RamCharitManas BalKanda Part 2 with English Meaning / Translation

BalKanda Part 2

 

चौपाई | Chaupais :
सुनु मुनि कथा पुनीत पुरानी। जो गिरिजा प्रति संभु बखानी॥
बिस्व बिदित एक कैकय देसू। सत्यकेतु तहँ बसइ नरेसू॥1॥
sunu muni kathā punīta purānī. jō girijā prati saṃbhu bakhānī..
bisva bidita ēka kaikaya dēsū. satyakētu tahaom basai narēsū..

Listen, O sage, to an old and sacred legend which was narrated by Sambhu to Girija.There was a principality known by the name of Kaikaya, which was celebrated throughout the world. A king named Satyaketu ruled there.

धरम धुरंधर नीति निधाना। तेज प्रताप सील बलवाना॥
तेहि कें भए जुगल सुत बीरा। सब गुन धाम महा रनधीरा॥2॥

dharama dhuraṃdhara nīti nidhānā. tēja pratāpa sīla balavānā..
tēhi kēṃ bhaē jugala suta bīrā. saba guna dhāma mahā ranadhīrā..

He was a champion of virtue, a storehouse of political wisdom, dignified, glorious, amiable and powerful. He had two gallant sons, who were repositories of all virtues and most staunch in battle.

राज धनी जो जेठ सुत आही। नाम प्रतापभानु अस ताही॥
अपर सुतहि अरिमर्दन नामा। भुजबल अतुल अचल संग्रामा॥3॥

rāja dhanī jō jēṭha suta āhī. nāma pratāpabhānu asa tāhī..
apara sutahi arimardana nāmā. bhujabala atula acala saṃgrāmā..

The elder of the two and the heir to the throne was named Pratapabhanu. The other was known by the name of Arimardana, who was unequalled in strength of arm and steady in battle.

भाइहि भाइहि परम समीती। सकल दोष छल बरजित प्रीती॥
जेठे सुतहि राज नृप दीन्हा। हरि हित आपु गवन बन कीन्हा॥4॥

bhāihi bhāihi parama samītī. sakala dōṣa chala barajita prītī..
jēṭhē sutahi rāja nṛpa dīnhā. hari hita āpu gavana bana kīnhā..

There was perfect unity between the two brothers and the affection each bore to the other was free from all blemish and guile. To the elder son the king resigned the throne and withdrew himself into the forest for the sake of devotion to Sri Hari.

दोहा | Dohas :
जब प्रतापरबि भयउ नृप फिरी दोहा | Dohasई देस।
प्रजा पाल अति बेदबिधि कतहुँ नहीं अघ लेस॥153॥
jaba pratāparabi bhayau nṛpa phirī dōhāī dēsa.
prajā pāla ati bēdabidhi katahuom nahīṃ agha lēsa..153..

When Pratapabhanu became king, a proclamation to this effect was made throughout the land. He looked after his subjects with utmost care according to the precepts of the Vedas and there was not a speck of sin anywhere (in his kingdom).

चौपाई | Chaupais :
नृप हितकारक सचिव सयाना। नाम धरमरुचि सुक्र समाना॥
सचिव सयान बंधु बलबीरा। आपु प्रतापपुंज रनधीरा॥1॥
nṛpa hitakāraka saciva sayānā. nāma dharamaruci sukra samānā..
saciva sayāna baṃdhu balabīrā. āpu pratāpapuṃja ranadhīrā..

The prime minister, Dharmaruci by name, was a second Sukra* and was as devoted to the king as he was wise. With a prudent counseller and a gallant and powerful brother, the king himself was an embodiment of glory and daring in war.

सेन संग चतुरंग अपारा। अमित सुभट सब समर जुझारा॥
सेन बिलोकि राउ हरषाना। अरु बाजे गहगहे निसाना॥2॥

sēna saṃga caturaṃga apārā. amita subhaṭa saba samara jujhārā..
sēna bilōki rāu haraṣānā. aru bājē gahagahē nisānā..

He owned a vast army consisting of horse and foot, chariots and elephants. It had numberless excellent warriors all of whom fought fearlessly in battle. The king rejoiced to see his army and there was a tumultuous sound of kettledrums.

बिजय हेतु कटकई बनाई। सुदिन साधि नृप चलेउ बजाई॥
जहँ तहँ परीं अनेक लराईं। जीते सकल भूप बरिआईं॥3॥

bijaya hētu kaṭakaī banāī. sudina sādhi nṛpa calēu bajāī..
jaomha tahaom parīṃ anēka larāīṃ. jītē sakala bhūpa bariāī..

He collected a special force for the conquest of the world, and availing himself of an auspicious day marched forth with beat of drums. A number of battles were fought here and there and all hostile kings were brought to their knees by superior might.

सप्त दीप भुजबल बस कीन्हे। लै लै दंड छाड़ि नृप दीन्हे॥
सकल अवनि मंडल तेहि काला। एक प्रतापभानु महिपाला॥4॥

sapta dīpa bhujabala basa kīnhē. lai lai daṃḍa chāḍai nṛpa dīnhēṃ..
sakala avani maṃḍala tēhi kālā. ēka pratāpabhānu mahipālā..

By the strength of his arm be reduced all the seven sections of the terrestrial region and let the princes go on payment of tribute. Now Pratapabhanu was the undisputed sovereign of the entire globe.

दोहा | Dohas :
स्वबस बिस्व करि बाहुबल निज पुर कीन्ह प्रबेसु।
अरथ धरम कामादि सुख सेवइ समयँ नरेसु॥154॥

svabasa bisva kari bāhubala nija pura kīnha prabēsu.
aratha dharama kāmādi sukha sēvai samayaom narēsu..154..

Having thus subjugated the whole universe by the might of his arm, the king reentered his capital. He devoted himself to the pleasures of wealth, religious practices and sense-gratification etc., at the appropriate time.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
भूप प्रतापभानु बल पाई। कामधेनु भै भूमि सुहाई॥
सब दुख बरजित प्रजा सुखारी। धरमसील सुंदर नर नारी॥1॥

bhūpa pratāpabhānu bala pāī. kāmadhēnu bhai bhūmi suhāī..
saba dukha barajita prajā sukhārī. dharamasīla suṃdara nara nārī..

Invigorated by king Pratapabhanu’s might, the charming earth became a cow of plenty as it were (yielded all one’s coveted products). The people were happy and free from all sorrows and both men and women were good-looking and virtuous.

सचिव धरमरुचि हरि पद प्रीती। नृप हित हेतु सिखव नित नीती॥
गुर सुर संत पितर महिदेवा। करइ सदा नृप सब कै सेवा॥2॥

saciva dharamaruci hari pada prītī. nṛpa hita hētu sikhava nita nītī..
gura sura saṃta pitara mahidēvā. karai sadā nṛpa saba kai sēvā..

The minister, Dharmaruci, was devoted to the feet of Sri Hari; in the interest of his royal master he advised him on state policy everyday. Preceptors, gods, saints, manes and Brahmanas- the king invariably served them all.

भूप धरम जे बेद बखाने। सकल करइ सादर सुख माने॥
दिन प्रति देइ बिबिध बिधि दाना। सुनइ सास्त्र बर बेद पुराना॥3॥

bhūpa dharama jē bēda bakhānē. sakala karai sādara sukha mānē..
dina prati dēha bibidha bidhi dānā. sunahu sāstra bara bēda purānā..

