Kalketu Carries the Sleeping King Home
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 171
Doha 171 · Movement 1 of 2
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The ascetic king rises joyfully to embrace Kalketu and tells the whole story. The demon is satisfied. If his counsel is followed, he says, the enemy is already subdued and worry may be cast away. Providence has removed the disease without medicine.
Kalketu promises to uproot Pratapbhanu with his entire family and return on the fourth day. Having delighted his friend, the demon leaves in fierce anger and turns his supernatural power toward the sleeping king.
In an instant Pratapbhanu and his horse are transported to the royal dwelling. The king is placed asleep upon his bed beside the queen, and the horse is secured in the stable. Forest and palace meet without a waking moment between them.
Still asleep, Pratapbhanu crosses seventy yojanas while vengeance enters his home.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 171
Second half eighth horse properly tied in stable after king/horse return
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 175, 176 · printed pages 173, 174. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-171. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- ALL8 read: fakeformerking joyfullyrisesmeetsKalaketu tellsstory; demonpleasednotinventedrightmoment/badabhai. EnemyovercomeIFfollowadvice, diseasewithoutmedicine fatecomparison notmedicalevent.
- Demon promisesuprootenemyWITHFAMILY andreturnFOURTHDAY FUTUREnotalreadydone; distinctfakepriorTHIRDDAY. Reassuresfake leaves angry; ACTUALtransportsKINGBHANUPRATAPWITHHORSEHOMEININSTANT7 notprince/darkdwelling.
- 8KingplacedASLEEPBESIDEHISWIFE; horseproperlyTIEDINSTABLE selectedsecondhalf, notcreationofhorse/stable. Wife/Kingnotdepictednotchangedsource.
Artistic choices
- Approved C160 horse identity naturalbaychestnut blackmane longblacktail smallwhiteforeheadmark onehindwhitepastern brownleathersaddlebridle creamRUSTcloth sourcebreedcoatgear unspecified. Fourdistinctlegs/fetlocks/solidhooves closecropchecked.
- Looseleadfrombridlewoodpost completedtethering; exactroyalstablecreamarches woodpost haytrough hayfloor hangingoil-lamp floralvine starrywindow unverifiedartist choices no sourcefeeding/lightingevent.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
तापस नृप निज सखहि निहारी। हरषि मिलेउ उठि भयउ सुखारी।। मित्रहि कहि सब कथा सुनाई। जातुधान बोला सुख पाई।। अब साधेउँ रिपु सुनहु नरेसा। जौं तुम्ह कीन्ह मोर उपदेसा।। परिहरि सोच रहहु तुम्ह सोई। बिनु औषध बिआधि बिधि खोई।। कुल समेत रिपु मूल बहाई। चौथे दिवस मिलब मैं आई।। तापस नृपहि बहुत परितोषी। चला महाकपटी अतिरोषी।। भानुप्रतापहि बाजि समेता। पहुँचाएसि छन माझ निकेता।। नृपहि नारि पहिं सयन कराई। हयगृहँ बाँधेसि बाजि बनाई।।
The hermit-king caught sight of his own dear friend and rose with joy to meet him, his heart filled with relief. He told his friend the entire tale from beginning to end. "You have come as a great ally at exactly the right moment, brother."