Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 48
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
तन्न शक्ष्याम्यहं गन्तुमयोध्यां त्वदृतेऽनघ।वनवासानुयानाय मामनुज्ञातुमर्हसि।।2.52.48।।
tan na śakṣyāmy ahaṃ gantum ayodhyāṃ tvadṛte ’nagha | vanavāsānuyānāya mām anu-jñātum arhasi ||
Therefore, O sinless one, I cannot go to Ayodhyā without you. You ought to grant me permission to follow you into forest-exile.
That is why, O sinless one! I cannot go back to Ayodhya without you. Allow me to accompany you into your exile.
FAQs
The dharma of service and loyalty: Sumantra sees abandoning Rāma as morally impossible, seeking to align his duty with the righteous person rather than mere protocol.
Sumantra asks Rāma for consent to accompany him into the forest instead of returning alone to Ayodhyā.
Fidelity (niṣṭhā) and selfless service (sevā).