Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.6: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 6

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

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

Spoken by RamaSetting: तīrtha (sacred ford) on a river (implied crossing point)Places named: तीर्थे (sacred ford)Preparing to cross during departure toward forest-exile

Devanagari script

अस्य वाहनसंयुक्तां कर्णग्राहवतीं शुभाम् ।

सुप्रतारां दृढां तीर्थे शीघ्रं नावमुपाहर ॥६॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.52.6

Transliteration

asya vāhanasaṃyuktāṃ karṇagrāhavatīṃ śubhām |

supratārāṃ dṛḍhāṃ tīrthe śīghraṃ nāvam upāhara ||6||

Translation

تیرتھ کے گھاٹ پر فوراً ایک مضبوط اور مبارک کشتی لے آؤ، جو سازوسامان سے آراستہ ہو اور ملاحوں کے ساتھ ہو، تاکہ پار اترنا آسان اور بےخطر ہو۔

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Word by Word

• अस्य: for him/of him
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसक-सम्भव, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन
• Role: सम्बन्ध (Genitive—‘for him/of him’)

• वाहनसंयुक्ताम्: equipped with conveyance/gear
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाहन + संयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: वाहनेन संयुक्ता; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘नावम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण
• Role: कर्म (Karma/Object—qualifier)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• कर्णग्राहवतीम्: having a helm/steering-oar
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्ण + ग्राहवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: कर्णग्राहः (steering-oar/helm) तद्वती; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘नावम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण
• Role: कर्म (Karma/Object—qualifier)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• शुभाम्: auspicious
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘नावम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण
• Role: कर्म (Karma/Object—qualifier)

• सुप्रताराम्: easy to ferry across
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + प्रतार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास: सु + प्रतार; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘नावम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण
• Role: कर्म (Karma/Object—qualifier)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• दृढाम्: strong
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘नावम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण
• Role: कर्म (Karma/Object—qualifier)

• तीर्थे: at the ford/bank
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)

• शीघ्रम्: quickly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शीघ्रम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)
• Role: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)

• नावम्: boat
• Type: Noun
• Root: नौ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: कर्म (Karma/Object)

• उपाहर: bring/fetch
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + आ + हृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन
• Role: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)

Sandhi Notes

• नावमुपाहर = नावम् + उपाहर (anusvāra before vowel)

Context

Get quickly to the sacred bank (of Ganga) a strong, auspicious boat equipped with rowing rods and helmsmen who can help cross the river with ease!

The teaching

Even in renunciation/exile, dharma includes prudent preparation and care for companions—right means for right ends.

Ethical theme

Practical dharma (yātrā-nīti); responsibility

How it resolves

Practical compliance with safe conduct

For your practice

Contemplate ‘crossing’ as inner transition; emphasizes disciplined preparation as part of sādhana.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Urgent, practical, resolute

Themes

• Dharma
• Practical righteousness
• Itihasa
• Ethics
• Maryada
• Satya

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• tīrtha (sacred ford/bank)
• Gaṅgā (implied by context: crossing to the sacred bank)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as prudent action: righteousness includes careful preparation and safeguarding others during a difficult transition (the river crossing).

What is the narrative situation?

Arrangements are being made to cross the river (Gaṅgā implied), requiring a sturdy, well-equipped boat at the sacred landing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s practical responsibility—calm, orderly planning while remaining committed to his truthful vow and exile.