The Conqueror Returns to His City
Bala Kanda, Doha 154
Doha 154 · Movement 2 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
With the world brought under his authority by strength of arm, Pratapbhanu turns homeward. The conquering army enters the capital through gates crowded with subjects, treasure, tribute, elephants, horses, and the marks of victories won far away.
The king does not abandon order after conquest. Artha, dharma, kama, and every other blessing are enjoyed in their proper season, none allowed to consume the place belonging to another.
Power, pleasure, prosperity, and sacred duty appear balanced beneath one discernment. The scene holds the fullness of royal success, making the small opening through which ruin will later enter almost impossible to imagine.
Pratapbhanu returns with the world behind him and every human aim arranged in its season.
Read the passage from the Manas

AI-created devotional illustration · Doha 154
Pratapbhanu's return to his own city after subduingworld byarmstrength
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 162 · printed pages 160. Reader passage: bala-kanda-doha-155. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- AfterbringingWORLDunderOWNpower byARMSstrength Pratapbhanu entersOWNCITY; enjoysartha dharma kama andotherblessings intime.
- No sourceLakshmi/Shesha/Saraswaticity prose; absenceofwordmoksha NOTestablishedseedoffall andadjacentactsdisinteresteddedicatedVasudeva.
Artistic choices
- Approvedimagined Pratapbhanu D154 wheatbrown curlyblackhair shortbeard rubygoldcrown creamPLUMshawl unchanged exactfaceagewardrobe unverified.
- Standingreturnportrait ownlowwaisthands simplecreamgate anddistantimaginedcity rustflatfield botanicals. Cityarchitectureposeunverifiedgeography no actualmilitaryprocession/worldmap.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
स्वबस बिस्व करि बाहुबल निज पुर कीन्ह प्रबेसु। अरथ धरम कामादि सुख सेवइ समयँ नरेसु।।154।।
Having brought the whole world under his sway by the strength of his arms, he entered his own city. The king enjoyed artha, dharma, kama, and every other blessing, each in its proper season.