In the region near the Gaṅgā river, Rāma’s loyal friend Guha, the heroic chief of the Niṣādas, dwelt vigilantly with his kinsmen, ever watchful and protective of his land. Meanwhile, the vast army accompanying Bharata, adorned with wheels and axes, reached the riverbank and halted there, awaiting further instructions. As Bharata surveyed the army that had faithfully followed him and the auspicious waters of the Gaṅgā, he addressed his ministers with wisdom and clarity: “Arrange my army as appropriate throughout this area. After resting tonight, we shall cross this great river tomorrow.” He added, “I wish now to offer water for my departed father, for the sake of the funeral rites, and will descend to the river for this purpose.” His ministers listened attentively and replied, “So be it.” They stationed the army, each contingent in its proper place, arraying the troops resplendently along the banks of the Gaṅgā. Bharata, his mind filled with thoughts of Rāma’s return, remained there with his noble followers. Thus concluded the eighty-fourth chapter in the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. As the army camped along the Gaṅgā, Guha, the king of the Niṣādas, quickly spoke to his kinsmen. He pointed out the great army, shining like the ocean, and admitted that, despite much thought, he could not see its end. He recognized Bharata himself, formidable in strength, arriving with a banner bearing the kovidāra tree on his chariot. Guha pondered whether Bharata intended to bind or kill the Niṣādas, or perhaps, since Rāma was exiled from the kingdom by his father, Bharata, son of Kaikeyi, sought the rare fortune of kingship and might be coming to kill Rāma. But Guha’s devotion to Rāma was unwavering. He declared, “Rāma, son of Dasharatha, is both my lord and friend; for his sake, let those devoted to him stand ready here on the bank of the Gaṅgā.” He instructed all strong and able Niṣādas living along the river to remain and guard it, subsisting on meat, roots, and fruits. He called for five hundred youthful, well-armed boatmen to stand ready, a hundred for each hundred boats. Guha resolved that when Bharata was satisfied with Rāma here, then the army, blessed with good fortune, would cross the Gaṅgā that day. With these preparations made, Guha took gifts of fish, meat, and honey and approached Bharata. Sumantra, the wise and courteous charioteer, saw Guha coming and informed Bharata: “This is Guha, the chief, surrounded by a thousand kinsmen, skilled in the Dandaka forest, elder, and your brother’s friend. Let him see you, descendant of Kakutstha; surely he knows where Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are.” Hearing these auspicious words, Bharata quickly replied, “Let Guha see me.” Delighted at the invitation, Guha approached Bharata, surrounded by his kinsmen, and bowed respectfully before speaking: “This place is a settlement, and we too have been deceived; we all inform you—stay in your own community of servants. There are roots and fruits brought by the Niṣādas, as well as fresh and dried meat, and abundant wild food, both high and low. I hope your army, having eaten, will spend this night here; honored with various desires fulfilled, tomorrow you will depart with your troops.” Thus concluded the eighty-fifth sarga in the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Bharata, wise and discerning, replied to Guha with words full of reason and purpose: “Indeed, your wish, O friend of my teacher, has been fulfilled; for you alone desire to honor such an army of mine.” The illustrious Bharata, radiant in might, then asked Guha, “By which path shall I go to the hermitage of Bharadvāja, O Guha? This region is very dense, and the bank of the Gaṅgā is hard to cross.” Guha, well-versed in the ways of the forest, responded with joined palms: “The servants, skilled with bows, will accompany you; and I too will follow you, O prince of great fame. But surely you do not go with evil intent toward Rāma, whose deeds are blameless; this great army of yours causes me some doubt.” To this, Bharata replied gently, his words as clear as the sky: “Let there never be such a time of misfortune; you should not suspect me. Rāghava is my elder brother, equal to my father. I am going to bring back Kakutstha, who dwells in the forest; do not entertain any other thought—Guha, I speak the truth to you.” Hearing these words, Guha’s face became joyful. He spoke to Bharata, delighted: “Blessed are you; I see no one on earth equal to you, who wish to renounce a kingdom that has come to you without effort. Surely your fame will follow you through the worlds, for you wish to bring back Rāma, who has fallen into hardship.” Thus, in reverence and warmth, the encounter between Bharata and Guha unfolded on the banks of the sacred Gaṅgā, as the journey to find Rāma continued.