Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 45
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
अहं किं चापि वक्ष्यामि देवीं तव सुतो मया।नीतोऽसौ मातुलकुलं सन्तापं मा कृथा इति।।2.52.45।।
ahaṃ kiṃ cāpi vakṣyāmi devīṃ tava suto mayā | nīto ’sau mātula-kulaṃ santāpaṃ mā kṛthā iti ||
मी देवी कौसल्येला काय सांगू—‘तुमचा पुत्र मी मामा-घराण्यात नेला आहे, दुःख करू नका’—जणू तेच सत्य आहे?
What shall I say to Kausalya? Shall I say 'O venerable queen! I have left your son at his maternal uncle's, hence don't grieve'.
FAQs
Satya (truthfulness) is central: Sumantra refuses to mask a painful reality with a convenient falsehood, even if the lie might momentarily reduce grief.
Sumantra worries about how he can face Kauśalyā in Ayodhyā and report that Rāma is gone to the forest.
Integrity in speech (satya) joined with compassion—he fears causing pain, yet will not deceive.