Only a Brahmin's Curse Can Reach Him
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 165
Doha 165 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ekatanu grants the impossible request, then introduces one difficult condition. Death will lower its head at Pratapbhanu's feet, and no force can destroy him except the spiritual power of a brahmin family.
Brahmins stand superior through tapasya, the false sage says, and no protector can shield one from their wrath. If the king honours them all, even Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva will come under his command. With both arms raised, Ekatanu declares that enmity with the brahmin community alone must be avoided.
Without their curse, destruction can never come. Pratapbhanu rejoices, believing danger reduced to one manageable boundary. By the hermit's grace, every time ahead appears auspicious, and immortality seems secured through policy.
Death bows before the king, while one unseen curse remains standing beyond the throne.
Read the passage from the Manas
कह तापस नृप ऐसेइ होऊ। कारन एक कठिन सुनु सोऊ।। कालउ तुअ पद नाइहि सीसा। एक बिप्रकुल छाड़ि महीसा।। तपबल बिप्र सदा बरिआरा। तिन्ह के कोप न कोउ रखवारा।। जौं बिप्रन्ह सब करहु नरेसा। तौ तुअ बस बिधि बिष्नु महेसा।। चल न ब्रह्मकुल सन बरिआई। सत्य कहउँ दोउ भुजा उठाई।। बिप्र श्राप बिनु सुनु महिपाला। तोर नास नहि कवनेहुँ काला।। हरषेउ राउ बचन सुनि तासू। नाथ न होइ मोर अब नासू।। तव प्रसाद प्रभु कृपानिधाना। मो कहुँ सर्ब काल कल्याना।।
The ascetic said: O king, so it shall be. But hear one hard condition. Even Kaala, Time itself, will bow its head at your feet. Only the community of Brahmins is the exception, O lord. (kaha taapasa nripa aisehi hou. kaarana eka kathina sunu sou. kaalau tua pada naaihi seesaa. eka biprakula chhaadai kai eesaa.)