Guha
Also known as: King Guha / Nishádas’ king · Family: Nishádas · Role: Nisháda king · First appears: Book II, Canto 50 · The Halt Under The Ingudí
In Book II, Canto 50, Guha welcomed Ráma with friendship, offering his kingdom and hospitality, but Ráma declined the gifts and continued his forest life. In Canto 52, Guha remained behind with Sumantra as Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá crossed Gangá; when they were out of sight, Guha went homeward with Sumantra.
In Canto 84, Guha welcomed Bharat and his host at Gangá’s shore, offering them lodging and provisions. In Canto 85, Bharat assured Guha that he meant to bring Ráma home, saying, “He is my eldest brother, he Is like a father dear to me.” Guha and Bharat spoke as friends, and in Canto 100 Guha met Sumantra as the princes approached their forest retreat.
Relationship record
Life events
- Guha offered Ráma his kingdom and hospitality, but Ráma declined the gifts.(Book II, Canto 50 · The Halt Under The Ingudí)
- With: Ráma
- “But all these friendly gifts of thine, Bound to refuse, I must decline. Grass, bark, and hide my only wear, And woodland roots and fruit my fare, On duty all my heart is set; I seek the woods, an anchoret.”
- Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá cross Gangá by boat and leave Sumantra and Guha behind.(Book II, Canto 52 · The Crossing Of Gangá · 📍 Gangá)
- With: Ráma Lakshmaṇ Sítá Sumantra
- “Farewell to wise Sumantra said, And Guha, with the train he led. So Ráma took, on board, his stand, And urged the vessel from the land. Then swift by vigorous arms impelled Her onward course the vessel held, And guided by the helmsman through The dashing waves of Gangá flew.”
- Sumantra turns homeward with Guha after Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá leave.(Book II, Canto 52 · The Crossing Of Gangá)
- With: Sumantra
- “Sumantra, when his watchful eye The royal youths no more could spy, Turned from the spot whereon he stood Homeward with Guha from the wood.”
- Guha offers Bharat and his host the lodging and provisions of his country.(Book II, Canto 84 · Guha’s Anger · 📍 Gangá’s shore)
- With: Bharat
- “But what we have I give thee all: Rest in the lodging of thy thrall. See, the Nishádas here have brought The fruit and roots their hands have sought: And we have woodland fare beside, And store of meat both fresh and dried.”
- Bharat assures Guha he intends to bring Ráma home, dispelling Guha’s fear that he plots against him.(Book II, Canto 85 · Guha And Bharat)
- With: Bharat
- “Suspect me not: ne’er come the time For me to plot so foul a crime! He is my eldest brother, he Is like a father dear to me. I go to lead my brother thence Who makes the wood his residence.”
Book II, Canto 50 · The Halt Under The Ingudí
- friends with Ráma “And friendship brings thee now to greet Thy guest thus humbly on thy feet.”
Book II, Canto 51 · Lakshman’s Lament
- friends with Ráma “Guard my dear friend with all my band.”
Book II, Canto 52 · The Crossing Of Gangá
- friends with Ráma “Then Ráma, lord of glory high, Thus to King Guha made reply: “Thanks for thy gracious care, my lord:”
Book II, Canto 59 · Dasaratha’s Lament
- with Ráma (Guha hosted Sumantra while he waited for a message from Ráma.) “With Guha all that day I stayed, Still by the earnest hope delayed That Ráma, ere the time should end, Some message from the wood might send.”
Book II, Canto 83 · The Journey Begun
- friends with Ráma “There, with his friends and kinsmen nigh, Dwelt Guha, Ráma’s dear ally,”
Book II, Canto 84 · Guha’s Anger
- friends with Ráma “But Ráma’s slave and friend am I; He is my lord and dear ally.”
- with Bharat (Guha comes when summoned by Bharat.) “King Guha, with his kinsmen near, Rejoiced the summoning to hear: He nearer drew, bowed low his head, And thus to royal Bharat said:”
- protégé: Bharat “But what we have I give thee all: Rest in the lodging of thy thrall.”
Book II, Canto 85 · Guha And Bharat
- friends with Bharat “As Guha thus, and Bharat, each To other spoke in friendly speech,”
- with Bharat (Guha offers to accompany Bharat.) “And I will journey by thy side.”
- friends with Ráma “Thou, friend of him whom I revere, With honours high hast met me here,”
Book II, Canto 87 · Guha’s Story
- protégé: Ráma “Of all I had I brought the best To serve my good and honoured guest”
- friends with Ráma “No gifts, my friend, may we accept: Our law is, Give, and must be kept.”
Book II, Canto 89 · The Passage Of Gangá
- with Bharat (Bharat addresses Guha as king.) “And Bharat, Ráma’s faithful slave, Thus to the king his answer gave: “The night has sweetly passed, and we Are highly honoured, King, by thee.”
- protégé: Bharat “Thus with the help the monarch gave The army crossed pure Gangá’s wave:”
Book II, Canto 99 · Bharat’s Approach
- lord: Bharat “With bow, sword, arrows in their hands Let Guha with his kindred bands Within this grove remaining trace The children of Kakutstha’s race.”
Book II, Canto 100 · The Meeting
- with Sumantra (They come together to meet the princes.) “Guha, Sumantra came to meet The princes in their wild retreat.”
Book VI, Canto 125 · The Return
- friends with Ráma “There Śringavera’s towers ascend Where Guha reigns, mine ancient friend.”
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Extracted from the original text of The Rámáyan of Válmíki. Made with Rho MD.