Valmiki Ramayana 2.87.13 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 87, Shloka 13

गुहसंवादः—रामस्य रात्रिवासवर्णनम्

Dialogue with Guha: Account of Rama’s Night Halt

Devanagari script

सोऽब्रवीद्भरतं हृष्टो निषादाधिपतिर्गुहः।यद्विधं प्रतिपेदे च रामे प्रियहितेऽतिथौ।।।।

Transliteration

so 'bravīd bharataṃ hṛṣṭo niṣādādhipatir guhaḥ | yadvidhaṃ pratipede ca rāme priyahite 'tithau ||

Translation

Da sprach Guha, der Herr der Niṣādas, voller Freude zu Bharata und berichtete, auf welche Weise er Rāma, seinen geliebten Freund und geehrten Gast, empfangen und bewirtet hatte.

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular), सर्वनाम

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• भरतम्: Bharata
• भरतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• हृष्टः: delighted
• हृष्टः: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृष्ट (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle used adjectivally)

• निषादाधिपतिः: lord of the Nishadas
• निषादाधिपतिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निषाद + अधिपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive tatpurusha: 'निषादानाम् अधिपतिः')

• गुहः: Guha
• गुहः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• यद्विधम्: whatever way/manner
• यद्विधम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of प्रतिपेदे)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यद् + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-भाव (यद्-सम्बन्धी 'in whatever manner/way')

• प्रतिपेदे: he provided/arranged, he offered
• प्रतिपेदे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + पद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), आत्मनेपद

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• रामे: with regard to Rama / for Rama
• रामे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/with regard to)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• प्रियहिते: dear and well-wishing
• प्रियहिते: Visheshana (विशेषण of अतिथौ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय + हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारय ('प्रियं च हितं च' / 'dear and beneficial')

• अतिथौ: in/for the guest
• अतिथौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/with regard to guest)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

Context

Thereupon delighted Guha, overlord of the nishadas, told Bharata all that he had provided to Rama, his beloved friend and guest:

Characters & Entities

• Guha
• Bharata
• Rāma
• Niṣādas
• atithi (guest)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Atithi-dharma (the duty of hospitality): Guha takes joy in properly receiving and serving a guest, especially one devoted to dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

In response to Bharata’s questions, Guha begins describing the arrangements and care he provided to Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Generous hospitality and affectionate loyalty—Guha honors Rāma both as friend and as guest.