Whatever duties have been enjoined on a king in the Vedas, he gladly and devoutly performed. He bestowed gifts of various kinds everyday and listened to the best scriptures including the Vedas and the Puranas.

 नाना बापीं कूप तड़ागा। सुमन बाटिका सुंदर बागा॥
बिप्रभवन सुरभवन सुहाए। सब तीरथन्ह विचित्र बनाए॥4॥

nānā bāpīṃ kūpa taḍaāgā. sumana bāṭikā suṃdara bāgā..
biprabhavana surabhavana suhāē. saba tīrathanha bicitra banāē..

In all holy places he constructed many small and big wells and tanks, flower gardens and lovely orchards, dwellings for the Brahmanas and beautiful temples of wonderful architecture.

दोहा | Dohas :
जहँ लजि कहे पुरान श्रुति एक एक सब जाग।
बार सहस्र सहस्र नृप किए सहित अनुराग॥155॥
jaomha lagi kahē purāna śruti ēka ēka saba jāga.
bāra sahastra sahastra nṛpa kiē sahita anurāga..155..

Whatever sacrifices have been enjoined in the Vedas and the Puranas, the king devoutly performed each one of them a thousand times.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
हृदयँ न कछु फल अनुसंधाना। भूप बिबेकी परम सुजाना॥
करइ जे धरम करम मन बानी। बासुदेव अर्पित नृप ग्यानी॥1॥

hṛdayaom na kachu phala anusaṃdhānā. bhūpa bibēkī parama sujānā..
karai jē dharama karama mana bānī. bāsudēva arpita nṛpa gyānī..

There was no seeking for any reward in his heart; the king was a man of great intelligence and wisdom. Whatever meritorious act he performed in thought, word or deed, the wise king dedicated it to Lord Vasudeva (the all-pervading God Visnu).

 चढ़ि बर बाजि बार एक राजा। मृगया कर सब साजि समाजा॥
बिंध्याचल गभीर बन गयऊ। मृग पुनीत बहु मारत भयऊ॥2॥
caḍhai bara bāji bāra ēka rājā. mṛgayā kara saba sāji samājā..
biṃdhyācala gabhīra bana gayaū. mṛga punīta bahu mārata bhayaū..

Equipping himself with all the outfit of hunting, the king mounted a gallant steed one day and, entering the dense forest of the Vindhya range, killed many a sacred deer.

 फिरत बिपिन नृप दीख बराहू। जनु बन दुरेउ ससिहि ग्रसि राहू॥
बड़ बिधु नहिं समात मुख माहीं। मनहुँ क्रोध बस उगिलत नाहीं॥3॥
phirata bipina nṛpa dīkha barāhū. janu bana durēu sasihi grasi rāhū..
baḍa bidhu nahi samāta mukha māhīṃ. manahuom krōdhabasa ugilata nāhīṃ..

While ranging in the wood he espied a wild boar. It looked as if with the moon in his mouth the demon Rahu had hid in the forest. The orb was too large to be contained in the mouth, yet in his rage he would not disgorge it.

 कोल कराल दसन छबि गाई। तनु बिसाल पीवर अधिकाई॥
घुरुघुरात हय आरौ पाएँ। चकित बिलोकत कान उठाएँ॥4॥

kōla karāla dasana chabi gāī. tanu bisāla pīvara adhikāī..
ghurughurāta haya ārau pāēom. cakita bilōkata kāna uṭhāēom..

Thus have I chosen to portray the beauty of the frightful tusks of the boar, while its body too was of an enormous size and bulk. Growling at the tramp of the horse and pricking up its ears it gazed with a startled look

दोहा | Dohas :
नील महीधर सिखर सम देखि बिसाल बराहु।
चपरि चलेउ हय सुटुकि नृप हाँकि न होइ निबाहु॥156॥

nīla mahīdhara sikhara sama dēkhi bisāla barāhu.
capari calēu haya suṭuki nṛpa hāomki na hōi nibāhu..156..

On seeing the huge boar, which resembled a purple mountain-peak, the king whipped the horse and advanced rapidly, challenging the boar at the same time and saying it could no longer escape.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
आवत देखि अधिक रव बाजी। चलेउ बराह मरुत गति भाजी॥
तुरत कीन्ह नृप सर संधाना। महि मिलि गयउ बिलोकत बाना॥1॥

āvata dēkhi adhika rava bājī. calēu barāha maruta gati bhājī..
turata kīnha nṛpa sara saṃdhānā. mahi mili gayau bilōkata bānā..

When it saw the horse coming on with a great noise, the boar took to flight swift as wind. The king lost no time in fitting the arrow to his bow and the boar crouched as soon as it saw the shaft.

 तकि तकि तीर महीस चलावा। करि छल सुअर सरीर बचावा॥
प्रगटत दुरत जाइ मृग भागा। रिस बस भूप चलेउ सँग लागा॥2॥
taki taki tīra mahīsa calāvā. kari chala suara sarīra bacāvā..
pragaṭata durata jāi mṛga bhāgā. risa basa bhūpa calēu saṃga lāgā..

The king discharged his arrows taking a steady aim each time, but the boar saved itself by its wiliness. The beast rushed on, now hiding and now emerging into view; while the king in much excitement followed closely on its track.

 गयउ दूरि घन गहन बराहू। जहँ नाहिन गज बाजि निबाहू॥
अति अकेल बन बिपुल कलेसू। तदपि न मृग मग तजइ नरेसू॥3॥
gayau dūri ghana gahana barāhū. jahaom nāhina gaja bāji nibāhū..
ati akēla bana bipula kalēsū. tadapi na mṛga maga tajai narēsū..

The boar went afar into a dense thicket, which was impenetrable by horse or elephant. Even though the king was all by himself and was faced with untold hardships in the forest, still he would not abandon the chase.

 कोल बिलोकि भूप बड़ धीरा। भागि पैठ गिरिगुहाँ गभीरा॥
अगम देखि नृप अति पछिताई। फिरेउ महाबन परेउ भुलाई॥4॥

kōla bilōki bhūpa baḍa dhīrā. bhāgi paiṭha giriguhāom gabhīrā..
agama dēkhi nṛpa ati pachitāī. phirēu mahābana parēu bhulāī..

Seeing the king so determined, the boar slunk away into a deep mountain-cave. When the king perceived that there was no access to the cave, he had to return much disappointed; and, what was worse, he lost his track in the great forest.

दोहा | Dohas :
खेद खिन्न छुद्धित तृषित राजा बाजि समेत।
खोजत ब्याकुल सरित सर जल बिनु भयउ अचेत॥157॥
khēda khinna chuddhita tṛṣita rājā bāji samēta.
khōjata byākula sarita sara jala binu bhayau acēta..157..

Exhausted with much exertion and oppressed by hunger and thirst, the king and his horse kept searching for a stream or pond and almost fainted for want of water.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
फिरत बिपिन आश्रम एक देखा। तहँ बस नृपति कपट मुनिबेषा॥
जासु देस नृप लीन्ह छड़ाई। समर सेन तजि गयउ पराई॥1॥
phirata bipina āśrama ēka dēkhā. tahaom basa nṛpati kapaṭa munibēṣā..
jāsu dēsa nṛpa līnha chaḍaāī. samara sēna taji gayau parāī..

While wandering in the forest he espied a hermitage. In that hermitage dwelt, in the disguise of a hermit, a monarch who had been despoiled of his kingdom by Pratapabhanu and who had run away from the field of battle deserting his army.

