Ayodhya Kaanda
82 - Sumantra returns to Ayodhya and finds the city a picture of grief
Chaupais
Description
Seeing off the charioteer, Guha returned; the agony of his separation was too deep for words. And the Nisadas drove off to Ayodhya, plunged in sorrow every moment. Agitated and stricken with grief, Sumantra lamented: "Accursed is life without the Hero of Raghu's race. This wretched body will not survive in the long run; but what a pity it did not earn fame by perishing at the time of its parting from the Hero of Raghu's race. This life has become a sink of infamy and sin; I wonder what prevents it from departing. Alas! this vile soul has missed its chance. Oh, that my heart does not break in twain even now!" Wringing his hands and beating his head he rued his lot like a miser who has lost his hoard of riches. It seemed as if after assuming the role of, and posing as, an eminent hero, a great warrior had taken to flight.