Ayodhya Kaanda
83 - Dialogue between king Dasaratha and Sumantra, Dasaratha's passing away
Chaupais
Description
At this moment, in response to a hint from the Chief of Raghus (Sri Rama), the boatman propelled the boat towards the opposite bank. So departed the Crown of Raghu's race, while I stood looking on with a heavy load on my heart. How am I to describe my own anguish in that I came back alive bearing Rama's message?" At this stage Sumantra's speech failed him, overpowered as he was by grief and remorse due to separation from Sri Rama. No sooner had he heard the charioteer's speech than the king dropped to the ground, his heart burning with deep anguish. His mind being unhinged by excessive infatuation he tossed about like a fish that had been inebriated by sucking the foam of early rain water (which is intoxicating to the fish). All the queens wailed and wept; how can their great misfortune be described? At the sound of their wails sorrow itself was sorrowful and endurance could no longer endure.