The Message Ram Forbids Sumantra to Carry
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 96
Doha 96 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram tells Sumantra that he is dear as a father and entrusts him with one sacred duty: Dasharatha must not be allowed to suffer through worry for his sons. Guha and all his kin listen to the exchange, their hearts shaken by the approaching farewell.
Lakshmana's grief flashes into cutting speech, but Ram restrains him at once, judging such words deeply improper. When his younger brother grows abashed, Ram binds the matter with an oath by his own name. Sumantra must carry no harsh message back to the king.
The minister then reveals Dasharatha's remaining hope. Sita cannot endure the forest, the king believes. By some means she must be persuaded to return to Ayodhya. Otherwise he will be left without support and will not live, any more than a fish can survive without water. The plea falls upon the morning with the weight of a father's life.
Ram closes the road to reproach, while Dasharatha's desperate hope reaches the riverbank through Sumantra's trembling voice.
Read the passage from the Manas
तुम्ह पुनि पितु सम अति हित मोरें। बिनती करउँ तात कर जोरें।। सब बिधि सोइ करतब्य तुम्हारें। दुख न पाव पितु सोच हमारें।। सुनि रघुनाथ सचिव संबादू। भयउ सपरिजन बिकल निषादू।। पुनि कछु लखन कही कटु बानी। प्रभु बरजे बड़ अनुचित जानी।। सकुचि राम निज सपथ देवाई। लखन सँदेसु कहिअ जनि जाई।। कह सुमंत्रु पुनि भूप सँदेसू। सहि न सकिहि सिय बिपिन कलेसू।। जेहि बिधि अवध आव फिरि सीया। सोइ रघुबरहि तुम्हहि करनीया।। नतरु निपट अवलंब बिहीना। मैं न जिअब जिमि जल बिनु मीना।।
You too are as dear to me as a father. With folded hands, dear one, I make this humble prayer. In every way, this is your sacred duty: let our father not suffer sorrow on our account. Hearing the exchange between Raghunath and the minister, Nishad grew deeply troubled, along with all his kin. Then Lakshman spoke a few cutting words, but the Lord restrained him, knowing it to be most unseemly. Abashed, Shri Rama had Lakshman swear an oath by his own name: "Do not carry any such message." Sumantra then conveyed the king's appeal: "Sita will never endure the hardships of the forest." "By whatever means Sita may return to Ayodhya, that is what you and Raghubara must bring about. "Otherwise, left wholly without support, I shall not survive, just as a fish cannot live without water."