History of Nishadraj

Characters (Devtas) > Nishadraj




Devtas

Nishadraj

Other names- Nishadaraja, Nisadraja, Nisadaraja, Nisadraj
Nishadraj Guha was the King of Kevati by the banks of Ganga. He was an Adivasi (original inhabitant of the land). When Rama arrived at the banks of the river withLakshman and Sita, minister Sumantra too went with them with his chariot. The capital of Kevati was Shrngaverapura
It was at this spot that Rama tied his tresses into a hermit’s knot using the milky sap from the banyan tree, in preparation for his life in the forest. Sumantra bid farewell to Rama, Sita and Lakshman and returned to Ayodhya from this place.
Near the town of Shrngaverapura, on the outskirts of the city, Rama retired for the night on a bed made of leaves and grass under the shade of a sheesham tree. WhileRama and Sita rested, Lakshman and Guha kept vigil through the night. Guha offered them a repast of fruits, berries and roots of the forest. Rama had made a friend of the tribal king Guha and it was he who helped them cross River Ganga in a boat. It was at Shrngaverapura that Rama began his stay in the forest, andSumantra narrated this to Dasharatha when he returned to Ayodhya. The detailed narrations made Dasharatha realize the finality of parting and he could no longer bear to live on.
When Bharat went into the forest to meet Rama, with his army and entourage, Guha thought at first that he was coming to attack Rama, Lakshman and Sita in order to become the sole heir to the throne. But his advance spies he sent out informed him that it was not so. Guha was keeping his army ready to keep off Bharat but when he learnt that Bharat was coming in peace to persuade Rama to return, he arranged for a formal welcome for Bharat and Shatrughna with due royal honor. Bharat and his entourage rested at Shrngaverapura. Then Guha led them on, showing them the path to Panchavati, where Rama, Lakshman and Sita had built their forest dwelling.
When Rama returned victorious after fourteen years in the forest, he did not forget to meet and greet his friend Nishadraj. He was also invited to the coronation ceremony of Rama in Ayodhya. He always received the friendship and support of ShriRama. Nishadraj was an emotional, genuine person, eager to help and befriendRama and protect him if he could. It is this selfless association with Rama that makes him a character of Ramayana whose actions always tug at the heartstrings.