 समय प्रतापभानु कर जानी। आपन अति असमय अनुमानी॥
गयउ न गृह मन बहुत गलानी। मिला न राजहि नृप अभिमानी॥2॥

samaya pratāpabhānu kara jānī. āpana ati asamaya anumānī..
gayau na gṛha mana bahuta galānī. milā na rājahi nṛpa abhimānī..

Knowing that the time was propitious for Pratapabhanu and most unfavourable to his own self, he felt much disgusted at heart and refused to return home; and he was too proud to come to terms with the victor.

 रिस उर मारि रंक जिमि राजा। बिपिन बसइ तापस कें साजा॥
तासु समीप गवन नृप कीन्हा। यह प्रतापरबि तेहिं तब चीन्हा॥3॥
risa ura māri raṃka jimi rājā. bipina basai tāpasa kēṃ sājā..
tāsu samīpa gavana nṛpa kīnhā. yaha pratāparabi tēhi taba cīnhā..

Suppressing the anger in his own heart the ex-king lived in the forest like a pauper in the garb of an anchorite. It was to him that king Pratapabhanu went and he for his part immediately recognized that the newcomer was no other than Pratapabhanu.

 राउ तृषित नहिं सो पहिचाना। देखि सुबेष महामुनि जाना॥
उतरि तुरग तें कीन्ह प्रनामा। परम चतुर न कहेउ निज नामा॥4॥

rāu tṛṣita nahi sō pahicānā. dēkhi subēṣa mahāmuni jānā..
utari turaga tēṃ kīnha pranāmā. parama catura na kahēu nija nāmā..

Overcome by thirst, the latter, however, could not recognize the ex-king. Perceiving his holy garb Pratapabhanu took him to be a great sage and, getting down from his horse, made obeisance to him. The king was, however, too astute to disclose his name.

दोहा | Dohas :
भूपति तृषित बिलोकि तेहिं सरबरू दीन्ह देखाइ।
मज्जन पान समेत हय कीन्ह नृपति हरषाइ॥158॥
bhūpati tṛṣita bilōki tēhiṃ sarabaru dīnha dēkhāi.
majjana pāna samēta haya kīnha nṛpati haraṣāi..158..

Seeing king Pratapabhanu thirsty, he showed him a good lake and the king as well as his horse gladly bathed in it and drank from it.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
गै श्रम सकल सुखी नृप भयऊ। निज आश्रम तापस लै गयऊ॥
आसन दीन्ह अस्त रबि जानी। पुनि तापस बोलेउ मृदु बानी॥1॥

gai śrama sakala sukhī nṛpa bhayaū. nija āśrama tāpasa lai gayaū..
āsana dīnha asta rabi jānī. puni tāpasa bōlēu mṛdu bānī..

The whole fatigue was gone and the king heaved a sigh of relief. The hermit thereafter took him back to his hermitage; and perceiving that it was sunset now he gave him a seat and then spoke to him in polite terms,

को तुम्ह कस बन फिरहु अकेलें। सुंदर जुबा जीव परहेलें॥
चक्रबर्ति के लच्छन तोरें। देखत दया लागि अति मोरें॥2॥
kō tumha kasa bana phirahu akēlēṃ. suṃdara jubā jīva parahēlēṃ..
cakrabarti kē lacchana tōrēṃ. dēkhata dayā lāgi ati mōrēṃ..

“Who are you and wherefore do you risk your life by roaming in the forest all alone, even though you are so young and handsome? Reading the marks of an emperor on your person I am moved with great pity.”

 नाम प्रतापभानु अवनीसा। तासु सचिव मैं सुनहु मुनीसा॥
फिरत अहेरें परेउँ भुलाई। बड़ें भाग देखेउँ पद आई॥3॥
nāma pratāpabhānu avanīsā. tāsu saciva maiṃ sunahu munīsā..
phirata ahērēṃ parēuom bhulāī. baḍē bhāga dēkhauom pada āī..

“Listen, O great sage: there is a king named Pratapabhanu; I am his minister. Ranging in pursuit of game I have lost my way and by great good fortune I have been led into your presence. Your sight is a rare boon to me;

 हम कहँ दुर्लभ दरस तुम्हारा। जानत हौं कछु भल होनिहारा॥
कह मुनि तात भयउ अँधिआरा। जोजन सत्तरि नगरु तुम्हारा॥4॥
hama kahaom durlabha darasa tumhārā. jānata hauṃ kachu bhala hōnihārā..
kaha muni tāta bhayau aomdhiyārā. jōjana sattari nagaru tumhārā..

it leads me to believe that something good is about to befall me.” The hermit said, “It is now dusk, my son; and your city is five hundred and sixty miles away.

दोहा | Dohas :
निसा घोर गंभीर बन पंथ न सुनहु सुजान।
बसहु आजु अस जानि तुम्ह जाएहु होत बिहान॥159 (क)॥
nisā ghōra gambhīra bana paṃtha na sunahu sujāna.
basahu åju asa jåni tumha jåehu hota bihåna..

Listen, O friend: dark and dreary is the night, and the forest is dense and trackless; knowing this, tarry here overnight and depart next morning.

 

 तुलसी जसि भवतब्यता तैसी मिलइ सहाइ।
आपुनु आवइ ताहि पहिं ताहि तहाँ लै जाइ॥159(ख)॥
tulasī jasi bhavatabyatā taisī milai sahāi.
āpunu āvai tāhi pahiṃ tāhi tahāom lai jāi..159kha..

The inevitable, says Tulasidasa, is invariably preceded by circumstances that are favourable to it. Either it comes to a man or takes him to the cause of his doom.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
भलेहिं नाथ आयसु धरि सीसा। बाँधि तुरग तरु बैठ महीसा॥
नृप बहु भाँति प्रसंसेउ ताही। चरन बंदि निज भाग्य सराही॥1॥
bhalēhiṃ nātha āyasu dhari sīsā. bāomdhi turaga taru baiṭha mahīsā..

nripa bahu bhåti prasanseu tåhi. carana bandi nija bhågya saråhi..

“Very well, my lord,” the king replied; and bowing to the hermit’s command he tied up the horse to a tree and then sat down. The king extolled him in many ways and bowing at his feet congratulated himself.

 पुनि बोलेउ मृदु गिरा सुहाई। जानि पिता प्रभु करउँ ढिठाई॥
मोहि मुनीस सुत सेवक जानी। नाथ नाम निज कहहु बखानी॥2॥
puni bōlē mṛdu girā suhāī. jāni pitā prabhu karauom ḍhiṭhāī..
mōhi munisa suta sēvaka jānī. nātha nāma nija kahahu bakhānī..

He then spoke to him in soft and endearing terms, “Regarding you as a father, my lord, I venture to address you. Looking upon me as your son and servant O great sage, pray tell me your name in full, my master.”

 तेहि न जान नृप नृपहि सो जाना। भूप सुहृद सो कपट सयाना॥
बैरी पुनि छत्री पुनि राजा। छल बल कीन्ह चहइ निज काजा॥3॥

tēhi na jāna nṛpa nṛpahi sō jānā. bhūpa suhrada sō kapaṭa sayānā..
bairī puni chatrī puni rājā. chala bala kīnha cahai nija kājā..

Although the king did not recognize him, he recognized the king. While the king had a guileless heart, the hermit was a pastmaster in fraud. Being an enemy in the first instance, and a Ksatriya on top of it and again of royal blood, he sought to accomplish his end by dint of his cunning.

