In the previous episode we had witnessed the important event of Bharata leading the entire city of Ayodhya with him in pursuit of Rama. Sage Vasishtaachaarya joins Bharata as Sumanthra leads the way. They slowly approach the banks of the river Ganges where Guha and his followers were present. The moment Guha saw such a huge caravan of Ayodhya approaching towards him, he immediately had an impression that Bharata is trying to wage a war with Rama and kill him to officially become the king of Ayodhya! Thus Guha is agitated with fury and calls for his followers to get ready to fight Bharata and co. Guha was determined not to allow Bharata’s army to cross the Ganges and confront him then and there! Thus Guha and his followers were waiting for Bharata to arrive at their place.
Bharata is now approaching closer to Guha and his followers. However to Guha’s surprise, Bharata was walking with his head bent down! He never lifted his head as he was walking towards Guha! Bharata was full of sadness and tears in his eyes as he was walking. Bharata now comes close to Guha and Sumanthra tries to introduce Guha to Bharata. It should be noted here that it is Sumanthra who was earlier interacting with Guha when Rama, Lakshmana and Sita were leaving for their exile. Hence, Sumanthra is the person who knows Guha very well. Hence he tries to introduce Bharata to Guha.
Kamba Naadar portrays this introductory dialogue beautifully in his Ramayanam in Tamil. Sumanthra points at Guha and tells Bharata, “Gangai iru karai udayaan!” which means, “He is the person who is in-charge of both the banks of river Ganges”! Bharata was not much convinced with this explanation given by Sumanthra, because, anyway he was the king of the entire country, and just being incharge of the banks of River Ganges was not something big for Bharata! Then, Sumanthra continues, “Kanakkirandha naavaayin!” which means, “He is the owner of innumerable number of boats!” Bharata still didn’t lift his head and look up! He was clearly not convinced by this explanation too! Now, Sumanthra gives the third explanation, which made Bharata lift his head up with awe – He says, “Ungal uyir thunai naadharkku uyir thunaivan!” which means, “He is one of the best and close friends of your dear brother Rama!” Upon hearing this, Bharata was shocked and lifted his head up to see who is Sumanthra referring to!
Thus as Bharata lifts his head up, Guha sees Bharata for the first time who is standing opposite to him!
“Varkhalaiyum udayaanai maasadaindha meyyaanai!
Narkalaiyin madhiyenna naghaiyenna mugathhaani!
Kal kaniya kanihindra thunayaanai, Kannuttraan!
Vil kaiyil ninnum idai vizha vimmuttru ozhindhaan!!”
In the above Tamil “Paasuram”, Kamba Naadar beautifully brings out the reaction of Guha when he sees Bharata’s face for the first time – He says, “Varkhalaiyum udayaanai”, which means that Bharata was dressed in the attire of a “Tapasvi” and not as a king. Guha was confused at this moment. He had a doubt if Bharata had already become a king or not! Kamba Naadar continues, “Maasadaindha meyyaanai”, which means, Bharata looked so dirty and like as if he hadn’t taken a bath for so many days now! Upon seeing Bharata in this state, Guha mentally thus concludes that Bharata is yet to become a king. Now Guha sees Bharata’s face closely – “Narkalaiyin madhiyenna naghaiyenna mugathhaani!” Here, “Madhi” means moon in Tamil. Thus from the above line, Kamba Naadar says that Bharata’s face was unlike the full moon with all this beauty! He was all in tears and his face was totally blank! He continues further – “Kal kaniya kanihindra thunayaanai” – Now Guha thinks within himself that upon seeing Bharata’s face, even a stone would melt in sorrow!! Such is the sadness portrayed in Bharata’s innocent face and upon seeing Bharata in this pitiful state, the bow and arrow in Guha’s hands, automatically slides down and falls on the floor! (“Vil kaiyil ninnum idai vizha vimmuttru ozhindhaan”) Thus Guha melts down into tears as he sees Bharata in this state and at this moment he completely forgets that he has to wage a war against him and stop him from advancing further down!
Guha thus concludes within himself “Oh! I think I’m no longer eligible to wage a war with this Bharata! I was under the impression that he would come towards me with a sense of pride in his face after becoming the king of Ayodhya, but all I see in Bharata’s face is sadness and sorrow! Now how will I fight with him? He looks so sincere in his love and devotion towards Rama! Upon seeing Bharata, I realize what true devotion is!”
Thus, Guha is in tears upon seeing Bharata and he is happy that Bharata is trying to bring back Rama to Ayodhya! We shall also enjoy this state of happiness and wait till the next episode to witness the conversation between Bharata and Guha – The epitomes of “Unconditional Devotion” towards Bhagawan! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 