Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 57
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि सहितस्य त्वया वने।क्षणभूतानि यास्यन्ति शतसङ्ख्यान्यतोऽन्यथा।।2.52.57।।
caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi sahitasya tvayā vane |
kṣaṇabhūtāni yāsyanti śatasaṅkhyāny ato 'nyathā ||2.52.57||
நான் உம்முடன் வனத்தில் இருந்தால் இந்த பதினான்கு ஆண்டுகள் கணநேரத்தில் கழிந்துவிடும்; இல்லையெனில் அவை நூறு ஆண்டுகள் போல் நீளமாகத் தோன்றும்.
If I accompany you into the forest, fourteen years will pass like a moment, otherwise it will seem like a hundred years.
FAQs
Dharma is sustained through presence and shared hardship: accompanying the righteous in difficulty is portrayed as a meaningful, time-transforming commitment.
Sumantra argues emotionally that separation from Rama will make the exile unbearably long, strengthening his plea to accompany him.
Affectionate loyalty—his sense of time and suffering is shaped by closeness to the dharmic figure he serves.