Shloka 4
एकोनषष्ठितमः सर्गः (Sarga 59): सुमन्त्रवाक्यं, अयोध्याविषादः, दाशरथिशोकसागरः
अग्रतो लक्ष्मणो यातः पालयन्रघुनन्दनम्।तांस्तथा गच्छतो दृष्ट्वा निवृत्तोऽस्म्यवशस्तदा।।2.59.4।।
agrato lakṣmaṇo yātaḥ pālayan raghunandanam | tāṁs tathā gacchato dṛṣṭvā nivṛtto 'smy avaśas tadā || 2.59.4 ||
Lakṣmaṇa ging voraus und schützte Rāma, die Wonne des Raghu-Geschlechts. Als ich sah, wie sie so davongingen, kehrte ich damals um—machtlos.
O queen Kausalya!, I am completely immersed in this ocean of sorrow. The misfortune due to Rama's separation is its breadth. Sita's separation is the other end of the shore. Sighs are its turbulent waves and whirlpools. Tears are its foam and turbid waters. Waving of arms is its fishes. Cries of agony are its roars. My dishevelled hair is its moss. Kaikeyi is the mouth of Badaba. My copious tears are its source. Words of the hunchback (Manthara) are the monstrous crocodiles. The cruel boons to Kaikeyi are its shores. Without Rama I cannot cross this sea of sorrow alive. Ah, whata pity!
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma as protective duty and loyal service: Lakṣmaṇa fulfills his obligation to safeguard Rāma, while the speaker acknowledges the painful necessity of returning despite personal grief.
Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are departing toward the forest for exile; Sumantra watches them go and then returns to Ayodhyā, unable to alter the decision.
Lakṣmaṇa’s vigilance and devotion (sevā-bhāva) are emphasized—he goes ahead as a guardian, embodying steadfast fraternal loyalty.