Sumantra Turns Back with an Empty Chariot
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 99
Doha 99 · Movement 1 of 2
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Sita gives Sumantra one last assurance. The lord of her life walks beside her, and Lakshmana, foremost among warriors, bears bow and quiver nearby. With such companions, the road brings her neither weariness nor confusion. He must cast away every fear for her welfare.
Her cool words cannot cool the minister's heart. He reels like a serpent robbed of its luminous jewel. Sight and hearing fail him, speech will not rise, and even Ram's many consolations cannot quiet the grief within his chest. Every loving attempt to remain meets Raghunandan's fitting but unalterable reply.
At last Sumantra bows to the feet of Sita, Ram, and Lakshmana. Destiny offers no path around the Lord's command. He turns toward Ayodhya like a merchant whose entire capital has vanished, holding the reins of a chariot that carries no prince home.
The forest keeps the three exiles, while Sumantra begins the return journey with an empty chariot and a heart stripped of treasure.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्राननाथ प्रिय देवर साथा। बीर धुरीन धरें धनु भाथा।। नहिं मग श्रमु भ्रमु दुख मन मोरें। मोहि लगि सोचु करिअ जनि भोरें।। सुनि सुमंत्रु सिय सीतलि बानी। भयउ बिकल जनु फनि मनि हानी।। नयन सूझ नहिं सुनइ न काना। कहि न सकइ कछु अति अकुलाना।। राम प्रबोधु कीन्ह बहु भाँति। तदपि होति नहिं सीतलि छाती।। जतन अनेक साथ हित कीन्हे। उचित उतर रघुनंदन दीन्हे।। मेटि जाइ नहिं राम रजाई। कठिन करम गति कछु न बसाई।। राम लखन सिय पद सिरु नाई। फिरेउ बनिक जिमि मूर गवाँई।।
My lord, the very breath of my life, walks beside me, and my dear brother-in-law, foremost among warriors, carries his bow and quiver. There is no weariness on this road, no confusion, no sorrow in my heart. Please do not trouble yourself with worry over me. Hearing Sita's cool, soothing words, Sumantra became distraught, like a serpent that has lost its crest-jewel. His eyes could not see, his ears could not hear, and he could not utter a single word, so overwhelmed was he. Rama consoled him in every way He could, yet Sumantra's heart would not find peace. The faithful minister made many loving efforts, and Raghunandan gave fitting replies to each. But Rama's decree cannot be undone. The course of stern destiny lies beyond anyone's control. Bowing his head at the feet of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, Sumantra turned homeward like a merchant who has lost all his capital.