Guha Tells Bharata of Rama's Night
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 87
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 87
Bharata's anguish upon learning of Rama's exile. Guha recounts Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana's night in the forest, revealing their devotion and Lakshmana's vigilant protection.
Bharata, upon hearing the extremely unpleasant words from Guha (the chief of the Nishadas), became deeply immersed in thought right where he stood. Bharata had:
Lion-like shoulders
Strong arms
Wide eyes resembling lotus petals
A youthful and graceful appearance
He recovered for a moment. However, with a deeply distressed mind, he suddenly fell to the ground like an elephant struck by a goad.
Satrughna, standing nearby, embraced the fallen Bharata. Overcome with grief, he cried loudly and lost consciousness. Then, all of Bharata's mothers rushed towards him. They were:
Emaciated from fasting
Desolate and afflicted by their husband's death
Sobbing, they surrounded Bharata, who had fallen to the ground. Kausalya approached Bharata and took him into her arms.
Kausalya, distressed and weeping, clasped Bharata with motherly affection as if he were her own child. She inquired:
"My son, I hope you're not troubled by illness. The life of this royal house now depends on you. Seeing you, I continue to live. You are now our sole protector.
I hope you haven't heard any unpleasant news about Lakshmana or about my only son Rama, who has gone to the forest with his wife."
The highly renowned Bharata, composing himself for a moment but still weeping, reassured Kausalya. He then turned to address Guha.
Bharata, addressing Guha, asked:
"O Guha, tell me: Where did my brother spend the night? Where did Sita stay? Where did Lakshmana rest? What did they eat? On which bed did he sleep?"
Guha, the chief of the Nishadas, delightedly told Bharata about the provisions he had offered to Rama, his beloved friend and guest:
"I brought various types of food for Rama's meal:
Rice of different varieties
Various eatables
Several kinds of fruits in great quantity
Rama acknowledged all that I offered. However, remembering the duty of a kshatriya, he did not accept them.
He said to us, 'O friend, we should always give to others but should never accept anything from others.'"
The illustrious Rama, along with Sita, only drank the water brought by Lakshmana and undertook fasting. Thereafter, Lakshmana also drank the remainder of the water.
Then, all three of them, observing silence, intently performed the evening worship.
Lakshmana himself fetched darbha grass and quickly prepared an auspicious and comfortable bed for Rama. Rama lay down upon this bed with Sita.
After washing their feet, Lakshmana moved to a distant place.
Guha pointed out to Bharata:
"Here at the foot of this ingudi tree, and upon that bed of grass, both Rama and Sita rested that night."
Lakshmana, the scorcher of enemies, stood sentinel throughout the night, guarding the surroundings. He was:
Wearing protective covering for his palms and fingers (made of goat skin)
Strapping on his back two quivers filled with arrows
Holding a great bow, strung and ready
Guha concluded:
"Then, I too, holding the best of arrows and bow, stood there where Lakshmana was. Along with my indefatigable kinsmen armed with bows, I remained standing there, protecting Rama, who is comparable to Indra."
This concludes the Eighty Seventh chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.