Shloka 22
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
इक्ष्वाकूणां त्वया तुल्यं सुहृदं नोपलक्षये।यथा दशरथो राजा मां न शोचेत्तथा कुरु।।2.52.22।।
ikṣvākūṇāṃ tvayā tulyaṃ suhṛdaṃ nopalakṣaye |
yathā daśaratho rājā māṃ na śocet tathā kuru ||
ایکشیواکوؤں میں تمہارے برابر کوئی سچا دوست مجھے نظر نہیں آتا۔ اس لیے ایسا کرو کہ راجا دشرتھ میرے سبب غمگین نہ ہوں۔
I find none else like you as friendly as you are to the Ikshvaku race. So do whatever you like to see that king Dasaratha does not brood over me.
FAQs
Filial dharma and compassionate responsibility: even while obeying exile, Rama seeks to reduce his father’s suffering through trusted mediation.
Rama instructs Sumantra, who is returning to Ayodhya, to act so that Daśaratha does not succumb to grief over Rama’s departure.
Rama’s concern for his father and his gratitude toward loyal servants—recognizing Sumantra as a true well-wisher of the dynasty.