Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.37: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 37

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs

Setting: Roadside near Ayodhyā as Sumantra is turned backPlaces named: AyodhyāReturn of Sumantra to Ayodhyā after escorting Rāma

Devanagari script

निवर्त्यमानो रामेण सुमन्त्रः शोककर्शितः ।

तत्सर्वं वचनं श्रुत्वा स्नेहात्काकुत्स्थमब्रवीत् ॥३७॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.52.37

Transliteration

nivartyamāno rāmeṇa sumantraḥ śokakarśitaḥ |

tat sarvaṃ vacanaṃ śrutvā snehāt kākutstham abravīt ||37||

Translation

Disuruh pulang oleh Rāma, Sumantra—yang dirundung duka—setelah mendengar segala kata itu, kerana kasih sayang, pun berkata kepada putera keturunan Kakutstha.

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Word by Word

• यत्: that (in that)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सम्बन्धबोधक अव्यय-प्रयोग (relative particle: 'that/whereas')
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• अहम्: I
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation)

• उपचारेण: with formal courtesy
• Type: Noun
• Root: upacāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: Karana (करण)

• ब्रूयाम्: I should speak
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• स्नेहात्: out of affection
• Type: Noun
• Root: sneha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: Hetu (हेतु)

• अविक्लबः: unhesitating, unafraid
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a + viklaba (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (of अहम्)
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण)

• भक्तिमान्: devoted
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaktimat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (quoted as predicate)
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण)

• इति: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, वाक्य-समाप्ति/उद्धरणसूचक (quotative)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative)

• तत्: that
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (of वाक्यम्)
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण)

• तावत्: so much, to that extent
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tāvat (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययप्राय)
• Form: अव्यय, परिमाण/सीमावाचक (to that extent/for now)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• वाक्यम्: statement, words
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• त्वम्: you
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• क्षन्तुम्: to forgive
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṣam (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्यय (Infinitive), अव्ययभाव
• Role: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)

• अर्हसि: you ought/are fit
• Type: Verb
• Root: arh (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• यदहं = यत् + अहम् (त् + अ → द + अ)
• नोपचारेण = न + उपचारेण (अ + उ → ओ)
• स्नेहादविक्लबः = स्नेहात् + अविक्लबः (त् + अ → द + अ)
• तत्तावत् = तत् + तावत् (त् + त → त्त)
• क्षन्तुमर्हसि = क्षन्तुम् + अर्हसि (म् + अ → म + अ)

Context

When Sumantra was asked by Rama to go back, he grew grief-stricken. Having heard all that was said by the scion of the Kakutsthas, he replied:

The teaching

True service accepts painful instructions; affection becomes dharmic when it supports obedience and truthful communication.

Duties in tension

• Sumantra’s duty to accompany and serve Rāma vs. obedience to Rāma’s command to return
• Personal affection (sneha) vs. disciplined execution of royal duty

Ethical theme

Sevā-dharma / ājñā-pālana

How it resolves

Obedience to rightful command while preserving affectionate truth in speech

For your practice

Model of dāsya-bhāva: serving the righteous with obedience even when the heart grieves.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Karuna (compassion), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Tearful, loyal, restrained

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Bhakti
• Separation grief
• Itihasa
• Ethics

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sumantra

FAQs

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

Dharma is loyal service: even when commanded to return, Sumantra’s affection and duty compel him to speak truthfully from the heart.

What is the narrative situation?

After receiving Rama’s instructions, Sumantra prepares to respond, overwhelmed by sorrow at the separation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sumantra’s devotion and sincerity—service joined with emotional truth.