Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 85
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
पुत्रो दशरथस्यायं महाराजस्य धीमतः।निदेशं पारयित्वेमं गङ्गे त्वदभिरक्षितः।।2.52.83।।चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि समग्राण्युष्य कानने।भ्रात्रा सह मया चैव पुनः प्रत्यागमिष्यति।।2.52.84।।ततस्त्वां देवि सुभगे क्षेमेण पुनरागता।यक्ष्ये प्रमुदिता गङ्गे सर्वकामसमृद्धिनी।।2.52.85।।
putro daśarathasyāyaṃ mahārājasya dhīmataḥ | nideśaṃ pārayitvemaṃ gaṅge tvad-abhirakṣitaḥ || 2.52.83 ||
caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi samagrāṇy uṣya kānane | bhrātrā saha mayā caiva punaḥ pratyāgamiṣyati || 2.52.84 ||
tatas tvāṃ devi subhage kṣemeṇa punar āgatā | yakṣye pramuditā gaṅge sarvakāmasamṛddhinī || 2.52.85 ||
“噢，恒河女神（Gaṅgā），在你的护佑之下，这位睿智的大王达沙拉陀之子必将完成那道命令。于林中圆满住满十四年后，他将再度归来——与其兄弟同归，也与我同归。那时，吉祥的恒河女神啊，待我平安归返，我必欢喜礼敬供奉你——你是成就一切愿望者。”
O Ganga, protected by you, this son (Rama) of Dasaratha, the sagacious maharaja, will carry out his father's command. He along with his brother will return after living in the forest for full fourteen years. O fortunate Devi, he will worship you in delight for fulfilling all his desires after his safe return.
FAQs
Satya and niyama: Sītā affirms Rāma’s unwavering commitment to his father’s command and frames devotion as a vow tied to righteous fulfillment of duty.
Midstream on the Gaṅgā, Sītā prays for protection during exile and vows future worship and offerings upon their safe return.
Sītā’s steadfast faith and Rāma’s truth-bound obedience—confidence that dharma will be completed and recompensed with gratitude.