|
Continued from yesterday’s instalment
 ‘Shocked out of senses’ would be an under-statement to describe Guha’s state of mind. He could not believe his ears. Though he came to meet Bharata convinced about his harmless intentions he was not completely clear in his mind about the possible purpose of Bharata’s visit. He certainly did not expect this answer from Bharata. ‘I have come here to correct the mistake that my father did. I intend to take Rama back to Ayodhya, give the throne back to him and make him our king,’ is what he should have said. He says instead,
‘adhanai neekka mannanaik koNarvaan endraan.’ I have come here to correct it. I have come to take the
king back to Ayodhya.
‘It is not that I am going to make him the king again. He is
already our king. I have come here just to take him back and hand the throne back to him.’ Bharata stands there as the very edifice of sincerity, honesty and love. His words are saturated with genuineness of purpose and Guha is unable to believe his ears.
‘kEttanan kiraadhar vEndhan.’ The hunter king heard this.
‘kiLarndhu ezhum uyirppan aagi,’ A long sigh emanated from deep within him.
‘meetum maN adhanil veezhndhan.’ He fell at the feet of Bharata again - the first time being when they met, before Bharata fell at his feet).
He was happy indeed in having been proved wrong in his reading of the mind of Bharata. Could such a thing happen at all! Would anyone do such a thing!
‘thaai urai koNdu, thaadhai udhaviya tharaNi thannai,’ The throne that was given to you by your father, forced by the words of your mother,
‘theevinai enna neethu,’ (if it can be) rescinded as if it were the result of misdeeds, (and)
‘sinthanai mugathil thEkkip pOyinai endra pOdhu,’ if you come here with a face clouded with sorrow, thinking deeply about the import of the deed, ‘pugazhinOi,’ O glorious one,
‘thanmai kaNdaal,’ if it is seen in perspective,
‘aayiram raamar nin kEzh aavarO theriyin amma!’ even a thousand Ramas would not match you.
‘If you follow the path of rectitude so meticulously that you throw away the throne that fell on your laps, without your having to make any effort for it, with the pressure that was applied on your father by your mother, your glory is extremely great. Even a thousand Ramas cannot match your glory.’ Look at the transformation. Look at the magic of the situation. This was the same Guha who prepared for a war with Bharata and readied his army before crossing the Ganga.
 This is a beautiful scene where both Bharata and Guha sparkle. I think we should call it ‘glow’ instead of ‘sparkle,’ in consonance with the modesty that exudes from both of them. One getting to know the other, understanding the other, recognising the greatness of the other, respecting the other making it difficult for the reader to weigh and understand who excels. Of course, it is neither fair nor wise to try to estimate whose ‘modesty’ is great. That would amount to presenting these great characters such as to ‘flaunt their modesty!’
Kamban gives a few more strokes to underline the innocence of Guha, while at the same time enabling the reader to get a glimpse of what lies in the heart of Bharata.
More follows...
Hari Krishnan
Previous
Articles
|
|
