Shloka 2.52.52
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम् (Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs)
प्रसीदेच्छामि तेऽरण्ये भवितुं प्रत्यनन्तरः।प्रीत्याऽभिहितमिच्छामि भव मे प्रत्यनन्तरः।।2.52.52।।
prasīdecchāmi te 'raṇye bhavituṃ pratyanantaraḥ |
prītyābhihitam icchāmi bhava me pratyanantaraḥ ||2.52.52||
Be gracious to me; I wish to stay close beside you in the forest, never straying. In affection I long to hear you say, “Stay near me.”
Be pleased. I wish to stay with you in the forest I long to hear from you these favourable words, 'Stay with me'.
Dharma is expressed as faithful attendance: a servant seeks permission to remain near the righteous one, showing that service is grounded in consent, humility, and propriety.
Sumantra continues his emotional request to accompany Rama into the forest and seeks Rama’s explicit approval.
Humility and affectionate fidelity—Sumantra does not presume entitlement but begs for Rama’s gracious assent.