Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 13
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
ततोऽब्रवीद्दाशरथिः सुमन्त्रं स्पृशन् करेणोत्तमदक्षिणेन।सुमन्त्र शीघ्रं पुनरेव याहिराज्ञः सकाशे भव चाप्रमत्तः।।2.52.13।।
tato 'bravīd dāśarathiḥ sumantraṃ spṛśan kareṇottamadakṣiṇena | sumantra śīghraṃ punar eva yāhi rājñaḥ sakāśe bhava cāpramattaḥ ||
तब दाशरथि श्रीराम ने अपने उत्तम दाहिने हाथ से सुमंत्र को स्नेहपूर्वक स्पर्श करके कहा— “सुमंत्र, शीघ्र लौट जाओ; राजा के समीप रहो और सेवा में सदा सावधान रहो।”
Famished, they (Rama and Lakshmana) killed a boar, a rishya (white-footed male antelope), a spotted deer and a great deer with black stripes. They partook the meat and reached a tree by evening where they rested for the night.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē dvipañcāśa ssargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fiftysecond sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
Svadharma in roles: Rāma ensures Sumantra returns to his rightful duty—faithful, vigilant attendance upon the king.
At the Gaṅgā crossing stage, Rāma releases Sumantra from accompanying them and instructs him to serve Daśaratha carefully.
Rāma’s compassion and propriety: he dismisses Sumantra kindly and safeguards the king’s well-being through reliable service.