Guha Learns That Village Life Is Forbidden
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 88
Doha 88 · Movement 2 of 2
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For fourteen years Ram must live in the forest with the dress and food of a sage. The conditions of exile are exact, not symbolic.
Village life therefore cannot receive the travellers, even when offered through Guha's complete devotion. Comfort would violate the command whose truth Ram has come to preserve.
Hearing this, Guha's joyful heart grows heavy. Service has opened every door of his city, but love must now accept the beloved's refusal. He learns that hospitality may need to accompany without possessing and honour a vow it wishes it could soften.
Guha's city stands open, yet love bows to the forest vow and lets its offered comfort remain unused.
Read the passage from the Manas
बरष चारिदस बासु बन मुनि ब्रत बेषु अहारु। ग्राम बासु नहिं उचित सुनि गुहहि भयउ दुखु भारु।।88।।
For fourteen years, dwelling in the forest, living as a sage in dress and food. Hearing that village-life was not fitting for them, Guha's heart grew heavy with sorrow.