Beholding the great ascetic Vālmiki thus conducting Sitā into his own
hermitage Lakshmana’s heart was bewildered with grief. Thereupon he said
to the expert charioteer Sumantra. "Do thou perceive Rāma’s grief
consequent upon the separation from Sitā. His spouse—the daughter of
Janaka, is perfectly pure; what can be more painful than that Rāma is
living alone having renounced her? It is clear unto me, O Sumantra, that
this separation of Rāma, hath been brought about by the influence of
destiny—for it is hard to get over accident. Even that Rāma, who, when
enraged, is capable of slaying the celestials, Gandharvas, Asuras and
Rākshasas, hath been engaged in the worship of destiny. Formerly did
Rāma go through miseries, residing in the forest of Dandaka, at the
command of his sire for fourteen years. But this banishment of Sitā
appears to me as exceedingly painful and most ruthless. O charioteer,
the opinion of the citizens is by no means just; consequently what shall
we gain by performing such a bad action for fame as the exile of Sitā?"
Hearing those words of Lakshmana, the wise Sumantra reverentially
replied:—"Be not aggrieved for Sitā, O Saumitri. Formerly in the
presence of thy sire the Brahmananas related this account of Sitā’s
exile. Rāma shall be deprived of all happiness and be separated from his
dear wife; what more, the virtuous-souled Rāma, having long arms, shall,
under the influence of time, renounce thee, Sitā, Satrughna and Bharata.
O Lakshmana, when Durbasa was addressed by the king Daçaratha as to thy
future he replied in the above way. I have told thee the same. Do thou
not communicate this unto Satrughna, Bharata or any body. O foremost of
men, Durbasa said this unto Daçaratha before me, Vasishtha and other
great men. Hearing the words of Rishi, Daçaratha, the foremost of men,
said unto me, ’O charioteer, do not reveal this secret to any body.’ O
gentle one, it is not proper by any means to falsify the words of the
king Daçaratha. I shall always, very carefully, carry out his orders. It
is not proper to reveal this mystery before thee. Still I do so for thy
curiosity hath been greatly excited. Though this mystery was
communicated formerly by the king Daçaratha and though it is not proper
to reveal it to any body, still I express it before thee that thou mayst
not, on hearing it, be worked up with sorrow; for destiny is hard to be
got over. And it is by the influence of that destiny that thou hast met
with such a sorrow and grief. However, do thou not reveal this secret
unto Satrughna and Bharata." Hearing these grave and important words of
Sumantra, Lakshmana ordered him to relate.