Valmiki Ramayana 2.102.22-23: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 102, Shlokas 22-23
पितृमरणश्रवणं जलक्रिया च
Hearing of Daśaratha’s death and the libation rites at Mandākinī
ततो नित्यानुगस्तेषां विदितात्मा महामतिः ।
मृदुर्दान्तश्च कान्तश्च रामे च दृढभक्तिमान् ॥२२॥
सुमन्त्र स्तैर्नृपसुतैस्सार्धमाश्वस्य राघवम् ।
अवातारयदालम्ब्य नदीं मन्दाकिनीं शिवाम् ॥२३॥
tato nityānugasteṣāṃ viditātmā mahāmatiḥ |
mṛdurdāntaśca kāntaśca rāme ca dṛḍhabhaktimān ||22||
sumantra stairnṛpasutaissārdhamāśvasya rāghavam |
avātārayadālambya nadīṃ mandākinīṃ śivām ||23||
จากนั้น สุมันตรผู้ติดตามเสมอมา ผู้รู้แจ้งในธรรมะ ผู้มีปัญญาลึกซึ้ง มีนิสัยอ่อนโยน มีอารมณ์สงบ และมีความจงรักภักดีต่อพระรามอย่างมั่นคง ได้ปลอบโยนพระราฆพ แล้วจับพระหัตถ์ของเจ้าชายทั้งสอง สุมันตรได้ช่วยให้เสด็จลงสู่แม่น้ำมันทากินีอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์เพื่อทรงอาบน้ำ
Thereafter, their constant follower Sumantra who was conversant in spiritual knowledge, a high-minded person, soft-natured, self-controlled, tranquil-minded and staunchly devoted to Rama consoled him. Holding the hands of the princes, Sumantra helped their descent into the auspicious river Mandakini for taking bath.
FAQs
The verse illustrates the dharma of loyal service (seva dharma). Sumantra, though only a charioteer by position, demonstrates the qualities of a true well-wisher - wisdom, gentleness, self-control, and unwavering devotion, supporting the princes in their time of grief.
After Rama regains consciousness from fainting at the news of his father's death, preparations begin for performing the funeral rites. Sumantra, the faithful minister who had driven the chariot during Rama's exile departure, now consoles the grieving princes and assists them in descending to the Mandakini River for ritual purification.
Sumantra exemplifies the virtue of steadfast devotion (bhakti) combined with wisdom (jnana). His character shows that true service transcends formal roles - he is described as viditātmā (self-realized) and dṛḍhabhaktimān (firmly devoted), embodying both spiritual wisdom and emotional loyalty.
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