Shloka 1
एकोनषष्ठितमः सर्गः (Sarga 59): सुमन्त्रवाक्यं, अयोध्याविषादः, दाशरथिशोकसागरः
इति ब्रुवन्तं तं सूतं सुमन्त्रं मन्त्रिसत्तमम्।ब्रूहि शेषं पुनरिति राजा वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.59.1।।
iti bruvantaṃ taṃ sūtaṃ sumantraṃ mantri-sattamam |
brūhi śeṣaṃ punar iti rājā vacanam abravīt ||
Als Sumantra, der Wagenlenker und beste der Minister, so sprach, sagte der König: „Berichte mir den Rest noch einmal.“
Listening to the charioteer, the best of ministers (Sumantra), the king asked him to tell the rest.
FAQs
It emphasizes truthful narration and accountability: the king seeks an accurate account, reflecting the ethical value of faithful testimony (satya) in governance and family duty.
Daśaratha, overwhelmed, asks Sumantra to repeat and continue describing what happened after Rāma departed.
Sumantra’s reliability and integrity as a minister—his role as a truthful witness in a moral crisis.