Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 51
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
त्वत्कृते न मयाऽवाप्तं रथचर्याकृतं सुखम्।आशंसे त्वत्कृते नाहं वनवासकृतं सुखम्।।2.52.51।।
tvatkṛte na mayāvāptaṃ rathacaryākṛtaṃ sukham |
āśaṃse tvatkṛte nāhaṃ vanavāsakṛtaṃ sukham ||2.52.51||
तुझ्या कृपेने पूर्वी मला तुझा रथ चालविण्याचे सुख लाभले. त्याच तुझ्याच कृपेने आता तुझ्या वनवासात वननिवासही मला सुखद वाटेल, अशी मी आशा करतो॥
By your grace I experienced the pleasure of driving your chariot, and by your grace, too, I am looking forward to deriving the pleasure of dwelling in the forest.
FAQs
Dharma here is loyal service (seva) to the righteous master: Sumantra treats Rama’s hardship as an opportunity to continue duty with devotion, valuing righteousness over comfort.
As Rama is preparing for forest exile, Sumantra pleads to accompany him, reframing exile as meaningful because it allows continued service.
Sumantra’s steadfast loyalty and willingness to embrace hardship for the sake of duty and affection toward Rama.