Canto 2 -
Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa
Chapter 52: Rāma Crosses the Gaṅgā on Guha’s Boat
Text 2.52.38
यदहं नोपचारेण ब्रूयां स्नेहादविक्लबः।
भक्तिमानिति तत्तावद्वाक्यं त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि॥
yad ahaṁ nopacāreṇa brūyāṁ snehād aviklavaḥ
bhaktimān iti tat tāvad vākyaṁ tvaṁ kṣantum arhasi
yat = for whatever; aham = I; na upacāreṇa = without reverence; brūyām = say; snehāt = affectionately; aviklavaḥ = and fearlessly; bhaktimān = I am Your devoted servant; iti = consider that; tat tāvat vākyam tvam kṣantum arhasi = please forgive me.
Please forgive me for whatever I affectionately and fearlessly say without reverence. Consider that I am Your devoted servant.
Sumantra wanted to speak by setting aside his duty of menial service [as a sūta].