Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.40 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 40
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
सराममपि तावन्मे रथं दृष्ट्वा तदा जनः।विना रामं रथं दृष्ट्वा विदीर्येतापि सा पुरी।।2.52.40।।
sarāmam api tāvan me rathaṃ dṛṣṭvā tadā janaḥ |
vinā rāmaṃ rathaṃ dṛṣṭvā vidīryetāpi sā purī || 2.52.40 ||
ครานั้นผู้คนได้เห็นรถศึกของข้าพเจ้าพร้อมพระราม; ครั้นเห็นรถกลับมาโดยปราศจากพระราม เขาทั้งหลายจักแตกสลาย และนครนั้นก็ประหนึ่งจะแยกออกด้วยความโศก
The people who had seen Rama board the chariot will be broken-hearted to see it without him.
FAQs
Dharma highlights the reciprocal bond between ruler and people: the king’s virtue becomes the people’s emotional refuge, and his absence wounds the civic body.
Sumantra argues that returning alone will devastate Ayodhya, because the citizens witnessed Rama depart in the chariot.
Empathy for the populace—Sumantra considers not only orders but the human consequences for the city.
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