15. Guha episode according to Kamban
Rama , Seetha and Lakshmana waliked on foot after bidding goodbye to Sumanthra. Kamban enjoys the walking of Rama which he describes by a beautiful verse.
veyyOn oLi than mEniyin virichodhiyin maraiya
poyyO ennum idaiyaaLOdum iLaiyaanOdum pOnaan
maiyO maragathamO maRikadalO mazaimugilO
aiyo ivan vadivu enbadhu Or aziyaa azagudaiyaan
The light of the Sun disappeared in the lustre of Rama. He walked with Seetha whose slender figure belied the existence of a waist, 'poyyO enum idai,' and with his younger brother. Kamban describing the beauty of Rama says that he makes one wonder whether it is the collyrium, or emerald, or the deep blue ocean or the rainbearing cloud that is waliking and finally finding not suitable term to describe Rama, says that his beauty which is eternal makes the beholder exclaim, "Alas! What a form! " Kamban uses the word `aiyo,' which normally denotes alarm but here it denoted the desperation of the poet in finding suitable word to describe Rama. But he further described Rama walking along with Seetha enjoying the scenes on the way in many beautiful verses This verse is one of the gems of Kamban.
The sages of the region came to see Rama bringing fruits and roots suited for a hermit and told them to bathe in
At the nightfall Rama and Seetha slept there and Guha was keeping watch along with Lakshman who told him the reason of Rama coming to the forest. Guha , says Kamban, was standing the whole night with his bow and arrow, shedding tears looking at Lakshmana and Rama.
The next day Guha was asked by Rama to fetch the boat when Guha said that Rama could stay with him and he will serve Rama with joy with all his followers. Rama smiled at him and said that he would come to the abode of Guha while returning. Then he brought the boat and they crossed the river when Guha prayed that Rama should allow him also to go with them on Rama asking him the way to chithrakoota. He said that he will do all the service to Rama like making a hermitage, bringing food etc. as He knew the whole forest well. Rama refused saying that Guha should remain there to look after his clan. Here Rama of Kamban said the famous oft-quoted words,
En uyir anaaiyaay nee, iLaval un iLaiyaan
innannudhalavaL nin kEL--------
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Anbu uLa, ini naam Or aivargaL uLar aanOm
" You are as dear to me as my own life and Lakshmana is your younger brother ans Seetha is your kith and kin. With you we have become five brothers. "
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