Context

O Ganga, protected by you, this son (Rama) of Dasaratha, the sagacious maharaja, will carry out his father's command. He along with his brother will return after living in the forest for full fourteen years. O fortunate Devi, he will worship you in delight for fulfilling all his desires after his safe return.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Gaṅgā
• Rāma (naravyāghra)
• brāhmaṇas
• cows
• garments
• kingdom (rājya)

FAQs

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

Dāna and kṛtajñatā (gratitude): Sītā links divine protection with a vow of charity to brāhmaṇas, expressing dharma through generous restitution.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā completes her prayer by promising offerings and charitable gifts after Rāma’s safe return and restoration.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s gratitude and integrity—she makes a concrete vow of giving, grounded in faith and righteous hope.