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Continued from yesterday’s instalment
 That was the night on which Rama and Sita were for the first time having their nightly rest in the jungle. Rama slept on a bed of straw while Lakshmana stood guard, remaining wakeful throughout the night. Guha stood by his side.
‘thumbiyin kuzhaathin sutrum sutrathan.’ His kith and kin stood like a herd of elephants close to him.
‘thoduththa villan.’ His bow was bent and drawn.
‘vembi vendhu azhiyaa nindra nenjinan.’ His mind was boiling with anger and was full of sorrow too.
Valmiki shows a bit of a touching conversation between Guha and Lakshmana. ‘I will stand guard here. You may have your rest, offers Guha. “As such I shall with my kindred guard in everyway, bow in hand, my beloved friend, Sri Rama reposing with Sita. Nothing in this woodland is unknown to me, wandering (as I do) all the time in it. We can (also) undoubtedly get the better of surpassingly huge and exceptionally mighty army consisting of the four limbs (viz., elephants, chariots, horseman and foot soldiers.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Canto LI, Sloka 6-7)
‘I cannot sleep when my brother is lying on the grass,’ says Lakshmana. “Being protected by you who keep your duty alone in view, O sinless Guha, we all are not (the least) afraid (of any) in this land. But so long as Sri Rama (Son of Dasaratha) remains lying down on the ground with Sita, how can sleep be had by me, much less nourishment intended to keep the body and soul together or amenities of life? Behold him, who cannot be withstood in battle by all the gods and demons (put together) fast asleep with comfort on a bed of straw with Sita!” (Ibid, Sloka 8-10)/
That was a quality that was ingrained in the nature of Rama. Sita would later recall in Asokavana how Rama’s face was like a lotus in blossom - unchanging like it was painted on canvass - when the throne was offered to him as well as when he was asked to go to the jungle.
 Guha’s mind was working on something else. Rama was asked live in the forest. He wanted his Lord to stay with him. That would not be in violation of what was imposed on Rama. He would still be in the forest, under his care, though.
‘ai iru pathOdu aindhu aayirar uLar,’ he told Rama in the morning. ‘We are 50,000 strong.
‘aaNai seigunar silai vEdar.’ These hunters are at your service and would wait on you for your orders.
‘dhEvarin valiyaraal.’ (You need not be worried about their prowess!) They are stronger than the celestials.
‘uigudhum adiyEm em kudilidai orunaaL nee vaigudhi enin mEl oru vaazhvu ilai piridhu.’ We would consider ourselves fortunate and blessed if you stay with us just for one day.
Rama knew that that was a request, which if accepted, would extend to another day and another day. Where is the end for the desires of a devotee, that too when it comes to his Lord! But how difficult it is to refuse this request, without hurting the feelings of this simple minded, loving and devoted friend!
More follows...
Hari Krishnan
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