 समुझि राजसुख दुखित अराती। अवाँ अनल इव सुलगइ छाती॥
ससरल बचन नृप के सुनि काना। बयर सँभारि हृदयँ हरषाना॥4॥
samujhi rājasukha dukhita arātī. avāom anala iva sulagai chātī..
sarala bacana nṛpa kē suni kānā. bayara saombhāri hṛdayaom haraṣānā..

The thought of the pleasures of royalty had made the enemy king sad; the fire of jealousy smouldered within his heart like that of a furnace. On hearing the artless words of Pratapabhanu and recalling the grudge he had nursed against him, the hermit felt delighted at heart.

दोहा | Dohas :
कपट बोरि बानी मृदल बोलेउ जुगुति समेत।
नाम हमार भिखारि अब निर्धन रहित निकेत॥160॥

kapaṭa bōri bānī mṛdula bōlēu juguti samēta.
nāma hamāra bhikhāri aba nirdhana rahita nikēti..160..

He uttered the following soft yet false and artful words, “My name is now Bhikhari (a mendicant), penniless and homeless as I am.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
कह नृप जे बिग्यान निधाना। तुम्ह सारिखे गलित अभिमाना॥
सदा रहहिं अपनपौ दुराएँ। सब बिधि कुसल कुबेष बनाएँ॥1॥
kaha nṛpa jē bigyāna nidhānā. tumha sārikhē galita abhimānā..
sadā rahahi apanapau durāēom. saba bidhi kusala kubēṣa banāēom..

The king replied, “Those who are repositories of wisdom and free from pride like you always keep their reality concealed; even though proficient in everyway, they prefer to remain in tattered clothes.

 तेहि तें कहहिं संत श्रुति टेरें। परम अकिंचन प्रिय हरि केरें॥
तुम्ह सम अधन भिखारि अगेहा। होत बिरंचि सिवहि संदेहा॥2॥
tēhi tēṃ kahahi saṃta śruti ṭērēṃ. parama akiṃcana priya hari kērēṃ..
tumha sama adhana bhikhāri agēhā. hōta biraṃci sivahi saṃdēhā..

That is why saints as well as the Vedas proclaim that those who are supremely indigent are held most dear by Sri Hari. Penniless and homeless beggars like you fill the minds of even Viranci (Brahma) and Siva with doubt.

 जोसि सोसि तव चरन नमामी। मो पर कृपा करिअ अब स्वामी॥
सहज प्रीति भूपति कै देखी। आपु बिषय बिस्वास बिसेषी॥3॥
jōsi sōsi tava carana namāmī. mō para kṛpā karia aba svāmī..
sahaja prīti bhūpati kai dēkhī. āpu biṣaya bisvāsa bisēṣī..

Whoever you may be, I bow at Your feet; now be gracious to me, my lord.” When the hermit saw the king’s artless affection and extraordinary faith in him,

 सब प्रकार राजहि अपनाई। बोलेउ अधिक सनेह जनाई॥
सुनु सतिभाउ कहउँ महिपाला। इहाँ बसत बीते बहु काला॥4॥

saba prakāra rājahi apanāī. bōlēu adhika sanēha janāī..
sunu satibhāu kahauom mahipālā. ihāom basata bītē bahu kālā..

he won him over in everyway, and spoke with a still greater affection “Listen, O king; I tell you sincerely that I have dwelt here for long.

दोहा | Dohas :
अब लगि मोहि न मिलेउ कोउ मैं न जनावउँ काहु।
लोकमान्यता अनल सम कर तप कानन दाहु॥161 क॥
aba lagi mōhi na milēu kōu maiṃ na janāvauom kāhu.
lōkamānyatā anala sama kara tapa kānana dāhu..161ka.

“No one has come to me so far nor do I make myself known to anyone; for popular esteem is like a wild fire, which consumes the forest of penance (i.e., neutralizes it).”

सोरठा | Sortha
तुलसी देखि सुबेषु भूलहिं मूढ़ न चतुर नर।
सुंदर केकिहि पेखु बचन सुधा सम असन अहि॥161 ख॥

tulasī dēkhi subēṣu bhūlahiṃ mūḍha na catura nara.
suṃdara kēkihi pēkhu bacana sudhā sama asana ahi..161kha..

Not only fools, says Tulasidåsa, but even clever men are taken in by fair appearances. Look at the beautiful peacock: though its notes are sweet like nectar, it devours snakes.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
तातें गुपुत रहउँ जग माहीं। हरि तजि किमपि प्रयोजन नाहीं॥
प्रभु जानत सब बिनहिं जनाए। कहहु कवनि सिधि लोक रिझाएँ॥1॥

tātēṃ guputa rahauom jaga māhīṃ. hari taji kimapi prayōjana nāhīṃ..
prabhu jānata saba binahiṃ janāēom. kahahu kavani sidhi lōka rijhāēom..

That is why I live in this world away from the public gaze. I have little to do with anything other than Sri Hari. The Lord knows everything without being told; tell me, then, what is to be gained by humouring the world.

 तुम्ह सुचि सुमति परम प्रिय मोरें। प्रीति प्रतीति मोहि पर तोरें॥
अब जौं तात दुरावउँ तोही। दारुन दोष घटइ अति मोही॥2॥

tumha suci sumati parama priya mōrēṃ. prīti pratīti mōhi para tōrēṃ..

aba jauṃ tāta durāvau tōhī. dāruna dōṣa ghaṭai ati mōhī..

You are sincere and intelligent and are therefore supremely dear to me; and I too have earned your affection and confidence. Now, my son, if I were to keep anything from you, I shall incur the most severe blame.”

 जिमि जिमि तापसु कथइ उदासा। तिमि तिमि नृपहि उपज बिस्वासा॥
देखा स्वबस कर्म मन बानी। तब बोला तापस बगध्यानी॥3॥

jimi jimi tāpasu kathai udāsā. timi timi nṛpahi upaja bisvāsā..
dēkhā svabasa karma mana bānī. taba bōlā tāpasa bagadhyānī..

The more the hermit talked of his indifference to the world the more trustful grew the king. When the false anchorite saw the king devoted to him in thought, word and deed, he said,

 नाम हमार एकतनु भाई। सुनि नृप बोलेउ पुनि सिरु नाई॥
कहहु नाम कर अरथ बखानी। मोहि सेवक अति आपन जानी॥4॥

nāma hamāra ēkatanu bhāī. suni nṛpa bōlē puni siru nāī..
kahahu nāma kara aratha bakhānī. mōhi sēvaka ati āpana jānī..

“My name, brother, is Ekatanu.” Hearing this, the king bowed his head and asked further, “Kindly explain to me the meaning of this appellation recognizing me as your faithful servant.

दोहा | Dohas :
आदिसृष्टि उपजी जबहिं तब उतपति भै मोरि।
नाम एकतनु हेतु तेहि देह न धरी बहोरि॥162॥

ādisṛṣṭi upajī jabahiṃ taba utapati bhai mōri.
nāma ēkatanu hētu tēhi dēha na dharī bahōri..162..

My birth took place at the first dawn of creation. Since then I have never taken another body; that is why I am called Ekatanu.”

चौपाई | Chaupais :
जनि आचरजु करहु मन माहीं। सुत तप तें दुर्लभ कछु नाहीं॥
तप बल तें जग सृजइ बिधाता। तप बल बिष्नु भए परित्राता॥1॥

jani ācaruja karahu mana māhīṃ. suta tapa tēṃ durlabha kachu nāhīṃ..
tapabala tēṃ jaga sṛjai bidhātā. tapabala biṣnu bhaē paritrātā..

