If Šri Rãma is the personification of dharma or righteousness itself, Mother Sita demonstrates by Her conduct how a pativrata or a faithful wife should live; King Dašaratha depicts what vãtsalya or love for one's progeny means; Bharata brings out the true meaning of brotherhood; and Hanumãn portrays the behavior of an ideal servant toward his master. Likewise, by his steadfast friendship to Šri Rãma, the hunter-chieftain Guha expounds the significance of true friendship. 

Guha was a rustic woodcutter in his previous life and by devoutly worshipping Lord Nãrãyana, Guha earned the infinite grace of the Lord. When the Lord willed to incarnate Himself as Šri Rãma, He ordained His devotees as well to incarnate with Him and enact their assigned roles in the divine play that was to unfold. Accordingly, Guha was born in the hunter clan in Šringiberapuram in the outskirts of Ayodhya on the northern banks of Ganga, becoming their chieftain in course of time. From very early days, prince Šri Rãma and Guha became intimate friends and the bond between both of them only strengthened with the passage of time.

Learning that Šri Rãma, His wife Sita and brother Lakshmana would be passing through Šringiberapuram on their way to the forest, the sorrowful Guha hastened to receive his royal friend and comfort Him. The two emotionally charged friends repeatedly embraced each other with affection and thereafter Guha placed before Šri Rãma the sumptuous feast he had prepared for his friend and asked Šri Rãma to accept his hospitality. Šri Rãma smiled at Guha and politely declined to partake of it saying that He had taken a vow of asceticism and therefore, must subsist only on fruits and roots gathered by hand. Instead Šri Rãma asked Guha to feed the King's noble horses that have brought Him, Mother Sita and Lakshmana from Ayodhya.

After offering His evening worship to the setting Sun, Šri Rãma and Mother Sita rested on the bed of leaves prepared by Lakshmana while the charioteer Sumantra, Guha and Lakshmana kept all-night vigil guarding Šri Rãma and Mother Sita. Feeling sorry for Lakshmana, Guha requested him to relax for a while, but Lakshmana told Guha that it would just not be possible for him to eat or sleep when he thought of King Dašaratha's distress or the sorrow of Queens Kausalya and Sumitra or the discomforts experienced by his brother Šri Rãma and Mother Sita. 

The next morning after offering His worship to the rising Sun, Šri Rãma sent word to Guha through Lakshmana to get a strong and well-built boat ready to take them across the river. Soon Guha's attendants brought a boat to the edge of the river and as Šri Rãma, Mother Sita, and Lakshmana were walking towards the boat, Šri Rãma bade the charioteer Sumantra to return to Ayodhya and take care of the grieving King Dašaratha and Queens Kausalya & Sumitra. Despite Sumantra's pleas not to send him back to Ayodhya, Šri Rãma told Sumantra that unless he returned, Queen Kaikeyi would not be convinced that Šri Rãma had entered the forest and therefore, would persist in torturing the grieving King charging him with untruthfulness.

Turning to Guha, Šri Rãma thanked him profusely for his hospitality and wished His friend well in ruling his little kingdom. The two good friends embraced each other once again. Lakshmana helped Mother Sita to get into the boat first and thereafter, the two brothers entered the boat. As the boat began to move, Guha and Sumantra stood motionless with their gazes fixed on Šri Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshmana. After reaching the southern banks of Ganga, Šri Rãma sent the boat back to Guha and the two brothers and Mother Sita continued their southward journey by foot. On the northern banks, Guha and Sumantra were still gazing with moist eyes at the two banished princes and Mother Sita, until the royal trio slowly dropped out of their sight completely. 

ŠRI RÃM JAYA RÃM, JAYA JAYA RÃM