The Sixth Ear Means Destruction
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 166
Doha 166 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ekatanu forbids Pratapbhanu from telling the tale. If it reaches a sixth ear, destruction is certain. Public knowledge or a brahmin's curse will equally end the promised invulnerability, unless even Hari and Hara themselves grow angry.
The king clasps the hermit's feet and accepts the warning. Who can protect one from the wrath of brahmin or guru? Even if the Creator offered shelter, opposition to the guru would leave no saviour anywhere in the world.
Pratapbhanu claims no fear of ruin should he disobey. One danger alone troubles him: the terrible possibility of Shiva's curse. Concern for sacred authority now drives him deeper into dependence upon the counterfeit master who has framed every exit as catastrophe.
Around the secret meeting, Ekatanu draws a circle of curses that Pratapbhanu dares not cross.
Read the passage from the Manas
तातें मै तोहि बरजउँ राजा। कहें कथा तव परम अकाजा।। छठें श्रवन यह परत कहानी। नास तुम्हार सत्य मम बानी।। यह प्रगटें अथवा द्विजश्रापा। नास तोर सुनु भानुप्रतापा।। आन उपायँ निधन तव नाहीं। जौं हरि हर कोपहिं मन माहीं।। सत्य नाथ पद गहि नृप भाषा। द्विज गुर कोप कहहु को राखा।। राखइ गुर जौं कोप बिधाता। गुर बिरोध नहिं कोउ जग त्राता।। जौं न चलब हम कहे तुम्हारें। होउ नास नहिं सोच हमारें।। एकहिं डर डरपत मन मोरा। प्रभु महिदेव श्राप अति घोरा।।
Therefore I warn you, O king. If this story is told, your ultimate ruin will follow. Should this tale reach a sixth ear, that is, anyone beyond us two, all your hard-won achievements will be destroyed. (taaten mai tohi barajau raajaa. kahen kathaa tava parama akaajaa. chhatthen shravana yaha parata kahaanee. naasahin siddhi tumhaara sayaanee.)