The Counterfeit Priest Appears at Dawn
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 172
Doha 172 · Movement 1 of 2
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Kalketu assumes the priest's form and lies upon the beautiful bed. At dawn Pratapbhanu opens his eyes inside the palace and is overwhelmed by wonder. He attributes the impossible return to Ekatanu's spiritual power and rises quietly so the queen will not know.
The king mounts the restored horse and rides into the forest without any man or woman in the city seeing him. After two watches of night he returns, and celebration fills every house at the sovereign's safe reappearance.
When Pratapbhanu sees the priest, astonishment joins recognition of the secret affair. Three days pass like ages as his mind remains fixed upon the deceptive sage. At the appointed time the counterfeit comes privately and explains enough of the plan to secure the king's belief.
Dawn reveals the palace, the familiar priest, and not one visible seam in the deception.
Read the passage from the Manas
आपु बिरचि उपरोहित रूपा। परेउ जाइ तेहि सेज अनूपा।। जागेउ नृप अनभएँ बिहाना। देखि भवन अति अचरजु माना।। मुनि महिमा मन महुँ अनुमानी। उठेउ गवँहि जेहि जान न रानी।। कानन गयउ बाजि चढ़ि तेहीं। पुर नर नारि न जानेउ केहीं।। गएँ जाम जुग भूपति आवा। घर घर उत्सव बाज बधावा।। उपरोहितहि देख जब राजा। चकित बिलोकि सुमिरि सोइ काजा।। जुग सम नृपहि गए दिन तीनी। कपटी मुनि पद रह मति लीनी।। समय जानि उपरोहित आवा। नृपहि मते सब कहि समुझावा।।
He shaped himself into the priest's very form and lay down upon that splendid bed. The king woke before dawn. Seeing the priest, great happiness flooded his heart.