Sumantra Walks with Ram toward the Silent King
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 39
Doha 39 · Movement 1 of 2
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Kaikeyi orders Sumantra to summon Ram, claiming that only in his presence can the full matter be known. The minister senses her mischief and leaves with worry so heavy his feet scarcely find the path.
At Ram's palace, questioning faces gather around Sumantra's stricken expression. He reassures them, then approaches the lamp of Raghu's line, who receives the minister with the honour due a father.
Ram reads the troubled face, hears Dasharatha's command, and goes at once. As he walks beside Sumantra in an inauspicious manner, people begin to weep without knowing why. The city's intuition feels the shadow before any decree is spoken.
Ram walks toward his father's silence, and sorrow reaches the watching streets before the truth does.
Read the passage from the Manas
आनहु रामहि बेगि बोलाई। समाचार तब पूँछेहु आई।। चलेउ सुमंत्र राय रूख जानी। लखी कुचालि कीन्हि कछु रानी।। सोच बिकल मग परइ न पाऊ। रामहि बोलि कहिहि का राऊ।। उर धरि धीरजु गयउ दुआरें। पूछँहिं सकल देखि मनु मारें।। समाधानु करि सो सबही का। गयउ जहाँ दिनकर कुल टीका।। रामु सुमंत्रहि आवत देखा। आदरु कीन्ह पिता सम लेखा।। निरखि बदनु कहि भूप रजाई। रघुकुलदीपहि चलेउ लेवाई।। रामु कुभाँति सचिव सँग जाहीं। देखि लोग जहँ तहँ बिलखाहीं।।
Bring Rama here at once by summoning him. Only when he arrives shall I ask for the full news. Sumantra departed, reading the king's intent. He sensed that the queen had worked some mischief. Troubled with worry, his feet could scarcely find the path. What will the king say when he calls Rama before him? Steadying his heart, he reached the palace doors. Seeing his stricken face, everyone questioned him. Reassuring them all, he went to where the tilak (crowning mark) of the solar dynasty dwelt. Rama saw Sumantra approaching and honored him, regarding the minister as equal to a father. Reading Sumantra's face and hearing the king's command, Rama, the lamp of Raghu's line, departed with him. Seeing Rama walking in this inauspicious manner with the minister, people everywhere began to weep.