Having spoken thus, Guha, the lord of the Nishadas, gathered gifts of fish, meat, and honey and approached Bharata with reverence. As Guha drew near, Sumantra, the wise and courteous charioteer, informed Bharata, saying, “Here comes Guha, the chief, surrounded by a thousand kinsmen. Skilled in the Dandaka forest, elder, and a friend to your brother, he approaches.” Sumantra continued, “Let Guha, the Nishada chief, see you, descendant of Kakutstha; without doubt, he knows where Rama and Lakshmana are.” Hearing these auspicious words, Bharata quickly replied, “Let Guha see me.” With permission granted, Guha, delighted and accompanied by his kinsmen, approached Bharata, bowed respectfully, and spoke: “This place is our settlement, and we too have been deceived. We all inform you—stay among your own community of servants. Here are roots and fruits brought by the Nishadas, fresh and dried meat, and abundant wild food, both high and low. I hope your army, having eaten, will spend this night here; honored and with your desires fulfilled, tomorrow you may depart with your troops.” The eighty-fifth sarga is thus recited in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa. Addressed in this way, Bharata, wise and discerning, replied to Guha, the lord of the Nishadas, 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.” After speaking thus, the illustrious Bharata, radiant in might, again addressed Guha with excellent words: “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.” Hearing these words, Guha, who knew the ways of the forest, spoke with joined palms, “Servants skilled with bows will accompany you, and I too will follow, 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 Guha’s cautious words, Bharata replied gently, 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 Bharata’s words, Guha’s face brightened with joy, and he spoke again, 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.” As Guha was thus conversing with Bharata, the sun lost its brilliance and night approached. Guha, having arranged the army, was satisfied, and together with Shatrughna, the illustrious one returned again to his resting place. Yet, a sorrow born of anxious thought came upon the great-souled Bharata, who did not deserve such grief, being so devoted to righteousness. An inner burning tormented Rāghava, as a hidden fire scorches a tree parched by the forest blaze. Sweat from the fire of grief flowed from all his limbs, just as the Himalaya, heated by the sun’s rays, releases its snow. With the mountain of meditation as his cavern, sighs as its minerals, the multitude of dejected trees, and peaks of sorrow and fatigue, he was overwhelmed by the great mountain of suffering, by the endless force of bewilderment, by the bamboo of burning pain, and by the herbs of distress—the son of Kaikeyi. Sighing deeply, his mind greatly troubled, his awareness confused, fallen into dire misfortune, Bharata found no peace, tormented by the fever of his heart, like a bull struck down from its herd. Then Guha, of great understanding and accompanied by his people, approached Bharata, who was deeply distressed, and sought to comfort him regarding his elder brother. Hear now the eighty-sixth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa. Guha, who dwells in the forest, spoke to Bharata of the noble character of the great-souled Lakṣmaṇa, whose qualities are immeasurable: “I spoke to Lakṣmaṇa, who remained awake, endowed with virtues, holding his excellent bow and arrows, ever intent on protecting his brother. ‘Dear one, here is a comfortable bed prepared for you; be at ease and rest upon it happily, O delight of the Raghus. All these people are accustomed to hardship, but you are worthy of comfort; we shall keep watch for the sake of protecting this righteous one. There is no one on earth dearer to me than Rāma; do not be anxious—I say this truly before you. By his favor, I hope for great fame in this world, for the attainment of righteousness, and for abundant and pure prosperity. Thus, I shall protect my dear friend Rāma as he sleeps with Sītā, bow in hand, together with all my kinsmen.