Shloka 2.52.45

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम् (Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs)

Devanagari script

अहं किं चापि वक्ष्यामि देवीं तव सुतो मया।नीतोऽसौ मातुलकुलं सन्तापं मा कृथा इति।।2.52.45।।

Transliteration

ahaṃ kiṃ cāpi vakṣyāmi devīṃ tava suto mayā | nīto ’sau mātula-kulaṃ santāpaṃ mā kṛthā iti ||

Translation

What could I possibly say to Queen Kauśalyā—“Your son has been taken by me to his maternal uncle’s house; do not grieve”—as though that were the truth?

Context

What shall I say to Kausalya? Shall I say 'O venerable queen! I have left your son at his maternal uncle's, hence don't grieve'.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Rāma
• Kauśalyā
• mātula-kula (maternal uncle’s household)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Satya (truthfulness) is central: Sumantra refuses to mask a painful reality with a convenient falsehood, even if the lie might momentarily reduce grief.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra worries about how he can face Kauśalyā in Ayodhyā and report that Rāma is gone to the forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity in speech (satya) joined with compassion—he fears causing pain, yet will not deceive.