The Invitation Goes to a Hundred Thousand Homes
Bala Kanda, Doha 172
Doha 172 · Movement 2 of 2
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Pratapbhanu rejoices, convinced that the guru before him is the ancient friend from the forest. The priest's face, the secret recognition, and the miraculous return all seem to confirm one another.
Delusion keeps the king from seeing that every confirmation was arranged by the same enemy. Trust has become a closed circle in which deception supplies its own evidence.
At once Pratapbhanu sends invitations to one hundred thousand noble brahmins together with all their families. Across the capital, messengers move toward sacred households, opening the vast feast through which the hidden plot intends to destroy the righteous king.
Royal messengers cross the city while the counterfeit priest prepares a feast of ruin.
Read the passage from the Manas
नृप हरषेउ पहिचानि गुरु भ्रम बस रहा न चेत। बरे तुरत सत सहस बर बिप्र कुटुंब समेत।।172।।
The king rejoiced, believing he recognized his guru, but delusion kept him blind. At once he invited a hundred thousand noble Brahmins, together with all their families.