Shloka 12
तमसातीरवासः
Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens
सोऽश्वान्सुमन्त्रः संयम्य सूर्येऽस्तं समुपागते।प्रभूतयवसान् कृत्वा बभूव प्रत्यनन्तरः।।2.46.12।।
so ’śvān sumantraḥ saṁyamya sūrye ’staṁ samupāgate | prabhūta-yavasān kṛtvā babhūva pratyanantaraḥ ||2.46.12||
فلما مالت الشمس إلى الغروب، شدَّ سومانترُ الخيلَ وربطها، وقدّم لها علفًا وافرًا من الشعير، ثم جلس قريبًا منها ملازمًا.
As the Sun was setting, Sumantra tethered the horses, fed them with abundant fodder and sat close to them.
FAQs
Dharma here appears as conscientious service (seva): Sumantra responsibly cares for the horses and remains attentive, showing duty performed without neglect even in hardship.
At dusk during the journey away from Ayodhya, the charioteer Sumantra makes practical arrangements—securing and feeding the horses—before the night’s rest.
Reliability and caretaking: Sumantra’s steady, detail-oriented service and vigilance.