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Continued from yesterday’s instalment
 There are hundreds of stories to depict the power of love and pure devotion. We know the story that Krishna could not be weighed against gold - tons of it - offered by Sathyabama whereas the simple - and single - Tulasi leaf placed on the balance by Rukmini equalled His weight. We also know the story of Kuchela - Sudhama - who brought a very simple offering,
aval, (rice flakes) to the palace of Krishna and how joyfully the Lord took it.
Here comes a simple boatman and a hunter. What would he eat as a delicacy? As a hunter, he frequented the forests and had a plentiful supply of honey. The best of it. He was a person who lived in the banks of the Ganges and naturally he lived on fish. What is good for him must be good for the Lord also. Therefore, Guha had taken along with him honey and the best of fish with him when he went to meet Rama who was staying in a hermitage, in the company of great sages! How would he know that the sages did not eat fish and that taking it inside the abode of a hermit is abominable?
‘sirungibEram enath thirai gangayin marungu thOndrum nagar urai vaazhkayan.’
Guha was a resident (the king) of Srngaverapura, on the banks of Ganges.
‘orungu thEnodu meen upagaaraththan.’
He had honey and fish alike, for being offered to Rama. ‘irundha vaLLalaik kaaNa vandhu eidhinaan.’ He came to see Rama who was in the company of hermits.
Guha stood outside the doorsteps of the hermitage and immediately Lakshmana came out to see him.
‘yaavaan? yaar? ena anbin irainjinan.’ ‘Who are you? Where are you from?’ Lakshmana asked him gently and lovingly. Note the word
‘irainjinaan.’ Lakshmana solicited for information - no matter he was a prince in exile and the person to whom he was speaking was a rustic. That’s a splendid quality of the Ayodhya family. Even as a boy, when returning from his
gurukula, Rama, along with Lakshmana, used to walk his way back to the palace and did not use the chariot. Kamban describes the polite ways in which he used to converse with the citizens, whoever he comes across, so lovingly and showing all care and attention. Therefore there is no wonder that this trait could be seen in Lakshmana as well.
 ‘Bring him here,’ told Rama and Guha was brought to him.
‘kaNNanaik kaNNin nOkkik kanindhanan.’ Guha melted at the sight of Rama.
‘maN urap paNindhu mEni vaLaithu vaai pudhaithu nindraan.’
He fell at Rama’s feet. Stood before him, his body bent and stooping and his fingers covering his mouth in reverence.
‘iruththi eeNdu ennalOdum irundhilan.’ ‘Be seated here,’ said Rama, offering a seat close by. But Guha did not sit.
‘ellai neeththa aruththiyan.’ Boundless joy, love and devotion were welling up in him.
‘thEnum meenum amdhinukku amaivadhaagath thiruththinen koNarndhEn endraan.’ I have brought honey and very nicely cooked fish for you to eat.
‘en kol thriu uLam?’ What have you in mind?
I have brought the finest of fish for you to eat. I have cooked it exceedingly well.
‘amdhinukku amaivadhaagath thiruththinen.’ What would you do my royal Sir? Would you eat now?
Please remember. Rama was surrounded by sages and hermits and was in a discussion with them!
More follows...
Hari Krishnan
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