Guha Chooses Discernment before Battle
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 192
Doha 192 · Movement 2 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
The warriors remain gathered at the riverbank, but Guha changes the nature of their command. They are to hold the ghat together, not rush blindly into combat.
He will go forward himself and seek the heart of the matter. Friend, enemy, or some middle condition must be known through meeting before the settlement acts.
The protected crossing remains secure while inquiry travels beyond it. Guha neither abandons vigilance nor worships his first conclusion. He allows knowledge to stand between suspicion and force. In that pause, his fierce devotion becomes capable of receiving Bharata's devotion, and the river about to divide two armed companies prepares instead to witness the meeting of two servants of Ram.
Guha leaves his warriors guarding the shore while he goes to discover whether the approaching heart is friend or foe.
Read the passage from the Manas
गहहु घाट भट समिटि सब लेउँ मरम मिलि जाइ। बूझि मित्र अरि मध्य गति तस तब करिहउँ आइ।।192।।
"All warriors, hold the riverbank. I shall go and learn the true situation. Once I understand who is friend and who is foe, I shall return and act accordingly."