Shloka 2.57.21

सप्तपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Sumantra’s Return to Ayodhya and the Palace’s Lament

Devanagari script

सह रामेण निर्यातो विना राम मिहागतः।सूतः किन्नाम कौसल्यां शोचन्तीं प्रतिवक्ष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

saha rāmeṇa niryāto vinā rāmam ihāgataḥ |

sūtaḥ kiṃ nāma kausalyāṃ śocantīṃ prativakṣyati ||

Translation

He departed with Rāma, yet has returned here without Rāma—what can the charioteer possibly say in reply to grieving Kausalyā?

Context

The charioteer left with Rama and returned without him. What can he say to the wailing Kausalya?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sumantra (sūta)
• Kausalyā

FAQs

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

Dharma centers on satya-vākya (truthful speech) tempered by compassion: delivering painful truth to a grieving mother must be done responsibly and gently.

What is the narrative situation?

Seeing Sumantra return alone, the queens anticipate the difficult moment of informing Kausalyā that Rāma is not with him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassion and moral sensitivity: awareness that truth must be spoken with care when it will deepen another’s sorrow.