CHENNAI: In between the sweeping scope of the Ramayana, have you ever stopped to think of the hunter-fisherman who was adopted by Rama as his brother? Noted speaker Isaikavi Ramanan will elaborate on Guhan, a small character on Sunday as part of Ithihaasa Paathirangal, a monthly series held by Vivekanada Cultural Centre and Chennai 2000 Plus Trust.
“Guhan appears at a pivotal moment in Rama’s exile when they reached the banks of the Ganga and had to cross the waters to go across into the dense forest. It is at this point that Guhan, who was the chieftain of the forest tribe, appears and offers to take Rama and his coterie across,” explains Ramanan. Though his role is quite small, Ramanan explains that without the help of Guhan, Rama would not have been able to cross the Ganga and the purpose of his avatar would have remained unfulfilled.
“The number of verses ascribed to Guhan in the Kambaramayana is less, but his importance cannot be understated. In fact, as chief of the tribe, Guhan wants Rama to stay back with him instead of moving on into denser forest for his exile. But Rama refused his offer,” elaborates Ramanan. At the same time, this forged a strong bond between the two, with Rama calling Guhan his ‘friend’. Later, Rama would adopt him as his first ‘brother’ outside of his three own.
“Guhan is so steadfast in Rama’s devotion that he is initially suspicious of Bharata when the latter requests
Rama to return,” he explains. “But when Guhan sees Bharata broken and despondent, he is convinced of his good intentions. Bharata even falls at Guhan’s feet, which is reciprocated by him too.” Guhan is even said to have complimented Bharata later in the story as being incomparable to even a thousand Ramas.
“On Rama’s return from Lanka, he stopped by Guhan’s abode in the forest because he had promised to do so once he had finished his exile. He is in essence a reflection of a rustic devotee and benign follower together,” explains Ramanan.
‘Ithihaasa Pathirangal’ will be held at Vivekanda Illam on Sunday from 6.30 pm onwards