Valmiki Ramayana 2.113.21: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 21

पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च

The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya

Setting: Confluence-region/riverine corridor between Yamunā and Gaṅgā (Prayāga vicinity implied)Places named: यमुना, गङ्गाAfter crossing Yamunā, sighting Gaṅgā again on return route

Devanagari script

ततस्ते यमुनां दिव्यां नदीं तीर्त्वोर्मिमालिनीम् ।

ददृशुस्तां पुन स्सर्वे गङ्गां शुभजलां नदीम् ॥२१॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.113.21

Transliteration

tatas te yamunāṃ divyāṃ nadīṃ tīrtvā ūrmimālinīm |

dadṛśus tāṃ punaḥ sarve gaṅgāṃ śubhajalāṃ nadīm ||21||

Translation

پھر وہ سب موجوں کی مالا سے آراستہ، دیویہ یمنا ندی کو پار کر کے، دوبارہ گنگا ندی کو دیکھنے لگے جس کے جل شُبھ اور مبارک ہیں۔

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Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (काल-अव्यय)
• Role: Kāla (काल)

• te: they
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• yamunām: Yamunā
• Type: Noun
• Root: yamunā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• divyām: divine
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying yamunām/nadīm
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• nadīm: river
• Type: Noun
• Root: nadī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to yamunām
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• tīrtvā: having crossed
• Type: Verb
• Root: tṝ (तॄ धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), ‘having crossed’
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• ūrmimālinīm: wreathed with waves
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ūrmi + mālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तृतीया/षष्ठी sense: ‘with garland of waves’), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying nadīm
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• dadṛśuḥ: saw/beheld
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (दृश् धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• tām: that (river)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• punaḥ: again
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (पुनरावृत्ति-अव्यय)
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• sarve: all
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); in apposition to te
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• gaṅgām: Gaṅgā
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• śubhajalām: with auspicious waters
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha + jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘of auspicious water’), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying gaṅgām/nadīm
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• nadīm: river
• Type: Noun
• Root: nadī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to gaṅgām
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

Sandhi Notes

• tīrtvōrmimālinīm → tīrtvā + ūrmimālinīm
• puna ssarve → punaḥ + sarve (visarga sandhi)
• gaṅgāṃ śubhajalāṃ → gaṅgām + śubhajalām.

Context

Thereafter, all of them crossed the divine river Yamuna wreathed in waves and, beheld the Ganga of sacred waters once again.

The teaching

Sacred geography frames ethical action: journeys of duty are also journeys of purification.

Ethical theme

आचार/तीर्थ-धर्म

Devotion and practice

Supports tīrtha-smaraṇa and inner cleansing; suitable for japa before travel or major decisions.

Deity praised

Gaṅgā (as sacred river)

Form of praise

Vandana (salutation)

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Luminous, purifying, reverent

Themes

• Dharma
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred geography
• Itihasa
• Ethics

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Yamunā
• Gaṅgā

FAQs

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

Dharma is linked with sanctifying movement: crossing sacred rivers signals transition, purification, and renewed commitment to truth-bound action (satya-niṣṭhā).

What is the narrative situation?

The travelers cross the Yamunā and come again into view of the Gaṅgā as they near settled regions.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Perseverance with reverence—continuing the journey while recognizing the sacredness of the landscape.