Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ramayana: A Divine Drama – Vol. V
in pain, “Rama! Oh Rama! Let me see you at least once. Won’t
you give me the chance to see you”
Sumantra instils courage in the Emperor:
The maids standing outside the hall where he was lying could not
sleep or take food, since they were sunk in sorrow at the
Emperor’s plight. Sumantra replied, “Imperial Monarch!
Rajadhiraja! You are extremely wise. You are made in heroic
mould. Your abilities are profound. Your lineage is divine. You
have always served ascetics and saints. You know that as night
follows day and day follows night, wealth and want, happiness
and misery, nearness and separation come one after the other,
with a certain inevitability. Only fools are carried off their feet in
joy when happiness comes and are dispirited, down hearted when
misery comes. Learned men like you should not be affected by
either. They should be full of equanimity, whatever might
happen. I have no credentials to advise you to face this situation
courageously for you know the need for courage very much
more. Oh Benefactor of the World! Heed my prayers. Give up
this grief. I shall describe the details of my journey with them
now. Please listen calmly.” At this, Kausalya struggled to raise
herself up, with the help of the maids. She leaned on them and
made herself ready to listen to what Sumantra had to say.
Sumantra describes the details of his Journey with Rama and
others:
Sumantra began, “Oh Master! The first day we journeyed up to
the bank of the Thamasa. Sita, Rama and Lakshmana bathed in
the river and after drinking water, they rested under a spreading
tree. The next day, we reached the Ganga River. Darkness was
404