In the previous episode we witnessed that, upon having a closer look at Bharata, Guha was moved to tears and with a melted heart, his long and strong bow automatically fell down from his hands, on to the floor!
In today’s episode we can witness in detail as to how the mindset of Guha changed within minutes upon seeing Bharata! Just before Bharata arrived close to him, Guha was all in anger and fury towards him and we saw that he suspected Bharata’s purpose of visit with such a huge army! Kamba Naadar in his Ramayana in Tamil, brings out this contrasting feeling in a beautiful way as follows. Guha thus, says to his followers:
“Aaza nedunthirai aaru kadandhu ivar povaaro!
Vezha nedum padai kandu vilangidum villaalo!
Thozhamai kondu avar solliya sol oru sollandro!
Ezhamai vedanirambina endru ennai yesaaro!!”
Here, Guha appeals to his followers, “If at all I let this Bharata and army cross the river Ganges without confrontation, tomorrow the entire world would proclaim that this Guha could have rather died rather than living with the guilt of allowing Bharata to kill Rama! Even after Rama has proclaimed to the world that Guha is his fourth brother, if this Guha lets someone proceed further and kill Rama, what would be the validity of Rama’s words? Shouldn’t I sacrifice my life and save Rama from Bharata? Bharata is thinking that he could easily defeat me and cross the Ganges to reach Rama! But he cannot! Until I have the last drop of blood in my body, I’ll never allow Bharata to cross the Ganges and reach Rama!”
Such was the intention of Guha before he sees Bharata! But after Guha sees Bharata and his face, his entire fury was burnt to ashes! Look at the contrast in the feelings now! He now says,
“Nambiyum naayakanum okkinnaan!
Ayal ninnaar thambiyum okkinnaan!
Thava vedam kalaikkondaan!!”
Here, Kamba Naadar beautifully portrays the change of stance of Guha! Now Guha thinks within himself as his bow automatically falls on to the ground – “Oh My Goodness! This Bharata looks exactly like his brother Rama! (Nambiyum naayakanum okkinnaan!”) Both Rama and Bharata look so similar in appearance! How is this possible? Similarly, this Shathrughna looks very similar to Lakshmana! (“Ayal ninnaar thambiyum okkinnaan!”) Both of them are wearing the dress of a Tapasvi! (“Thava vedam kalaikkondaan!”) Oh! If there are brothers in any corner of this world, they should be united and devoted like these four!”
Kamba Naadar continues to say,
“Sindhanai mugatthil theeki! Theevalai enna neerthu!”
In the continuing line of the paasuram, Kamba Naadar says that Guha reads Bharata’s face. As we all know the proverb, “Face is the index of the Mind”, upon seeing Bharata’s face, Guha implodes with tears of joy because Bharata is in full thoughts of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana and is so eager to see them! Now Guha says to Bharata with tears in his eyes, “Oh Bharata! After a long thought process about you, I conclude that, you are one step better than even a thousand Ramas’ put together! Your mother had plucked away the kingdom that was due to be Rama’s! You could have very well ruled Ayodhya according to the boon that was granted by your father! However, you rejected everything and came along to see Rama with all your devotion and love! I have no words to describe your greatness!”
Thus, Guha was in all praise for Bharata at last, and guides him with the way to reach Chithrakoota to meet Rama. Such was the greatness of Bharata’s devotion to Bhagawan! We shall thus experience and appreciate this devotion of Bharata for today and wait till the next episode to witness the next series of events that took place! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 