Shloka 2.60.13

षष्टितमः सर्गः — Kausalyā’s Lament and Sumantra’s Consolation (Sītā’s Fearless Forest-Life)

Devanagari script

परिपृच्छति वैदेही ग्रामांश्च नगराणि च।गतिं दृष्ट्वा नदीनां च पादपान्विविधानपि।।2.60.12।।रामं हि लक्ष्मणं वापि पृष्ट्वा जानाति जानकी।अयोध्या क्रोशमात्रे तु विहारमिव संश्रिता।।2.60.13।।

Transliteration

idam eva smarāmy asyāḥ sahasaivopajalpitam |

kaikeyī-saṃśritaṃ vākyaṃ nedānīṃ pratibhāti mā ||

Translation

I remember only this much—that she suddenly uttered some words concerning Kaikeyī; but what they were does not now occur to me.

Context

Seeing villages, cities, trees of different kinds and courses of rivers, Sita is enquiring from Rama or Lakshmana about them. She feels as though she is sporting in the pleasuregarden just a krosa from Ayodhya.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Sita
• Kaikeyi

FAQs

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

It points to responsible speech and truthful reporting: Sumantra avoids inventing details and admits the limits of memory, aligning with satya (truthfulness) as a dharmic duty.

What is the narrative situation?

While recounting the journey and Sītā’s conduct, Sumantra recalls that she said something about Kaikeyī but cannot presently remember the exact words.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness and restraint—Sumantra chooses accuracy over speculation, even when speaking to a grieving queen.