Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 51, Shloka 3
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Guha’s Vigil and Lakṣmaṇa’s Lament
Night on the riverbank
उचितोऽयं जनस्सर्वः क्लेशानां त्वं सुखोचितः।गुप्त्यर्थं जागरिष्यामः काकुत्स्थस्य वयं निशाम्।।।।
ucito 'yaṁ janaḥ sarvaḥ kleśānāṁ tvaṁ sukhocitaḥ |
guptyarthaṁ jāgariṣyāmaḥ kākutsthasya vayaṁ niśām ||
ಈ ಜನರೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಕಷ್ಟಗಳಿಗೆ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸಗೊಂಡವರು; ನೀನು ಮಾತ್ರ ಸುಖಕ್ಕೆ ಯೋಗ್ಯನು. ಆದಕಾರಣ ಕಾಕುತ್ಸ್ಥ ರಾಮನ ರಕ್ಷಣಾರ್ಥವಾಗಿ ನಾವು ಇಡೀ ರಾತ್ರಿಯೂ ಜಾಗರಿಸಿ ಕಾವಲು ನಿಲ್ಲುವೆವು.
Will we ever be able, after completion of the exile, to enter the city of Ayodhya along with Rama who is true to his promise?
FAQs
Dharma here is protective service (rakṣā/gupti) offered to a righteous guest and friend—taking responsibility for another’s safety, even at personal cost (staying awake all night).
Rama is resting with Sita during the forest-exile journey; Guha, as host and ally, proposes that his people keep night watch to guard Rama.
Guha’s loyalty and selfless hospitality—he prioritizes Rama’s security over comfort.