After halting on the bank of the Sai they resumed their journey at daybreak and all drew near to Shringaverapura. When the Nishada chief (Guha) heard all this news, he anxiously thought within himself;

‘What motive can Bharata have in travelling to the forest? He must have some guileful purpose at heart. If he had no mischievous intention in his heart, why should he have brought an army with him?

He must have thought that after killing Rama and his younger brother (Lakshmana), he would reign in ease and security. But Bharata did not take to heart the maxims of sound statecraft; first he brought on himself disgrace but now will meet a sure death.

Even if all the warriors of heaven and hell combine against Rama, they will fail to conquer him on the field. But what wonder that Bharata should act thus? Poison ivy does not bear arbrosial fruit!’

Having thus reflected, Guha addressed his kinsfolk: ‘Be on the alert, all of you; collect the boats and sink them with their oars and rudders and then close the ferry.

‘Equip yourselves well and close the ferry; and be ready, all of you, to die. I go to encounter Bharata in open combat and shall never let him cross the Ganga while I live.

To die in battle, and that too on the bank of the Ganga, and to lay down the fleeting body in Rama’s cause! Then Bharata is Rama’s own brother and a king, while I am an unworthy servant! Thrice blest were such a death!