Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 38
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
यदहं नोपचारेण ब्रूयां स्नेहादविक्लबः।भक्तिमानिति तत्तावद्वाक्यं त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि।।2.52.38।।
yad ahaṃ nopacāreṇa brūyāṃ snehād aviklabaḥ |
bhaktimān iti tat tāvad vākyaṃ tvaṃ kṣantum arhasi || 2.52.38 ||
若我因爱敬而毫不迟疑，以较为随和的方式对你说话，愿你宽恕这些言辞，把它当作一位虔诚侍者的肺腑之言。
I beg your pardon for what I have told you out of love. Accept it as the words of a devotee expressed without fear or formality.
FAQs
Dharma of speech combines truth with humility: one may speak frankly out of love, yet must acknowledge boundaries and seek pardon for any breach of formality.
Sumantra begins his reply to Rama, apologizing in advance for speaking with intimate candor.
Humility and devotion—Sumantra frames his frankness as service, not presumption.