Shloka 2.57.4

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

Devanagari script

स वनानि सुगन्धीनि सरितश्च सरांसि च।पश्यन्नतिययौ शीघ्रं ग्रामाणि नगराणि च।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ sāyāhna-samaye tṛtīye 'hani sārathiḥ |

ayodhyāṁ samanuprāpya nirānandāṁ dadarśa ha ||

Translation

Then, at dusk on the third day, the charioteer reached Ayodhyā and beheld the city bereft of joy.

Context

Beholding the fragrance-filled forests, rivers, lakes, villages and towns on the way, Sumantra quickly crossed them.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Ayodhyā

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the communal cost of dharma-bound decisions: Rāma’s truthful adherence to duty results in collective sorrow, showing how righteousness can demand sacrifice.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra arrives back in Ayodhyā after escorting Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa toward exile, and he finds the capital plunged into grief.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truth-aligned acceptance (satya-niṣṭhā) is implied: the city’s sorrow arises because Rāma does not deviate from the truth-bound course of exile.