After the flow of tears ceased Sumantra took a sip of water and became sanctified. Then Rama addressed him with sweet words over and over again : - [2-52-21]
इक्ष्वाकूणां त्वया तुल्यं सुहृदं नोपलक्षये | यथा दशरथो राजा मां न शोचेत्तथा कुरु || २-५२-२२
- 'I find none else like you as friendly as you are to the Ikshvaku race. So do whatever you like to see that king Dasaratha does not brood over me. [2-52-22]