Valmiki Ramayana 2.57.6: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 57, Shloka 6
सप्तपञ्चाशः सर्गः
Sumantra’s Return to Ayodhya and the Palace’s Lament
स शून्यामिव निश्शब्दां दृष्ट्वा परमदुर्मनाः।सुमन्त्रश्चिन्तयामास शोकवेगसमाहतः।।।।
sa śūnyām iva niḥśabdāṁ dṛṣṭvā paramadurmanāḥ |
sumantraś cintayāmāsa śoka-vega-samāhataḥ ||
நகரை வெறுமையெனவும் நிசப்தமெனவும் கண்டு சுமந்திரன் மிகுந்த மனவேதனையுற்றான்; துயரத்தின் பெருக்கால் தாக்கப்பட்டு சிந்தனையில் ஆழ்ந்தான்।
The charioteer reached Ayodhya on the third day at dusk and found the city cheerless.
FAQs
Dharma includes emotional integrity: grief is not denied or suppressed, yet one must still think clearly and act responsibly within sorrow.
Sumantra enters a strangely quiet Ayodhyā and realizes the depth of public mourning after Rāma’s departure.
Conscientiousness and empathy: Sumantra is sensitive to the city’s suffering and reflects on what it means.
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