Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 60, Shloka 15
षष्टितमः सर्गः — Kausalyā’s Lament and Sumantra’s Consolation
Sītā’s Fearless Forest-Life
ध्वंसयित्वा तु तद्वाक्यं प्रमादात्पर्युपत्स्थितम्।ह्लादनं वचनं सूतो देव्या मधुरमब्रवीत्।।।।
dhvaṃsayitvā tu tadvākyaṃ pramādāt paryupasthitam |
hlādanam vacanaṃ sūto devyā madhuram abravīt ||
然而，他把那因一时疏忽而脱口的话放在一旁，车夫便以柔和甘美、能慰藉人心的言辞对王后说道。
Sita did say something about Kaikeyi, but now I do not remember what.
FAQs
It teaches vāc-dharma: speech should be truthful yet compassionate and timely. Sumantra chooses words that heal rather than inflame grief or anger.
Sumantra, realizing that mention of Kaikeyī may worsen Kausalyā’s suffering, redirects the conversation and offers consoling words.
Compassionate discretion—knowing what not to say, and how to speak for another’s welfare.