Guha Begs for Four More Days
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 104
Doha 104 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ganga's words fill Sita with joy. Then Ram turns to Guha and asks him to return home. The Nishada chief's face loses color, and a burning ache enters the heart that had just rejoiced through service.
With palms joined, Guha asks for a little more road. Let him guide the way and serve their feet for four days. Wherever Ram chooses to dwell, he will build a lovely hut of leaves. After that he will accept any command, invoking Raghuvir's own name as witness to his obedience.
Ram recognizes the natural love beneath the plea and takes him along. Delight floods Guha at once. He gathers his kinsmen, consoles them, and sends them home, choosing for himself the forest path beside the friend whose separation he cannot yet bear.
Four days of service become Guha's whole kingdom when Ram allows the devoted friend to remain upon the road.
Read the passage from the Manas
गंग बचन सुनि मंगल मूला। मुदित सीय सुरसरि अनुकुला।। तब प्रभु गुहहि कहेउ घर जाहू। सुनत सूख मुखु भा उर दाहू।। दीन बचन गुह कह कर जोरी। बिनय सुनहु रघुकुलमनि मोरी।। नाथ साथ रहि पंथु देखाई। करि दिन चारि चरन सेवकाई।। जेहिं बन जाइ रहब रघुराई। परनकुटी मैं करबि सुहाई।। तब मोहि कहँ जसि देब रजाई। सोइ करिहउँ रघुबीर दोहाई।। सहज सनेह राम लखि तासु। संग लीन्ह गुह हृदय हुलासू।। पुनि गुहँ ग्याति बोलि सब लीन्हे। करि परितोषु बिदा तब कीन्हे।।
Hearing Ganga's words, which were the very root of auspiciousness, Sita felt great joy, for the sacred river had shown her kindness. Then the Lord told Guha to return home. Hearing this, Guha's face went pale and a burning ache filled his heart. With humble words and folded hands, Guha pleaded: 'O jewel of Raghu's line, please hear my prayer. Let me walk beside you, my Lord, and show you the way. Let me serve at your feet for just these few days. In whichever forest you choose to dwell, O Lord of the Raghus, I will build a lovely hut of leaves for you there. After that, whatever command you give me, I will carry it out. I swear it on the name of Raghuvira.' Seeing Guha's love, so natural and so deep, Rama took him along, and Guha's heart overflowed with delight. Then Guha called together all his kinsmen, consoled them lovingly, and sent them home with his blessings.