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राम
Leela Scene

How Can the Brahmins Be Brought Under My Sway?

Bala Kanda, Doha 166

Doha 166 · Movement 2 of 2

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Pratapbhanu reaches the question toward which the false boon has guided him. If the brahmins alone remain beyond his safety, how can they be brought under his control?

He asks Ekatanu for the method with complete dependence. The forest stranger is now addressed as merciful, tender friend of the lowly, and the only true well wisher the king can see.

The desire to honour brahmins has been subtly changed into the desire to command them. Fear of their curse makes control appear like protection, and Pratapbhanu does not notice the turn. Before the concealed enemy, he asks for the very means that will create the offence he dreads.

Seeking safety from a curse, Pratapbhanu asks how sacred authority may be controlled.

Read the passage from the Manas
Pratapbhanu asks the disguised ascetic how Brahmins may be brought under his control.

AI-created devotional illustration · Doha 166

King asks how to bring Brahmins under control, source doha166

Source reference and artistic choices

Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 172 · printed pages 170. Reader passage: bala-kanda-doha-167. Printed numbering may differ.

Source facts

  • King asks how BRAHMINS can be brought under control; sees nobody seeking his welfare except merciful YOU, addressed to false ascetic not certified true Saint.

Artistic choices

  • Approved D154 ordinary human Pratapbhanu identity face age dress crown artistic.
  • One open questioning palm other own knee artist gesture; imagined forest hut night represented stylized rust palette moonless not source clock change; flora rocks site unverified.

An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.

होहिं बिप्र बस कवन बिधि कहहु कृपा करि सोउ। तुम्ह तजि दीनदयाल निज हितू न देखउँ कोउँ।।166।।

"How may the Brahmins be brought under my sway? Tell me that as well, O merciful one. Save you, O tender friend of the lowly, I see no well-wisher of mine." (Hohin bipra basa kavana bidhi, kahahu kripa kari sou. Tumha taji deenadayala nija, hitu na dekhau kou.)