Guha Shares Lakshmana's Devotion to Rama

Guha recounts Lakshmana's unwavering devotion to Rama during their exile. Lakshmana laments Dasharatha's fate and Ayodhya's future, while Guha aids their journey across the Ganga. 

Guha Praises Lakshmana to Bharata (2.86.1 - 2.86.4)

Guha, the forest ranger, began to describe the virtues of the noble-hearted Lakshmana to Bharata:

"I spoke to Lakshmana, who remained completely awake, holding arrows, bow, and sword, for the sake of protecting his brother. He was endowed with virtues. I said to him:

'My friend, this comfortable bed has been arranged for you. Please, be assured and lie down peacefully. You're accustomed to comfort, while all our people are used to hardships. We will stay awake for the sake of protecting him (Rama).'"

Guha's Words About Rama (2.86.5 - 2.86.7)

Guha continued:

"There's no one on earth dearer to me than Rama. Don't be anxious, I speak the truth before you. Through Rama's grace, I hope to gain in this world:

• Great renown

• Abundance of dharma (righteousness)

• Prosperity and pleasure in their fullness

With bow in hand, alongside all my kinsmen, I shall protect my dear friend Rama as he rests with Sita."

Guha's Confidence (2.86.8)

Guha spoke of his knowledge of the forest and his strength:

"Nothing in this forest is unknown to me, as I range about here constantly. We could even withstand an army of four divisions (chaturanga balam) in battle."

Lakshmana's Unwavering Devotion (2.86.9 - 2.86.11)

Guha then recounted Lakshmana's response, which demonstrated his commitment to dharma and his brother:

"How can I find sleep, or life, or comforts while Rama, the son of Dasharatha, lies on the ground with Sita? O Guha, behold Rama, whom neither gods nor demons combined can withstand in battle, now lying on a bed of grass with Sita."

Lakshmana's Lament (2.86.12 - 2.86.17)

Lakshmana continued his conversation with Guha:

"Rama, who resembles his father in virtues, is Dasaratha's only son obtained after great austerities and various efforts. With his exile, the king will not survive for long. Surely, the earth will soon be widowed.

The women who cried loudly have now ceased out of exhaustion. Surely, the clamor in the king's palace has subsided. I doubt whether the king, Kausalya, and my mother will outlive this night.

My mother might live, looking at Satrughna. But Kausalya, the mother of a hero, will die from extreme grief. My father, failing to fulfill his cherished desires one after another and place Rama on the throne, will pass away."

The Future of Ayodhya (2.86.18 - 2.86.21)

Lakshmana then spoke about what would happen after the king's death:

"When that moment arrives, men who attained their purpose will perform all the funeral rites for the lord of the earth.

People will move about in great comfort in my father's capital (Ayodhya), which has:

• Lovely crossroads and squares

• Well-laid highways

• Mansions and palaces encrusted with precious stones

• Elephants, horses, and chariots

• Resounding with trumpets

• Universal well-being

• Crowded with healthy, happy people

• Plenty of pleasure gardens and parks

• Community festivals"

Lakshmana's Question (2.86.22)

"Will we ever reenter Ayodhya happily after safely fulfilling the vow and completing the term of exile?"

Guha's Account of the Night and Morning (2.86.23 - 2.86.25)

Guha then described how the night passed and what happened the next morning:

While the high-minded prince was lamenting this way and waiting, the night elapsed. At dawn, when the Sun shone bright, both of them matted their hair on the bank of the river Bhagirathi (Ganga), and I ferried them across comfortably.

Rama and Lakshmana, slayers of enemies, as strong as and comparable to bull elephants, went along with Sita, looking around vigilantly. They wore matted hair and robes made of bark, armed with excellent bows, arrows, and swords.

This concludes the Eighty Sixth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.