Guha was greatly impressed as he beheld Lakshmana's devotion to Rama, for whose protection he had stood guard all night long. Concerned for him, Guha said, "Permit me to continue the vigil while you rest." But Lakshmana declined saying "Is it possible to sleep while Rama the noblest of Dasaratha's sons sleeps?

Lakshmana narrated an anecdote of Rama and Dasaratha to Guha that night. "Rama, born of Dasaratha, is the very life of the king who would never survive separation from his son. His ultimate desire thwarted, his cherished first born banished, will life still continue in him?With Dasaratha's death, mother Kausalya and Sumitra will also cease to live. Ayodhya will perish and the earth will be widowed without Dasaratha.Yet if he is still alive we will behold the most magnanimous of kings once again. Will that day ever come to pass?"