The Royal Priest Disappears into a Mountain Cave
Bala Kanda, Doha 171
Doha 171 · Movement 2 of 2
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The plot now reaches the man whose trusted face is needed. Kalketu steals away the royal priest before any alarm can spread through the palace or sacred household.
Maya clouds the priest's mind, taking from him the power to understand where he is being carried or what role his absence will serve. The demon moves him far from court, king, family, and every familiar sign.
Deep inside a mountain cave, the true priest is hidden. Stone and darkness close around the witness, while the open place beside Pratapbhanu is prepared for an impostor whose appearance will make deception look exactly like guidance.
The true priest vanishes behind mountain stone, and his empty place waits in the palace.
Read the passage from the Manas
राजा के उपरोहितहि हरि लै गयउ बहोरि। लै राखेसि गिरि खोह महुँ मायाँ करि मति भोरि।।171।।
The hermit stole away the king's royal priest, clouded his mind through maya, and hid him deep within a mountain cave.