सुन्यौ जब फिरि सुमंत पुर आयो। कहिहै कहा, प्रानपतिकी गति, नृपति बिकल उठि धायो॥ १ ॥ पाँय परत मंत्री अति ब्याकुल, नृप उठाय उर लायो। दसरथ-दसा देखि न कह्यो कछु, हरि जो संदेस पठायो॥ २ ॥ बूझि न सकत कुसल प्रीतमकी, हृदय रहै पछितायो। साँचहु सुत-बियोग सुनिबे कहँ धिग बिधि मोहि जिआयो॥ ३ ॥ तुलसिदास प्रभु जनि निठुर हौं न्याय नाथ बिसरायो। हा रघुपति कहि परयो अवनि, जनु जलतें मीन बिलगायो॥ ४ ॥
When he heard that Sumantra had returned to the city, the distraught king sprang up and ran, wondering what news he would give of those dearer than life. (1) The deeply agitated minister fell at his feet; the king raised him and held him to his heart. Seeing Daśaratha’s condition, Sumantra could not deliver the message Hari had sent. (2) Unable to ask whether his beloved sons were well, the king’s heart remained full of remorse: ‘Shame on fate for keeping me alive to hear the truth of my sons’ separation.’ (3) Tulsīdāsa has him plead, ‘Lord, do not deem me cruel; I forgot justice and you.’ Crying ‘Ah, Raghupati!’ he fell to the earth like a fish torn from water. (4)