Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 101

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

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

Devanagari script

स लोकपालप्रतिमप्रभाववांस्तीर्त्वा महात्मा वरदो महानदीम्।ततः समृद्धान् शुभसस्यमालिनःक्रमेण वत्सान् मुदितानुपागमत्।।2.52.101।।

Transliteration

sa lokapāla-pratima-prabhāvāṃs tīrtvā mahātmā varado mahānadīm | tataḥ samṛddhān śubha-sasya-mālinaḥ krameṇa vatsān muditān upāgamat ||

Translation

渡过那浩大的河流后，他——大心之人、赐福者，光辉如护世者——便循序来到跋蹉之地：富饶兴盛，良田如饰，其民欢悦。

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• lokapāla-pratima-prabhāvān: having splendour like the world-protectors
• lokapāla-pratima-prabhāvān: Karta (कर्ता) (as qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lokapāla (प्रातिपदिक) + pratima (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi compound; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); ‘having splendour like the Lokapālas’

• tīrtvā: having crossed
• tīrtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tṝ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), ‘having crossed’

• mahātmā: the great-souled one
• mahātmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); epithet in apposition

• varadaḥ: bestower of boons
• varadaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); epithet

• mahānadīm: the great river
• mahānadīm: Karma (कर्म) (object of 'tīrtvā')
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-nadī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya compound; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (कालवाचक अव्यय)

• samṛddhān: prosperous
• samṛddhān: Karma (कर्म) (as qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifying 'vatsān'

• śubha-sasya-mālinaḥ: adorned with fine crops
• śubha-sasya-mālinaḥ: Karma (कर्म) (as qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक) + sasya (प्रातिपदिक) + mālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi compound; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifying 'vatsān'

• krameṇa: gradually, in due course
• krameṇa: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Instrumental used adverbially; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vatsān: the Vatsa country/region
• vatsān: Karma (कर्म) (object of 'upāgamat')
• Type: Noun
• Root: vatsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); country-name sense

• muditān: joyful
• muditān: Karma (कर्म) (as qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mudita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifying 'vatsān'

• upāgamat: reached
• upāgamat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√gam (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

Context

Rama then caressed Sumantra with his right hand and said, Sumantra, go back immediately and never be inattentive in serving the king.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Gaṅgā (implied by sequence)

FAQs

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

Dharma as protective radiance: Rāma is portrayed with the majesty of a lokapāla, suggesting the ideal ruler’s duty to uphold order and welfare even while personally suffering exile.

What is the narrative situation?

After crossing the great river, Rāma proceeds onward and reaches the prosperous Vatsa region in stages.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Mahātmatā (nobility of spirit) and steadiness—Rāma’s journey continues with calm purpose and dignified presence.