Guha Sees an Army Advancing toward Ram
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 189
Doha 189 · Movement 1 of 2
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Dawn lifts above the riverbank. Bharata's immense company moves on, and Shringaverapura draws near beneath the dust of the approaching host. News reaches Guha before the travellers reach the Ganga.
The Nishada chief stands troubled, turning each report within his heart. Why should Bharata enter the forest with an army? Protective love sharpens every uncertainty into danger. He wonders whether deceit hides beneath the royal advance and whether Ram's exile is about to become an attack.
Guha imagines Bharata seeking an unopposed throne through the death of Ram and Lakshmana. Yet even in suspicion his confidence in Ram is immovable. Gods and demons together could not defeat him. The poison Guha fears belongs to his mistaken judgment of Bharata, but the fierce root of that judgment is loyalty to his forest friend.
At the edge of the Ganga, Guha mistakes Bharata's pilgrimage for an invasion because love for Ram has placed him on watch.
Read the passage from the Manas
सई तीर बसि चले बिहाने। सृंगबेरपुर सब निअराने।। समाचार सब सुने निषादा। हृदयँ बिचार करइ सबिषादा।। कारन कवन भरतु बन जाहीं। है कछु कपट भाउ मन माहीं।। जौं पै जियँ न होति कुटिलाई। तौ कत लीन्ह संग कटकाई।। जानहिं सानुज रामहि मारी। करउँ अकंटक राजु सुखारी।। भरत न राजनीति उर आनी। तब कलंकु अब जीवन हानी।। सकल सुरासुर जुरहिं जुझारा। रामहि समर न जीतनिहारा।। का आचरजु भरतु अस करहीं। नहिं बिष बेलि अमिअ फल फरहीं।।
They spent the night on the riverbank and departed in the morning, with all the people of Shringaverapura drawing near. The Nishada chief heard all the news and pondered with deep sadness in his heart. What reason could there be for Bharata to go to the forest? Could some deceit be hidden in his heart? If there were no wickedness in his mind, then why would he bring an army with him? Perhaps he intends to kill Rama along with his brothers and enjoy the kingdom without any obstacle. If Bharata has not taken righteousness to heart, then there was disgrace before, and now there will be loss of life. Even if all the gods and demons unite as warriors, none can defeat Rama in battle. What wonder if Bharata acts this way? A poisonous vine does not bear the fruit of nectar.