Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 84, Shloka 9
गुहस्य सन्देहः, गङ्गातीर-रक्षा, भरतस्य सत्कारः
Guha’s Suspicion, Securing the Ganga Bank, and Hospitality to Bharata
यदाऽऽदुष्टस्तु भरतो रामस्येह भविष्यति।सेयं स्वस्तिमती सेना गङ्गामद्य तरिष्यति।।।।
yadā ’duṣṭas tu bharato rāmasyeha bhaviṣyati |
seyaṃ svastimatī senā gaṅgām adya tariṣyati ||
If it turns out that Bharata is not ill-disposed toward Rāma here, then this army may cross the Gaṅgā today itself in safety.
Should it happen that Bharata is not illdisposed toward Rama, the army will safe cross the river Ganga today itself.
FAQs
Dharma requires testing assumptions with truth (satya): if Bharata’s intent is righteous, safe passage should be granted instead of needless conflict.
Guha sets a conditional decision—permit crossing only after confirming Bharata’s disposition toward Rāma.
Fair-mindedness—despite suspicion, Guha allows for the possibility of Bharata’s good intent.