Hari Om.
Let us begin the eighty fifth sarga of the ayOdhyA kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
The army and the large entourage of the ikshAku scion bharata reaches SRngabErapura on the banks of gangA. The prince orders them to halt there for the day and goes to the river to complete the evening ablutions. In the meanwhile, guha, ever vigilant of rAma’s well being wonders why bharata is mobilizing such a large army and unsure of the prince’s intentions. He prepares for the worst and orders his kinsmen to take positions and keep vigil on the river, should bharata’s intention be to harm rAma, they shall fight the ikshvAku army, tooth and nail is the suggestion! Having made his army ready, he proceeds with trusted lieutenants to meet bharata and divine his intentions! He meets him and courteously welcomes him with appropriate offering of hospitality. Onwards…
Responding to the courteous hospitality of guha, bharata was very pleased and touched. He appreciated this warm hearted gesture from the local king to offer hospitality to the entire contingent. He said – “O guha, I really appreciate your warm hearted hospitality. I further would like to know how do I reach the hermitage of sage bharadwAja from this marshy banks of gangA. The path to there looks really treacherous. Please advise about the route to the ASram of the sage”. To this sincere question, guha responded reverentially with folded palms – “Sure, O prince, we fishermen, well armed and well versed about the route shall accompany you. However this large army of yours raises a bit of doubt in me about your intentions towards rAma and if you want to cause any harm to him”!
The bharata of a heart as pure as the sky replied calmly – “O guha, listen to the truth, such a time shall never come, you need not doubt my intentions. rAma is my fatherly elder brother. I am going to bring him back to ayOdhyA and you need not entertain any doubt whatsoever in this matter”.
The tribal king guha was absolutely delighted to learn this and his face lit up with happiness and he said – “O bharata, you are indeed blessed! There is just no one equal to you. You are ready to forego this kingdom that has come to you without any effort on your part. The fame that bringing rAma back will be historic and eternal. That will be an inspiration for the world to follow”.
धन्यस्त्वं न त्वया तुल्यं पश्यामि जगतीतले।
अयत्नादागतं राज्यं यस्त्वं त्यक्तुमिहेच्छसि।।2.85.12।।
शाश्वती खलु ते कीर्तिर्लोकाननुचरिष्यति।
यस्त्वं कृच्छ्रगतं रामं प्रत्यानयितुमिच्छसि।।2.85.13।।
As bharata and guha conversed thus, night fell. The large army of bharata was entreated warmly by the tribal king and everyone including bharata retired for the day. But the thought of rAma and his exile troubled bharata no end. He was sad, although he deserved none of it. The guilt scorched his heart like the unseen forest fire consumes the forest. Just like the ice caps on the mountain himavAn melt and result in water flow, the heat of this fire of grief caused bharata to sweat profusely all over.
His grief was Himalayan! His deep contemplations were the rocks of the mountain. The resulting sighs were the minerals. His misery was the woods, and his sorrow were the peaks. Disillusionment was the creatures, sorrow was the bamboo trees.
ध्याननिर्धरशैलेन विनिश्श्वसितधातुना।
दैन्यपादपसंघेन शोकायासाधिशृङ्गिणा।।2.85.19।।
प्रमोहानन्तसत्त्वेन सन्तापौषधिवेणुना।
आक्रान्तो दुःखशैलेन महता कैकयीसुतः।।2.85.20।।
Such a grief of himalayan proportions consumed bharata. The grief resulted in heavy sighs, feverish feeling, heavy heart, dulled senses and calamitous thoughts. He was bereft of joy like a bull separated from the herd. Distraught bharata approached guha and shared his misery with him. The tribal king guha consoled bharata in many ways and assured him about the welfare of rAma.
Here we conclude the eighty fifth sarga of the ayOdhyA kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 2.86. guha recalls lakshmaNa’s laments
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 