“Marvel not, my son, to hear this; for nothing is too difficult to obtain through penance. By dint of penance Brahma creates the universe; by dint of penance Visnu assumed the role of its protector.

 तपबल संभु करहिं संघारा। तप तें अगम न कछु संसारा॥
भयउ नृपहि सुनि अति अनुरागा। कथा पुरातन कहै सो लागा॥2॥

tapabala saṃbhu karahiṃ saṃghārā. tapa tēṃ agama na kachu saṃsārā..
bhayau nṛpahi suni ati anurāgā. kathā purātana kahai sō lāgā..

By dint of penance, again, Sambhu destroys the world; there is nothing in this world which cannot be attained through penance.” Hearing this, the king felt much enamoured and the hermit commenced relating old legends.

 करम धरम इतिहास अनेका। करइ निरूपन बिरति बिबेका॥
उदभव पालन प्रलय कहानी। कहेसि अमित आचरज बखानी॥3॥

karama dharama itihāsa anēkā. karai nirūpana birati bibēkā..
udabhava pālana pralaya kahānī. kahēsi amita ācaraja bakhānī..

Having discussed topics of Karma (action) and Dharma (duty) and told many legends bearing on them he discoursed on dispassion and knowledge. And he further related at length countless marvellous stories connected with the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the universe.

 सुनि महीप तापस बस भयऊ। आपन नाम कहन तब लयउ॥
कह तापस नृप जानउँ तोही। कीन्हेहु कपट लाग भल मोही॥4॥

suni mahipa tāpasa basa bhayaū. āpana nāma kahata taba layaū..
kaha tāpasa nṛpa jānauom tōhī. kīnhēhu kapaṭa lāga bhala mōhī..

Hearing all this the king completely yielded to the influence of the hermit and then proceeded to tell him his real name. Said the hermit, “O king, I know you. Even though you tried to deceive me, I appreciated this move on your part.

सोरठा | Sortha
सुनु महीस असि नीति जहँ तहँ नाम न कहहिं नृप।
मोहि तोहि पर अति प्रीति सोइ चतुरता बिचारि तव॥163॥

sunu mahīsa asi nīti jahaom tahaom nāma na kahahiṃ nṛpa.
mōhi tōhi para ati prīti sōi caturatā bicāri tava..163..

O king, the political maxim is that kings should not disclose their name in all cases. And when I thought of your political sagacity, I conceived great love for you.”

चौपाई | Chaupais :
नाम तुम्हार प्रताप दिनेसा। सत्यकेतु तव पिता नरेसा॥
गुर प्रसाद सब जानिअ राजा। कहिअ न आपन जानि अकाजा॥1॥
nāma tumhāra pratāpa dinēsā. satyakētu tava pitā narēsā..
gura prasāda saba jānia rājā. kahia na āpana jāni akājā..

Your name is Pratapabhanu; king Satyaketu was your father. O king, by the grace of my preceptor I know everything; but foreseeing my own harm I refuse to tell everything I know.

 देखि तात तव सहज सुधाई। प्रीति प्रतीति नीति निपुनाई॥
उपजि परी ममता मन मोरें। कहउँ कथा निज पूछे तोरें॥2॥

dēkhi tāta tava sahaja sudhāī. prīti pratīti nīti nipunāī..
upaji pari mamatā mana mōrēṃ. kahauom kathā nija pūchē tōrēṃ..

When I saw your natural straightforwardness, affection, faith and political wisdom, I conceived a spontaneous affection for you; and that is why I told you my own story on your asking.

 अब प्रसन्न मैं संसय नाहीं। मागु जो भूप भाव मन माहीं॥
सुनि सुबचन भूपति हरषाना। गहि पद बिनय कीन्हि बिधि नाना॥3॥
aba prasanna maiṃ saṃsaya nāhīṃ. māgu jō bhūpa bhāva mana māhīṃ..
suni subacana bhūpati haraṣānā. gahi pada binaya kīnhi bidhi nānā..

I am now pleased; doubt not and ask what you will, O king.” Hearing these agreeable words, the king rejoiced and, clasping the hermit’s feet, supplicated to him in many ways.

 कृपासिंधु मुनि दरसन तोरें। चारि पदारथ करतल मोरें॥
प्रभुहि तथापि प्रसन्न बिलोकी। मागि अगम बर होउँ असोकी॥4॥
kṛpāsiṃdhu muni darasana tōrēṃ. cāri padāratha karatala mōrēṃ..
prabhuhi tathāpi prasanna bilōkī. māgi agama bara hōuom asōkī..

“O gracious sage, by your very sight I have within my grasp all the four ends of human existence (viz., religious merit, wealth, enjoyment and final beatitude). Yet, as I see my lord so gracious, I would ask a boon which is impossible to attain otherwise, and thereby overcome sorrow.

दोहा | Dohas :
जरा मरन दुख रहित तनु समर जितै जनि कोउ।
एकछत्र रिपुहीन महि राज कलप सत होउ॥164॥

jarā marana dukha rahita tanu samara jitai jani kōu.
ēkachatra ripuhīna mahi rāja kalapa sata hōu..164..

Let my body be free from old age, death and suffering; let no one vanquish me in battle and let me enjoy undisputed sovereignty over the globe for a hundred Kalpas (repetitions of creation) and let me have no enemies.”

चौपाई | Chaupais :
कह तापस नृप ऐसेइ होऊ। कारन एक कठिन सुनु सोऊ॥
कालउ तुअ पद नाइहि सीसा। एक बिप्रकुल छाड़ि महीसा॥1॥
kaha tāpasa nṛpa aisēi hōū. kārana ēka kaṭhina sunu sōū..
kālau tua pada nāihi sīsā. ēka biprakula chāḍai mahīsā..

Said the anchorite, “So be it, O king. But there is one difficulty; hear it too. Even Death shall bow his head at your feet (much more those who are subject to death). The only exception shall be the Brahmanas, O ruler of the earth.

 तपबल बिप्र सदा बरिआरा। तिन्ह के कोप न कोउ रखवारा॥
जौं बिप्रन्ह बस करहु नरेसा। तौ तुअ बस बिधि बिष्नु महेसा॥2॥

tapabala bipra sadā bariārā. tinha kē kōpa na kōu rakhavārā..
jauṃ bipranha saba karahu narēsā. tau tua basa bidhi biṣnu mahēsā..

The Brahmanas are ever powerful by virtue of their penance; no one can deliver from their wrath. If you can reduce the Brahmanas to your will, O king, even Brahma, Visnu and the great Lord Siva shall be at your command.

चल न ब्रह्मकुल सन बरिआई। सत्य कहउँ दोउ भुजा उठाई॥
बिप्र श्राप बिनु सुनु महिपाला। तोर नास नहिं कवनेहुँ काला॥3॥

cala na brahmakula sana bariāī. satya kahauom dōu bhujā uṭhāī..
bipra śrāpa binu sunu mahipālā. tōra nāsa nahi kavanēhuom kālā..

Might is of no avail against the Brahmanas; with both arms raised to heaven I tell you this truth. Listen, O sovereign; if you escape the Brahmana’s curse, you shall never perish.

