Once, King Dasharatha, accompanied by his sons including Rama, set out to bathe in the sacred River Ganga. As they traveled, they entered the territory of Chandala Guhaka, a forest-dweller. Guhaka, fiercely protective of his land, confronted Dasharatha and his entourage, objecting to their passage through his territory.
"You are trespassing and your army is destroying my
land and fields. If you must go to the River Ganga, find another route. If you
insist on proceeding this way, show me your son Rama," Guhaka demanded.
Alarmed by the encounter and concerned for Rama's safety,
Dasharatha concealed Rama within their chariot. Armed with his bow, Dasharatha
was prepared to shoot but hesitated, knowing that killing a Chandala could
tarnish his reputation. However, he also recognized that backing down might
provoke further conflict.
As tensions escalated, harsh words were exchanged, and
arrows began to fly. Dasharatha, remembering the powerful Pashupat weapon,
invoked it, binding Guhaka with mystical ropes and capturing him in his
chariot.
Bound and determined, Guhaka yearned for a glimpse of Rama.
Though restrained, he devised a way to shoot arrows using his feet. This
unusual sight caught Bharata's attention, who then reported it to Rama.
Intrigued, Rama approached Guhaka to understand his motivations.
Guhaka revealed his story: "When Dasharatha was without
sons, he accidentally killed the son of a blind sage. To atone for this grave
sin, he sought the guidance of Guru Vashistha. At that time, I, the sage's son
Vamadeva, was present. Instructed by me, Dasharatha was to take your name three
times to cleanse his sins. However, in my imperfect knowledge, I failed to
realize that invoking your name just once could absolve sins of a million
births. My father, outraged by the mistake, cursed me to live as a Chandala
until I saw you."
Moved by Guhaka's plight, Rama embraced him, acknowledging
the purity of his intentions. He then requested Dasharatha to release Guhaka, a
request his father readily granted.
Following this, Rama instructed Lakshmana to gather logs and
start a fire. As the flames rose, Rama and Guhaka circled the fire, pledging
eternal friendship.
With their bond solidified, Guhaka departed, and Dasharatha,
with his sons, continued their journey to the River Ganga. The encounter left a
lasting impression, highlighting the transformative power of compassion,
understanding, and friendship.