The Line of Satyaketu Falls
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 175
Doha 175 · Movement 1 of 2
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The brahmins depart and news enters the capital. Citizens blame hostile fate, asking why destiny has made a swan appear to behave like a crow. Grief spreads through a city that had known Pratapbhanu as righteous protector.
Kalketu carries the result to the ascetic king. Letters fly toward the rulers once defeated by Pratapbhanu, and armies gather from every direction. War drums surround the capital. Day after day fierce battles break against its walls.
The king's warriors fulfil their valour, but Pratapbhanu and his brothers fall upon the earth. No one of Satyaketu's line survives. Victorious kings occupy the conquered city and return to their realms with glory, while the curse proves itself through steel, siege, and extinction.
War drums close around Kaikeya until no voice of Satyaketu's house remains.
Read the passage from the Manas
अस कहि सब महिदेव सिधाए। समाचार पुरलोगन्ह पाए।। सोचहिं दूषन दैवहि देहीं। बिचरत हंस काग किय जेहीं।। उपरोहितहि भवन पहुँचाई। असुर तापसहि खबरि जनाई।। तेहिं खल जहँ तहँ पत्र पठाए। सजि सजि सेन भूप सब धाए।। घेरेन्हि नगर निसान बजाई। बिबिध भाँति नित होई लराई।। जूझे सकल सुभट करि करनी। बंधु समेत परेउ नृप धरनी।। सत्यकेतु कुल कोउ नहिं बाँचा। बिप्रश्राप किमि होइ असाँचा।। रिपु जिति सब नृप नगर बसाई। निज पुर गवने जय जसु पाई।।
So saying, all the Brahmins departed. The citizens received the news. They grieved, laying blame upon fate. A great cry of lamentation arose on every side.