 हरषेउ राउ बचन सुनि तासू। नाथ न होइ मोर अब नासू॥
तव प्रसाद प्रभु कृपानिधाना। मो कहुँ सर्बकाल कल्याना॥4॥

haraṣēu rāu bacana suni tāsū. nātha na hōi mōra aba nāsū..
tava prasāda prabhu kṛpānidhānā. mō kahuom sarba kāla kalyānā..

Hearing his words, the king rejoiced and said, “My lord, I shall no longer die. By your grace, O benevolent master, I shall be blessed at all times.

दोहा | Dohas :
एवमस्तु कहि कपट मुनि बोला कुटिल बहोरि।
मिलब हमार भुलाब निज कहहु त हमहि न खोरि॥165॥
ēvamastu kahi kapaṭamuni bōlā kuṭila bahōri.
milaba hamāra bhulāba nija kahahu ta hamahi na khōri..165..

Amen!” said the false anchorite, and added with crafty intent, “If you tell anyone about my meeting with you and your straying away, the fault shall not be mine.”

चौपाई | Chaupais :
तातें मैं तोहि बरजउँ राजा। कहें कथा तव परम अकाजा॥
छठें श्रवन यह परत कहानी। नास तुम्हार सत्य मम बानी॥1॥

tātēṃ mai tōhi barajauom rājā. kahēṃ kathā tava parama akājā..
chaṭhēṃ śravana yaha parata kahānī. nāsa tumhāra satya mama bānī..

“I warn you, O king, because great harm shall befall you if you relate this incident to anyone. If this talk happens to reach a third pair of ears, I tell you the truth, you are doomed.

 यह प्रगटें अथवा द्विजश्रापा। नास तोर सुनु भानुप्रतापा॥
आन उपायँ निधन तव नाहीं। जौं हरि हर कोपहिं मन माहीं॥2॥
yaha pragaṭēṃ athavā dvijaśrāpā. nāsa tōra sunu bhānupratāpā..
āna upāyaom nidhana tava nāhīṃ. jauṃ hari hara kōpahiṃ mana māhīṃ..

O Pratapabhanu, if you divulge this secret or if a Brahmana curses you, you are undone. In no other way shall you die, even if Sri Hari and Hara get angry with you.”

 सत्य नाथ पद गहि नृप भाषा। द्विज गुर कोप कहहु को राखा॥
राखइ गुर जौं कोप बिधाता। गुर बिरोध नहिं कोउ जग त्राता॥3॥
satya nātha pada gahi nṛpa bhāṣā. dvija gura kōpa kahahu kō rākhā..
rākhai gura jauṃ kōpa bidhātā. gura birōdha nahiṃ kōu jaga trātā..

“It is true, my lord,” said the king, clasping the hermit’s feet. “Tell me, who can deliver from the wrath of a Brahmana or a spiritual preceptor? A Guru can save one even if one has evoked the wrath of Brahma; but in the event of a quarrel with one’s preceptor there is no one in the world who can save.

 जौं न चलब हम कहे तुम्हारें। होउ नास नहिं सोच हमारें॥
एकहिं डर डरपत मन मोरा। प्रभु महिदेव श्राप अति घोरा॥4॥

jauṃ na calaba hama kahē tumhārēṃ. hōu nāsa nahiṃ sōca hamārēṃ..
ēkahiṃ ḍara ḍarapata mana mōrā. prabhu mahidēva śrāpa ati ghōrā..

If I do not follow your advice, let me perish; I care not. My mind is disturbed by only one fear; the curse of a Brahmana, my lord, is something most terrible.”

दोहा | Dohas :
होहिं बिप्र बस कवन बिधि कहहु कृपा करि सोउ।
तुम्ह तजि दीनदयाल निज हितू न देखउँ कोउ॥166॥

hōhiṃ bipra basa kavana bidhi kahahu kṛpā kari sōu.
tumha taji dīnadayāla nija hitū na dēkhauom kōuom..166..

“How shall I be able to win over the Brahmanas? Kindly tell me that too. I see no friend other than you, my gracious lord.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
सुनु नृप बिबिध जतन जग माहीं। कष्टसाध्य पुनि होहिं कि नाहीं॥
अहइ एक अति सुगम उपाई। तहाँ परन्तु एक कठिनाई॥1॥

sunu nṛpa bibidha jatana jaga māhīṃ. kaṣṭasādhya puni hōhiṃ ki nāhīṃ..
ahai ēka ati sugama upāī. tahāom paraṃtu ēka kaṭhināī..

Listen, O king: there are various expedients in this world. But they are hard to accomplish and are of doubtful issue besides. Of course, there is one very simple device; but that too involves one difficulty.

 मम आधीन जुगुति नृप सोई। मोर जाब तव नगर न होई॥
आजु लगें अरु जब तें भयऊँ। काहू के गृह ग्राम न गयऊँ॥2॥

mama ādhīna juguti nṛpa sōī. mōra jāba tava nagara na hōī..
āju lagēṃ aru jaba tēṃ bhayaūom. kāhū kē gṛha grāma na gayaūom..

Its contrivance depends on me; but my going to your city is out of the question. Ever since I was born I have never been to anybody’s house or village so far.

 जौं न जाउँ तव होइ अकाजू। बना आइ असमंजस आजू॥
सुनि महीस बोलेउ मृदु बानी। नाथ निगम असि नीति बखानी॥3॥

jauṃ na jāuom tava hōi akājū. banā āi asamaṃjasa ājū..
suni mahīsa bōlēu mṛdu bānī. nātha nigama asi nīti bakhānī..

And if I do not go, it will be a misfortune for you. I am therefore in a dilemma today.” Hearing this, the king replied in a polite language, “My lord, there is a maxim laid down in the Vedas:

बड़े सनेह लघुन्ह पर करहीं। गिरि निज सिरनि सदा तृन धरहीं॥
जलधि अगाध मौलि बह फेनू। संतत धरनि धरत सिर रेनू॥4॥

baḍaē sanēha laghunha para karahīṃ. giri nija sirani sadā tṛna dharahīṃ..
jaladhi agādha mauli baha phēnū. saṃtata dharani dharata sira rēnū..

the great show kindness to the small. Mountains always bear tiny blades of grass on their tops, the fathomless ocean carries floating foam on its breast and the earth ever bears dust on its bosom.”

दोहा | Dohas :
अस कहि गहे नरेस पद स्वामी होहु कृपाल।
मोहि लागि दुख सहिअ प्रभु सज्जन दीनदयाल॥167॥

asa kahi gahē narēsa pada svāmī hōhu kṛpāla.
mōhi lāgi dukha sahia prabhu sajjana dīnadayāla..167..

So saying, the king clasped the hermit’s feet and said, “Be gracious to me, my master. You are a saint, compassionate to the humble; therefore, my lord, take this trouble on my behalf.”

चौपाई | Chaupais :
जानि नृपहि आपन आधीना। बोला तापस कपट प्रबीना॥
सत्य कहउँ भूपति सुनु तोही। जग नाहिन दुर्लभ कछु मोही॥1॥

jāni nṛpahi āpana ādhīnā. bōlā tāpasa kapaṭa prabīnā..
satya kahauom bhūpati sunu tōhī. jaga nāhina durlabha kachu mōhī..

Knowing that the king was completely under his influence, the hermit, who was clever at deception, said, “Listen, O king: I tell you the truth. For me in this world there is nothing hard to obtain.

