Kalketu Returns from the Shape of the Boar
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 170
Doha 170 · Movement 1 of 2
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Pratapbhanu obeys and lies down, exhausted yet unable to surrender fully to sleep while anxiety crowds the mind. Nearby, the cunning ascetic sits in the posture of meditation, keeping the appearance of spiritual power even as the plot advances.
Kalketu arrives, the demon who lured the king through the forest in the form of the boar. He is the former ruler's closest friend and knows every concealed design. Seven sons and ten brothers, all invincible tormentors of the gods, had been slain by Pratapbhanu in battle.
Old revenge joins old dispossession. Demon and defeated king devise the scheme that will destroy their common enemy. Bound by the movement of fate, Pratapbhanu lies only a short distance away and knows nothing of the forces gathering around his sleep.
The boar sheds its forest shape, and Kalketu enters the hermitage to finish the hunt.
Read the passage from the Manas
सयन कीन्ह नृप आयसु मानी। आसन जाइ बैठ छलग्यानी।। श्रमित भूप निद्रा अति आई। सो किमि सोव सोच अधिकाई।। कालकेतु निसिचर तहँ आवा। जेहिं सूकर होइ नृपहि भुलावा।। परम मित्र तापस नृप केरा। जानइ सो अति कपट घनेरा।। तेहि के सत सुत अरु दस भाई। खल अति अजय देव दुखदाई।। प्रथमहि भूप समर सब मारे। बिप्र संत सुर देखि दुखारे।। तेहिं खल पाछिल बयरु सँभरा। तापस नृप मिलि मंत्र बिचारा।। जेहि रिपु छय सोइ रचेन्हि उपाऊ। भावी बस न जान कछु राऊ।।
The king lay down to sleep, obeying the instruction. The cunning knower of tricks went and sat upon his seat. The weary king was overcome by deep slumber. But how could the schemer sleep, his mind churning with so many designs?