Shloka 20
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
इति ब्रुवन्नात्मसमं सुमन्त्रः सारथिस्तदा।दृष्ट्वा दूरगतं रामं दुःखार्तो रुरुदे चिरम्।।2.52.20।।
iti bruvann ātmasamaṃ sumantraḥ sārathis tadā |
dṛṣṭvā dūragataṃ rāmaṃ duḥkhārto rurude ciram ||
یوں کہہ کر، اس وقت سارتھی سمنتر—جو رام کو اپنے ہی نفس کے برابر جانتا تھا—رام کو دور جاتے دیکھ کر غم سے بےتاب دیر تک روتا رہا۔
Rama was like his (Sumantra's) own self. When Sumantra, the charioteer, saw that Rama was preparing to go afar for a long time, he started weeping aloud in deep distress.
FAQs
Dharma is not emotionless; righteous bonds create grief at separation. The epic validates compassion while still moving forward with duty.
After addressing Rama, Sumantra watches him recede into the distance and breaks down in prolonged weeping.
Sumantra’s deep affection and loyalty—treating Rama ‘like himself’—reveals the moral power of righteous relationships.