Valmiki Ramayana 2.89.4: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 89, Shloka 4

गङ्गातरणम् · Bharata’s Ferrying of the Army across the Ganga

Setting: Gaṅgā riverbank near ŚṛṅgaverapuraPlaces named: Śṛṅgaverapura (implied), GaṅgāCoordination with Guha for crossing and hospitality

Devanagari script

इति संवदतोरेवमन्योन्यं नरसिंहयोः ।

आगम्य प्राञ्जलिः काले गुहो भरतमब्रवीत् ॥४॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.89.4

Transliteration

iti saṃvadator evam anyonyaṃ narasiṃhayoḥ |

āgamya prāñjaliḥ kāle guho bharatam abravīt ||4||

Translation

یوں اُن دو شیرصفت مردوں کی باہمی گفتگو ہی ہو رہی تھی کہ عین وقت پر گُہَ آیا اور ہاتھ جوڑ کر بھرت سے عرض کیا۔

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Word by Word

• iti: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle
• Role: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/भाव)

• saṃvadatoḥ: while the two were conversing
• Type: Verb
• Root: saṃ-√vad (धातु)
• Form: Śatṛ (present active participle) in dual genitive/locative: Ṣaṣṭhī/Saptamī, Dvivacana; 'of the two conversing / while the two were conversing'
• Role: Kāla (काल)

• evam: in this way
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb
• Role: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• anyonyaṃ: mutually
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anyonya (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Reciprocal adverbial accusative (avyayībhāva-like usage): 'with each other'
• Role: Sahakāri (सहकारी/भाव)

• narasiṃhayoḥ: of the two lions among men
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara + siṃha (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: 'narāṇāṃ siṃhau' (lions among men); Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Gen/6th), Dvivacana (dual)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• āgamya: having arrived
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√gam (धातु)
• Form: Ktvā-anta (absolutive): 'having come/arrived'
• Role: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)

• prāñjaliḥ: with folded palms
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prāñjali (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (Nom/1st), Ekavacana; 'with folded hands'
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• kāle: at the right time
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī (Loc/7th), Ekavacana; 'at the proper time'
• Role: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)

• guhaḥ: Guha
• Type: Noun
• Root: guha (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (Nom/1st), Ekavacana
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• bharatam: to Bharata
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc/2nd), Ekavacana
• Role: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)

• abravīt: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ-lakāra (Aorist), Parasmaipada; Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• saṃvadator evam → saṃvadatoḥ + evam
• bharatamabravīt → bharatam + abravīt

Context

While the two lions among men, Bharata and Satrughna were thus conversing with each other, Guha came in the appropriate time and said to Bharata with folded palms:

The teaching

Dharma is upheld through timely, respectful conduct—strength tempered by humility.

Ethical theme

Sadācāra / rājadharma

For your practice

Cultivating humility (añjali-bhāva) and punctuality in service.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)

Mood

Timely, courteous, composed

Themes

• Dharma
• Maryada
• Hospitality
• Respectful conduct
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Guha
• Bharata
• Śatrughna

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown through maryādā (propriety): Guha approaches at an appropriate time and with respectful gestures, modeling righteous social conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata and Śatrughna are speaking when Guha arrives to communicate with Bharata, setting up the arrangements connected to their onward journey.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Guha’s humility and reverence—his folded hands indicate disciplined respect toward a royal guest.