The Hermit Promises to Wear the Priest's Face
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 169
Doha 169 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ekatanu explains that little effort from Pratapbhanu will bring all brahmins beneath command. Through their yajnas, fire offerings, and worship, even the gods will then become subject to the king.
The hermit will not return in his present form. By supposed spiritual power, he will bring the royal family priest away, make that priest like himself, and keep him hidden for a year. Taking the priest's appearance, Ekatanu will carry out the work within the palace.
Much of the night has passed. The king is told to sleep and wait three days for their next meeting. While Pratapbhanu rests, the ascetic will transport both him and his horse back to the royal dwelling through the power of tapasya.
The plot prepares to enter the palace wearing the trusted face of the royal priest.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 169
First half seventh late-night instruction to sleep, King remains awake listening
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 174 · printed pages 172. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-169. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- ALL8 read: fake claims littleeffort allBrahmins controlled; Brahmin rites make godscontrolled as HISCLAIM no literaldeityobedience.
- TellsPRATAPBHANU not Ravana he willnotcomeinTHIShermitguise, ABDUCTROYALPRIEST via illusion हरि आनब notbringLordHARI; make priestLIKEHIMSELF keepHEREONEYEAR then himselfwearPRIESTFORM as futureproposal not newpriestalreadyhere.
- Selected7 FIRSTHALF nightmuchpassed sleepNOW, KingdepictedSTILLAWAKE listening. Remaining7 meetTHIRDDAY and8 carryKINGWITHHORSEwhilesleepingHOMEbytapaspower proposedfuture; HORSEnotomittedfromsource retainedmetadata.
Artistic choices
- Approved D154 ordinary human Pratapbhanu identity ageface robe crown artistic; twohands ownknees listening calmeyelids open, relaxednightpose unverifiedfatigueinterpretation not factualsleep.
- Night imaginary foresthut moon flora mat distantwater exactsite artist additions; smallplainpotleft unverifieddecorativeprop notcurrentcookingfeast/ritual.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
एहि बिधि भूप कष्ट अति थोरें। होइहहिं सकल बिप्र बस तोरें।। करिहहिं बिप्र होम मख सेवा। तेहिं प्रसंग सहजेहिं बस देवा।। और एक तोहि कहऊँ लखाऊ। मैं एहि बेष न आउब काऊ।। तुम्हरे उपरोहित कहुँ राया। हरि आनब मैं करि निज माया।। तपबल तेहि करि आपु समाना। रखिहउँ इहाँ बरष परवाना।। मैं धरि तासु बेषु सुनु राजा। सब बिधि तोर सँवारब काजा।। गै निसि बहुत सयन अब कीजे। मोहि तोहि भूप भेंट दिन तीजे।। मैं तपबल तोहि तुरग समेता। पहुँचेहउँ सोवतहि निकेता।।
In this way, O king, with very little trouble on your part, all the Brahmins will fall under your sway. The Brahmins will perform homa, yajna, and every sacred rite. Through that very connection, the devas too will naturally come into your power.