||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 33– Ayodhya Kandam

 Bharatha's meeting with Nishadharaja Guha

On the first day of the journey to Thrikoot, they halted on the riverbank of Thamasa, and the next halt was on the river banks of Godavari. Some of them consumed milk and some of them had fruits, and some of them had a meal in the night, they had abandoned the ornaments, and comfortable items, followed strict austerities for the welfare of Rama. On the next day, they all reached the village Srunghabheripura.   Nishadha Raja Guha who was watching the huge procession of Bharatha and the people of Ayodhya was immersed in various thoughts “Why Bharatha did take a visit to the forest at this time? He must have some evil intentions, if he has no wicked idea, why did he bring a huge army of people? He must have decided to kill Rama and Lakshmana and take possession of the Kingdom, he did not understand the Rajaneethi properly, and previously he had brought the blame upon him, now he is meeting his death. Even if he brings the army of deities and demons, he could not win over the battle against Sri Rama. It is nothing to get surprised; a toxic plant like Kaikeyi cannot produce nectar-like fruits.” Guha warned his people “All of you keep alert and keep ready all the ferries in the water, and block the way to the ferries. Be ready with your weapons, do not let anyone enter the waterways, be ready to fight courageously, and meet your deaths. I have decided to attack Bharatha and his army men. I will not let him or his men cross the river Ganga, fight for the welfare of Rama, die on the river banks of Ganga, fight fearlessly against Bharatha who is the brother of Rama, king of Ayodhya and sacrifice your life for Rama, in this way we can offer our destructible body at the feet of Rama. Bharatha is a King and I am from the lowly clan, it is a high fortune to achieve death fighting for the welfare of our Master, I will sacrifice my life for Raghunatha. If I win over Bharatha, I could add welfare to Rama, If not I could attain the abode of Rama.  People whose life without the devotion to Rama, or keeps away from the association of saintly men and ascetics are meaningless and futile on the Earth, they are a burden to the Mother Earth, and they are axe to the youthfulness of their mother.

Nidhasharaja, enthused his people and wielded in bow and arrow, contemplated upon Rama, he instructed villagers to be ready with all the weapons to fight against Bharatha, motivated them and everyone enthusiastically followed Guha. All of them were highly valorous and skilled on the battlefield. All of them were wielded in bow and arrow, mace, spear, axe, etc.. They were highly experienced in the sword fight, performed their magic acts.  All those warriors wielded in the weapons they are experienced stood in groups and bow down before their chief Guha. He called their names and congratulated their skills, and praised them. The warriors spoke “Oh! Prabho, we will not leave the enemies, or their horses to enter waterways with the grace of Lord Rama. We will not step back till our lives lingering on us; we will spread the corpse of the enemies on the Earth.” The announcement for the war was about to begin, instantly a warrior on his left sneezed, an elderly one advised, it is a good omen, therefore, it is not advisable to battle against Bharatha without knowing his intention or his nature, it is foolish to fight against him and bring afflictions to their own clan, immediately they have put down their weapons. Guha instructed them to close the waterways, decided to have a peace talk and understand the intention of Bharatha’s visit to the forest. Guha collected an abundance of fruits and fiber roots in several cane baskets, and moved to Bharatha for a peace talk, on his way Guha could experience various auspicious omens.

Guha stood far from preceptor Vashishta and prostrated before him and introduced him as the chief of tribes. Sage Vashishta informed Bharatha about Guha who is the sincere companion of Rama in the forest, soon Bharatha got out of the chariot and rushed towards Guha who introduced his clan, caste, and name to Bharatha and prostrated before him was raised and embraced affectionately. Bharatha felt it was Lakshman before him, could not control his love for his brother. Bharatha received Guha with intense love; the villagers praised Bharatha watching his humility, compassion, and kindness.  The deities showered flower upon Bharatha and praised “ Guha from tribal clan whose shadow itself is impure, according to Veda and Shastra, but Bharatha did not take notice of his clan, embraced him affectionately. People who relentlessly recite the name of Rama would get rid of all the sins, Guha was embraced by Rama, in this way he and his family and his people have achieved the highest of the piousness. The river Karmanasha is a cursed one, confluence with Ganga at a certain point, who’s not willing to adore that water on their head? The entire world knows that Sage Valmiki who recited the sacred name of Rama as Ma Ra and became respectable like Bhrama. The people who were born in the lowly caste of Chandala,  Beela, Gasi, Yavana, Kola, Kiratha recites the names of Rama and achieves purity and eminence, and it is happening in several Yugas now, therefore nothing to get surprised. Who is not achieved the highest of the piousness with their devotion to Raghuveera?” In this way, the deities praised the significance of the sacred names of Rama.