BHARATA SUSPECTED

Guha bowed before him with clasped hands and said politely: "My lord, my servants and myself are ready to go with you and

act as guides. But you must excuse me for expressing a doubt which occurs to me on seeing this large army you have brought. Surely you have no intentions hostile to Raama?"

Pained by these words and from a heart clear and pure as the summer sky, Bharata said: "Alas, what greater shame can come to me than this, that men who love Raama should fear and suspect me? Have no misgivings, Guha. Raama is my father now, for he has taken the place of my lost father. I have come here to beg of him to return to Ayodhya. I swear, I have no other purpose in my mind."

Guha rejoiced to see in Bharata's face his intense love for Raama and his grief at what had happened. He said: "My Lord, " in the world can equal in sacrifice? Who but you would renounce such wealth and power coming to him unsought? Your glory will shine forever. "

The hunter-king supplied Bharata's army with all it needed. The hosts and the guests retired for the night.

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