Valmiki Ramayana 2.84.4-5: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 84, Shlokas 4-5
गुहस्य सन्देहः, गङ्गातीर-रक्षा, भरतस्य सत्कारः
Guha’s Suspicion, Securing the Ganga Bank, and Hospitality to Bharata
बन्धयिष्यति वा दाशानथवाऽस्मान्वधिष्यति ।
अथ दाशरथिं रामं पित्रा राज्याद्विवासितम् ॥४॥
सम्पन्नां श्रियमन्विच्छन्स्तस्य राज्ञ स्सुदुर्लभाम् ।
भरतः कैकयीपुत्रो हन्तुं समधिगच्छति ॥५॥
bandhayiṣyati vā dāśānathavā'smānvadhiṣyati |
atha dāśarathiṃ rāmaṃ pitrā rājyādvivāsitam ||4||
sampannāṃ śriyamanvicchanstasya rājña ssudurlabhām |
bharataḥ kaikayīputro hantuṃ samadhigacchati ||5||
అతను మమ్మల్ని బంధిస్తాడా లేక వధిస్తాడా? లేక తన తండ్రి చేత రాజ్యం నుండి వివాసితుడైన దాశరథి రాముని చంపి, ఆ రాజునకు చెందిన సులభంగా లభించని సంపన్న శ్రీని తాను పొందాలని కైకేయీ పుత్రుడైన భరతుడు ఇక్కడికి వచ్చాడా?
Could it be that Bharata, son of Kaikeyi, has come here to bind us with the cords or to slay us? Or is he marching forward with the intention of taking possession of a prosperous, rare kingdom by slaying Rama who has been banished by his father:
FAQs
The verse highlights the dharma of friendship and protective loyalty. Guha, as Rama's devoted friend and ally, feels obligated to safeguard Rama's interests against any potential threat. His suspicion of Bharata, though ultimately misplaced, arises from his commitment to mitra-dharma (the duty of a friend). The verse also raises questions about the nature of kingship and the moral implications of seeking power through violence, contrasting adharmic ambition with dharmic loyalty.
Guha, the king of the Nishadas and a devoted friend of Rama, observes Bharata's vast army approaching the banks of the Ganga near Chitrakoot where Rama is staying. Unaware of Bharata's true intentions, Guha fears that Bharata has come to harm Rama and eliminate any threat to his newly acquired throne. He voices his concerns to his kinsmen, contemplating whether they should prepare for conflict or flight, demonstrating his protective instinct toward Rama.
Guha's virtue of unwavering loyalty (bhakti and mitra-dharma) is prominently emphasized. Despite being a forest-dwelling king of humble origins, Guha considers Rama not merely his master but his friend, and he is prepared to defend Rama's interests at any cost. His suspicion of Bharata, while revealing his lack of knowledge about Bharata's true character, underscores the depth of his commitment to Rama's safety and his willingness to stand against perceived injustice.
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