But when the agitated citizens run to question me, I shall have to steel my heart to give them all an answer.

When all the helpless, piteous queen-mothers question me, O God, what shall I say to them? When Lakshmana’s mother questions me, what good news shall I give her?

And when Rama’s mother comes running, like a cow that has recently borne a calf and has her thoughts fixed on it, and questions me, I can only answer, “Rama, Lakshmana and Sita have gone to the forest!”

And whosoever questions me, I must give him the same answer; this is the treat I shall have on reaching Ayodhya! Again, when the sorrowful king whose hangs on Rama, questions me,

- how shall I have the face to answer him, “I have escorted the princes to the forest and have come back safe and sound!” As soon as he hears this news of Lakshmana, Sita and Rama, the king will abandon his body as of no more value than a piece of straw.

My heart bereft of its beloved lord did not crack, as clay cracks when drained of water; now I know that God has endowed me with a body capable of enduring the tortures of hell!’

While Sumantra was thus lamenting on the way, his chariot arrived right soon at the bank of the Tamasa. There he courteously dismissed the Nishadas, who after falling at his feet returned home with a heart stricken with grief.