अवसि काज मैं करिहउँ तोरा। मन तन बचन भगत तैं मोरा॥
जोग जुगुति तप मंत्र प्रभाऊ। फलइ तबहिं जब करिअ दुराऊ॥2॥
avasi kāja maiṃ karihauom tōrā. mana tana bacana bhagata taiṃ mōrā..
jōga juguti tapa maṃtra prabhāū. phalai tabahiṃ jaba karia durāū..

I will surely accomplish your object, devoted as you are in thought, word and deed to me. The power of Yoga (contemplation), planning, penance and mystic formulas works only when secrecy is maintained about them.

जौं नरेस मैं करौं रसोई। तुम्ह परुसहु मोहि जान न कोई॥
अन्न सो जोइ जोइ भोजन करई। सोइ सोइ तव आयसु अनुसरई॥3॥

jauṃ narēsa maiṃ karauṃ rasōī. tumha parusahu mōhi jāna na kōī..
anna sō jōi jōi bhōjana karaī. sōi sōi tava āyasu anusaraī..

O king, if I cook food and you serve it and if nobody comes to know me, whoever tastes the food so prepared shall become amenable to your orders.

पुनि तिन्ह के गृह जेवँइ जोऊ। तव बस होइ भूप सुनु सोऊ॥
जाइ उपाय रचहु नृप एहू। संबत भरि संकलप करेहू॥4॥

puni tinha kē gṛha jēvaomi jōū. tava basa hōi bhūpa sunu sōū..
jāi upāya racahu nṛpa ēhū. saṃbata bhari saṃkalapa karēhū..

Again, I tell you, whosoever dines at the house of such people shall, O king, be dominated by your will. Go and operate this scheme, O king, and take this vow for a whole year.

दोहा | Dohas :
नित नूतन द्विज सहस सत बरेहु सहित परिवार।
मैं तुम्हरे संकलप लगि दिनहिं करबि जेवनार॥168॥

nita nūtana dvija sahasa sata barēhu sahita parivāra.
maiṃ tumharē saṃkalapa lagi dinahiṃkariba jēvanāra..168..

“Everyday invite a new set of a hundred thousand Brahmanas with their families; while I, so long as your vow lasts, shall provide the daily banquet.”

चौपाई | Chaupais :
एहि बिधि भूप कष्ट अति थोरें। होइहहिं सकल बिप्र बस तोरें॥
करिहहिं बिप्र होममख सेवा। तेहिं प्रसंग सहजेहिं बस देवा॥1॥

ēhi bidhi bhūpa kaṣṭa ati thōrēṃ. hōihahiṃ sakala bipra basa tōrēṃ..
karihahiṃ bipra hōma makha sēvā. tēhiṃ prasaṃga sahajēhiṃ basa dēvā.

“In this way O king, with little exertion all the Brahmanas shall be reduced to your will. The Brahmanas in their turn will offer oblations into the sacred fire, perform big sacrifices and practise adoration; and through that channel the gods too shall be easily won over.

और एक तोहि कहउँ लखाऊ। मैं एहिं बेष न आउब काऊ॥
तुम्हरे उपरोहित कहुँ राया। हरि आनब मैं करि निज माया॥2॥

aura ēka tōhi kahaūom lakhāū. maiṃ ēhi bēṣa na āuba kāū..
tumharē uparōhita kahuom rāyā. hari ānaba maiṃ kari nija māyā..

I give you one more sign. I will never come in this form. By my delusive power, O king, I will carry off your family priest and,

तपबल तेहि करि आपु समाना। रखिहउँ इहाँ बरष परवाना॥
मैं धरि तासु बेषु सुनु राजा। सब बिधि तोर सँवारब काजा॥3॥

tapabala tēhi kari āpu samānā. rakhihauom ihāom baraṣa paravānā..
maiṃ dhari tāsu bēṣu sunu rājā. saba bidhi tōra saomvāraba kājā..

making him just like myself by dint of my penance, will keep him here for the year; while I, O king, will take his form and manage everything for you.

गै निसि बहुत सयन अब कीजे। मोहि तोहि भूप भेंट दिन तीजे॥
मैं तपबल तोहि तुरग समेता। पहुँचैहउँ सोवतहि निकेता॥4॥

gai nisi bahuta sayana aba kījē. mōhi tōhi bhūpa bhēṃṭa dina tījē..
maiṃ tapabala tōhi turaga samētā. pahuomcēhauom sōvatahi nikētā..

The night is far gone, so you had better retire now; on the third day we will meet again. By my penitential power I will convey you home, both you and your horse, even while you are asleep.”

दोहा | Dohas :
मैं आउब सोइ बेषु धरि पहिचानेहु तब मोहि।
जब एकांत बोलाइ सब कथा सुनावौं तोहि॥169॥

maiṃ āuba sōi bēṣu dhari pahicānēhu taba mōhi.
jaba ēkāṃta bōlāi saba kathā sunāvauṃ tōhi..169..

“I will come in the form I have told you, and you will recognize me when I call you aside and remind you of all this.”

चौपाई | Chaupais :
सयन कीन्ह नृप आयसु मानी। आसन जाइ बैठ छलग्यानी॥
श्रमित भूप निद्रा अति आई। सो किमि सोव सोच अधिकाई॥1॥

sayana kīnha nṛpa āyasu mānī. āsana jāi baiṭha chalagyānī..
śramita bhūpa nidrā ati āī. sō kimi sōva sōca adhikāī..

The king went to sleep in obedience to the hermit; while the counterfeit sage returned to his own seat and sat down there. Deep sleep came upon the weary monarch; but how could the other fellow sleep, distracted as he was with anxiety.

कालकेतु निसिचर तहँ आवा। जेहिं सूकर होइ नृपहि भुलावा॥
परम मित्र तापस नृप केरा। जानइ सो अति कपट घनेरा॥2॥

kālakētu nisicara tahaom āvā. jēhiṃ sūkara hōi nṛpahi bhulāvā..
parama mitra tāpasa nṛpa kērā. jānai sō ati kapaṭa ghanērā..

The demon Kalaketu made his appearance there; it was he who had assumed the form of a boar and led the king astray. A great friend of the hermit-king, he was skilled in manifold ways of deceit.

तेहि के सत सुत अरु दस भाई। खल अति अजय देव दुखदाई॥
प्रथमहिं भूप समर सब मारे। बिप्र संत सुर देखि दुखारे॥3॥

tēhi kē sata suta aru dasa bhāī. khala ati ajaya dēva dukhadāī..
prathamahi bhūpa samara saba mārē. bipra saṃta sura dēkhi dukhārē..

He had a hundred sons and ten brothers, who were great villains, invincible and annoying to the gods. Seeing the Brahmanas, saints and gods in distress the king had already killed them all in battle.

तेहिं खल पाछिल बयरु सँभारा। तापस नृप मिलि मंत्र बिचारा॥
जेहिं रिपु छय सोइ रचेन्हि उपाऊ। भावी बस न जान कछु राऊ॥4॥

tēhiṃ khala pāchila bayaru saombharā. tāpasa nṛpa mili maṃtra bicārā..
jēhi ripu chaya sōi racēnhi upāū. bhāvī basa na jāna kachu rāū..

Recalling the old grudge the wretch conspired with the hermit-king and contrived a plot for the extermination of the enemy; but, as fate would have it, the king knew nothing of it.

दोहा | Dohas :
रिपु तेजसी अकेल अपि लघु करि गनिअ न ताहु।
अजहुँ देत दुख रबि ससिहि सिर अवसेषित राहु॥170॥

ripu tējasī akēla api laghu kari gania na tāhu.
ajahuom dēta dukha rabi sasihi sira avasēṣita rāhu..170..

