The people started home, next day morning
Cursing fate for hitting without a warning
Rama’s talk that they had put Him in shame
Had caught them by the neck and made them tame
They approached Rama to bid farewell
And apologised to Him, for trying to rebel
“Rama, last night was the most blest of our lives
The most precious page in our minds' archives”
Out of love for You we came here
Hoping to stay with You, always near
Not to disobey You and hurt Your heart
Sorry for acting without a second thought”
Lord Rama smiled at them, feeling relieved
He was not hurt, like everyone believed
He spoke such words only to get things done
In getting what He wanted, He always won
“I was planning to sit under a tree
Without food, until you let me be free
Thanks for not pushing me to that extent
Please forgive me, considering my intent”
“Rama, like a banyan, You are rooted strong
In values and beliefs that never go wrong
We are like children playing on its branches
Without knowing how deep its root ranges
Anyway we are happy we tried our best
If not, could we have taken one night’s rest?
Along with You, hearing Your forefathers’ stories
Relishing in values and wonderful memories
Once You complete the fourteen years
Do not make us shed these helpless tears
Please come back and redeem Your throne
Till then our hearts will be a lifeless stone”
Lord Rama smiled and spoke His thought
Who never felt enchained by the fatal knot
“Redeeming the throne is out of choice
Regarding this, never raise your voice
Coming back is something I can
I can live with you as a common man
With Bharatha, my bro, I will continue rapport
For his rule to shine, giving counsel and support
Anyway I will be there to work for you
For which we brothers will stand in queue
Remember my lineage of Raghu, The Great
You can depend on my words without debate”
The people listened as if hearing a lesson
The burdens of their hearts, a little, did lessen
The prospect of Rama being with them
Though in the future, assuaged them
Towards Ayodhya, for a journey, they got set
And said bye to The Three with eyes that were wet
Turning back often they began to walk
Started their vehicles and traveled without a talk
Sumanthra wanted to serve Rama a little more
So now, all were gone except for the four
Lord Rama accepted Sumanthra’s request
Seeing Sumanthra’s intention, strong and earnest
Sumanthra drove The Three up to the Ganges
Which cleanses the earth from The Himalayan ranges
Shringhiverapuram was the name of the place
Which was ruled by Guha, of the Nishada race
The Nishada people were hunters by profession
They matched lions and tigers in strength and aggression
Though by looks they were husky and rough
To get along with, they were not tough
Guha was Lord Rama’s longtime friend
With their lives on each other, they would depend
Rama and His brothers used to stay at his place
To take some rest after their hunting chase
Guha learnt of Rama’s arrival through his spies
Joy and love oozed from his eager eyes
He became excited and started at once
To prepare dishes with his wife and sons
He went to see Rama with those dishes
Cooked with care and love, mostly fishes
He also took a lot of jungle produce
Honey and fruits, he got in profuse
Rama was performing His evening ablutions
Propitiating the Sun as per Veda’s conclusions
Guha waited for Rama with gifts and food
Like, while waiting for God, a devotee would
Guha saw Rama clad in ochre robe
He felt in his heart a grief filled throb
News of Rama’s exile had already reached his ear
But seeing Rama like that, was difficult to bear
Rama came to Guha, after His worship
And embraced Guha in pure friendship
Rama introduced Guha and Sita to each other
He mentioned of Guha as His fourth brother
Guha had always been hesitant considering his status
But Rama had always adored him, as a pure white lotus
Guha now offered to Rama the gifts he brought
Lakshman on Rama’s behalf received the lot
On seeing the food that was all non vegetarian
Lakshman frowned, being quite a disciplinarian
Without Rama’s concern he did not want to speak
Lord Rama’s opinion about this, he did seek
Lord Rama looked at Guha with merciful eyes
Spoke his mind with words gentle and nice
“Guha, you know so well what we usually eat
And yet you have brought, fish and meat”
Guha was in a state of regret and despair
To the situation at hand, he thought of a repair
He spoke his reason with tears brimming
And a forced smile to hide his heart’s dimming
“Ram and Lakshman, please accept my apology
Of course to some extent I know Your ideology
About Your exile, when I heard news
I heard, You will be eating only jungle produce”
“Since then I have been awaiting Your presence,
Hunting and fishing. To give You these as presents
I am sorry for this shortcoming of mine
I have delicious fruits, please do dine”
To remove those dishes, Guha ordered his servant
To the expressions of Guha, Rama was observant
Rama noticed behind the forced smile
Regret and shame were starting to pile
Rama thought of the efforts His friend must have taken
He did not want His friend to be in shame, and shaken
Rama smiled at Guha and acted innocent
To taste the dishes, He sought Guha’s consent
“Please do not order them to be taken away
My vegetarian vow I can keep at bay
For quite sometime, I have had wishes
To know the taste of non-vegetarian dishes”
Lakshman was now completely in shock
And turned towards Sita, if She would block
But She was preparing to serve Rama
He could not understand, this new drama
Both Rama and Sita relished the food
And told Guha that it tasted good
Seeing this, Lakshman too followed suit
For what Rama laid was Lakshman’s route
Guha’s heart was filled with content
He sure understood Lord Rama’s intent
His heart and ego melted for The Lord
Rama had tied his heart with the love cord
After the supper they wanted to rest
Guha invited them to his humble nest
Lord Rama explained to Guha that it was not possible
And preferred to stay in the open with what was feasible
Thus Lord Rama, the friend of the humble
Accepts offerings with love without a mumble
Provided they are our devotion’s form
Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!
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