At Guha’s command, five hundred youthful, well-armed boatmen stood ready, each group of a hundred assigned to a hundred boats, prepared to serve. He declared that once Bharata was satisfied after meeting with Rama, the fortunate army would cross the Ganga that very day. Having thus resolved, Guha, the lord of the Nishadas, gathered gifts of fish, meat, and honey and approached Bharata. Seeing Guha and his retinue drawing near, Sumantra, the wise and courteous charioteer, informed Bharata, “This is Guha, the chief, surrounded by a thousand of his kinsmen. He is skilled in the ways of the Dandaka forest, an elder, and a dear friend to your brother.” Sumantra continued, “Let Guha, chief of the Nishadas, see you, descendant of Kakutstha, for he surely knows where Rama and Lakshmana are.” Hearing these auspicious words, Bharata promptly said, “Let Guha see me.” With permission granted, Guha, delighted and accompanied by his kinsmen, approached Bharata. Bowing respectfully, he spoke: “This settlement is ours, and we too have been affected by recent events. We inform you—please stay here among your own people. The Nishadas have brought roots and fruits, fresh and dried meat, and abundant wild fare of every kind. May your army eat well and spend the night here, honored and their wishes fulfilled. Tomorrow, you may depart with your troops.” Thus ended that sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Bharata, wise and discerning, replied to Guha with words full of reason and purpose: “O friend of my teacher, your wish is fulfilled; you alone desire to honor my entire army in this way.” With these words, the illustrious Bharata, radiant in might, further addressed Guha: “By which path should I go to the hermitage of Bharadvāja, O Guha? The forest here is dense, and the bank of the Ganga is difficult to cross.” Hearing the prince’s question, Guha, who knew the forest well, joined his palms and replied, “My skilled men, masters of the bow, will accompany you, and I too will follow you, O renowned prince. Yet, I wonder—surely you do not come with ill intent toward Rama, whose deeds are blameless? The presence of such a great army gives me pause.” To this, Bharata replied gently, his words as clear as the sky, “May such misfortune never arise; you must not suspect me. Raghava is my elder brother, equal to my father. I am going to bring back Kakutstha, who dwells in the forest. Think no other thought, Guha—I speak the truth.” Hearing these sincere words, Guha’s face lit up with joy. He said, “Blessed are you! I see no one on earth your equal, who would renounce a kingdom that has come to him unasked. Surely your fame will spread through all the worlds, for you seek to restore Rama, who has fallen into hardship.” As Guha and Bharata conversed, the sun lost its brilliance and night descended. Guha, having arranged the army’s needs, was satisfied, and together with Shatrughna, returned to his resting place. Yet Bharata, great-souled and devoted to righteousness, was overcome by sorrow born of anxious thought—a grief he did not deserve. An inner fire of grief tormented him, as a hidden flame scorches a tree parched by forest blaze. Sweat, born of that burning sorrow, flowed from his limbs, like the Himalaya releasing its snows under the sun’s rays. His mind became a cavern of meditation, sighs its minerals, his thoughts a forest of withered trees, and his heart a mountain of sorrow and fatigue. Overwhelmed by suffering, confusion, and pain, the son of Kaikeyi could find no peace, sighing deeply, tormented and restless, like a bull struck down from its herd. Seeing Bharata so afflicted, Guha, wise and compassionate, approached with his people and sought to comfort him regarding his elder brother. Now begins the next sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Guha, dweller of the forest, spoke to Bharata of Lakshmana’s noble character—his immeasurable virtues. “I spoke to Lakshmana, who remained ever wakeful, his excellent bow and arrows in hand, ever intent on protecting his brother. I said to him, ‘Dear one, here is a comfortable bed prepared for you; rest upon it happily, O delight of the Raghus. These others are accustomed to hardship, but you deserve comfort. We will keep watch for the sake of this righteous one. There is no one on earth dearer to me than Rama; do not be anxious—I say this truly before you.