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

मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम्

The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa

Devanagari script

विचित्रपुलिनां रम्यां हंससारससेविताम्।कमलैरुपसम्पन्नां पश्य मन्दाकिनीं नदीम्।।।।

Transliteration

vicitrapulināṃ ramyāṃ haṃsasārasasevitām | kamalair upasampannāṃ paśya mandākinīṃ nadīm ||

Translation

Masdan mo, mahal, ang kaakit-akit na ilog Mandākinī—ang mga pampang nitong buhanginan ay sari-saring ganda, dinadalaw ng mga gansa at sārasā, at sagana sa mga lotus.

Word by Word

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Context

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

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.