Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ramayana: A Divine Drama – Vol. V
grief, that those who sat exhausted on the sides of the road would
rise and race, impelled by anew hope, and so, it would be giving
them hopes without any benefit. It will also injure the realisation
of his promise. If the subjects witness the wailing of Dasaratha, it
will bring him down in their estimation. Weighing all these
considerations in his mind he told Sumantra, who was his
charioteer, that there was no need to stop the vehicle. He said, it
was best that he drove it even faster. . (RKRV Part I p.335)
Sumantra wants to know from Rama, the reasons for not
obeying Dasaratha’s command:
At this, Sumantra prayed, with folded palms, “Rama! I have been
ordered to be with you for four days only. After that period, I
have to return to Ayodhya, haven’t I On seeing me, he will
certainly reprimand me for not stopping the chariot, as
commanded by him. What shall I tell him in reply Kindly keep
me with you, throughout all the years of exile in the forest. I
shall deem my life well and happily lived if I am allowed to be in
the forest with you. If you agree, I shall not stop. I shall drive as
fast as you wish. Kindly communicate your order on this.”
Rama says to Sumantra to listen to the orders of the
Emperor and not to the pleas of an individual, a father:
Rama thought about the problem presented by Sumantra and its
implications. He 150 said, “Sumantra! He, who ordered you to get
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Rama is Dharmaswarupam (Embodiment of Virtue}; Krishna is
Premaswarupam (Embodiment of Love). Rama was ever aware of the
obligations of Dharma When Dasaratha, running after His chariot in
mortal anguish, cried out, "Stop, stop" and called on Sumantra to stop,
Rama told him not to. He said, "If he chides you, tell him you did not
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