← 2.46.72 · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa 46: Rāma crosses the Gaṅgā · 2.46.74 →
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.46.73
Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 46: Rāma crosses the Gaṅgā. He sends Sumantra back as proof of departure, forms matted locks with banyan sap and crosses while Sītā prays
In the sequence: in midstream, Sītā prays to the Gaṅgā that Rāma may complete the fourteen years safely with herself and Lakṣmaṇa and return to his Kingdom → she promises worship and gifts of cattle, clothing, and food to brāhmaṇas when they return
2.46.73
gavāṃ śatasahasrāṇi vastrāṇy annaṃ ca peśalam
brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pradāsyāmi tava priyacikīrṣayā
'I shall give to the brahmins hundreds of thousands of cows, garments, and fine food, out of a wish to please you.'
Words: gavāṃ — of cows; śatasahasrāṇi — hundreds of thousands; vastrāṇy — garments; annaṃ ca — and food; peśalam — fine, choice; brāhmaṇebhyaḥ — to the brahmins; pradāsyāmi — I shall give; tava — your; priyacikīrṣayā — out of a wish to do (you) a kindness
Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki, the ādikavi of the ādikāvya: the first poet of the first poem. Sanskrit: The Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: Critical Edition, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1960–1975 (gen. eds. G. H. Bhatt, U. P. Shah); IAST from GRETIL (Göttingen). Translation and word glosses: Claude Opus 4.6–4.7; summaries and sequences: ChatGPT Astra (machine-made). Numbering follows the Critical Edition, not the vulgate (e.g. Gita Press, valmikiramayan.net), so sarga and verse numbers can differ from those editions.