A spirited foe, even though left alone, should not be lightly regarded. The demon Rahu,* who has nothing left of him but his head, is able to torment both the sun and moon even to this day.

तापस नृप निज सखहि निहारी। हरषि मिलेउ उठि भयउ सुखारी॥
मित्रहि कहि सब कथा सुनाई। जातुधान बोला सुख पाई॥1॥

tāpasa nṛpa nija sakhahi nihārī. haraṣi milēu uṭhi bhayau sukhārī..
mitrahi kahi saba kathā sunāī. jātudhāna bōlā sukha pāī..

The hermit-king was delighted to see his ally and rose to meet him. The meeting gave him much satisfaction and he related the whole story to his friend. The demon too was glad and said,

अब साधेउँ रिपु सुनहु नरेसा। जौं तुम्ह कीन्ह मोर उपदेसा॥
परिहरि सोच रहहु तुम्ह सोई। बिनु औषध बिआधि बिधि खोई॥2॥

aba sādhēuom ripu sunahu narēsā. jauṃ tumha kīnha mōra upadēsā..
parihari sōca rahahu tumha sōī. binu auṣadha biādhi bidhi khōī..

“Listen, O king: since you have followed my advice, take the enemy as subdued. Cease to worry now and lay yourself to rest. God has effected a cure without the use of a medicine,

कुल समेत रिपु मूल बहाई। चौथें दिवस मिलब मैं आई॥
तापस नृपहि बहुत परितोषी। चला महाकपटी अतिरोषी॥3॥

kula samēta ripu mūla bahāī. cauthē divasa milaba maiṃ āī..
tāpasa nṛpahi bahuta paritōṣī. calā mahākapaṭī atirōṣī..

I will sweep away the enemy root and branch and see you on the fourth day.” Fully reassuring the hermit-king, the arch-impostor, who was highly irascible, departed.

भानुप्रतापहि बाजि समेता। पहुँचाएसि छन माझ निकेता॥
नृपहि नारि पहिं सयन कराई। हयगृहँ बाँधेसि बाजि बनाई॥4॥

bhānupratāpahi bāji samētā. pahuomcāēsi chana mājha nikētā..
nṛpahi nāri pahiṃ sayana karāī. hayagṛhaom bāomdhēsi bāji banāī..

In an instant he conveyed Pratapabhanu to his palace, horse and all. Putting the king to bed beside his queen, he tied up the horse in the stall in the proper way.

दोहा | Dohas :
राजा के उपरोहितहि हरि लै गयउ बहोरि।
लै राखेसि गिरि खोह महुँ मायाँ करि मति भोरि॥171॥

rājā kē uparōhitahi hari lai gayau bahōri.
lai rākhēsi giri khōha mahuom māyāom kari mati bhōri..171..

Again he carried off the king’s family-priest and, depriving him of his senses by his supernatural power, kept him in a mountain-cave.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
आपु बिरचि उपरोहित रूपा। परेउ जाइ तेहि सेज अनूपा॥
जागेउ नृप अनभएँ बिहाना। देखि भवन अति अचरजु माना॥1॥

āpu biraci uparōhita rūpā. parēu jāi tēhi sēja anūpā..
jāgēu nṛpa anabhaēom bihānā. dēkhi bhavana ati acaraju mānā..

Himself assuming the form of the family-priest, the demon went and lay down on the former’s sumptuous bed. The king woke even before daybreak and felt much astonished to find himself at home.

मुनि महिमा मन महुँ अनुमानी। उठेउ गवँहिं जेहिं जान न रानी॥
कानन गयउ बाजि चढ़ि तेहीं। पुर नर नारि न जानेउ केहीं॥2॥

muni mahimā mana mahuom anumānī. uṭhēu gavaomhi jēhi jāna na rānī..
kānana gayau bāji caḍhai tēhīṃ. pura nara nāri na jānēu kēhīṃ..

Attributing the miracle to the supernatural power of the sage, he got up quietly, unperceived by the queen. Mounting the same horse he rode off to the woods without any man or woman of the city knowing it.

गएँ जाम जुग भूपति आवा। घर घर उत्सव बाज बधावा॥
उपरोहितहि देख जब राजा। चकित बिलोक सुमिरि सोइ काजा॥3॥

gaēom jāma juga bhūpati āvā. ghara ghara utsava bāja badhāvā..
uparōhitahi dēkha jaba rājā. cakita bilōki sumiri sōi kājā..

When it was midday, the king returned; there was rejoicing and festal music in every house. When the king saw his family-priest, he looked at him in amazement, recollecting the object he held so dear to his heart.

जुग सम नृपहि गए दिन तीनी। कपटी मुनि पद रह मति लीनी॥
समय जान उपरोहित आवा। नृपहि मते सब कहि समुझावा॥4॥

juga sama nṛpahi gaē dina tīnī. kapaṭī muni pada raha mati līnī..
samaya jāni uparōhita āvā. nṛpahi matē saba kahi samujhāvā..

The interval of three days hung heavy on the monarch as an age, his mind being set on the feet of the false anchorite. At the appointed time the priest came and reminded him in detail of all that had been agreed upon

दोहा | Dohas :
नृप हरषेउ पहिचानि गुरु भ्रम बस रहा न चेत।
बरे तुरत सत सहस बर बिप्र कुटुंब समेत॥172॥

nṛpa haraṣēu pahicāni guru bhrama basa rahā na cēta.
barē turata sata sahasa bara bipra kuṭuṃba samēta..172..

The king was delighted to recognize his preceptor (in the priest’s form); his mind was too clouded to have any sense left. At once he invited a hundred thousand chosen Brahmanas with their families.

चौपाई | Chaupais :
उपरोहित जेवनार बनाई। छरस चारि बिधि जसि श्रुति गाई॥
मायामय तेहिं कीन्हि रसोई। बिंजन बहु गनि सकइ न कोई॥1॥

uparōhita jēvanāra banāī. charasa cāri bidhi jasi śruti gāī..
māyāmaya tēhiṃ kīnha rasōī. biṃjana bahu gani sakai na kōī..

The priest cooked four kinds of foods with six different tastes as mentioned in the Vedas. He prepared an illusory banquet and a variety of seasoned dishes more than one could count.

बिबिध मृगन्ह कर आमिष राँधा। तेहि महुँ बिप्र माँसु खल साँधा॥
भोजन कहुँ सब बिप्र बोलाए। पद पखारि सादर बैठाए॥2॥

bibidha mṛganha kara āmiṣa rāomdhā. tēhi mahuom bipra māomsu khala sāomdhā..
bhōjana kahuom saba bipra bōlāē. pada pakhāri sādara baiṭhāē..

Dressing the flesh of a variety of animals the wretch mixed with it the cooked flesh of Brahmanas. All the invited Brahmanas were then called for the dinner. Their feet were duly washed and they were respectfully shown to their places.

परुसन जबहिं लाग महिपाला। भै अकासबानी तेहि काला॥
बिप्रबृंद उठि उठि गृह जाहू। है बड़ि हानि अन्न जनि खाहू॥3॥

parusana jabahiṃ lāga mahipālā. bhai akāsabānī tēhi kālā..
biprabṛṃda uṭhi uṭhi gṛha jāhū. hai baḍai hāni anna jani khāhū..

The moment the king began to serve the food, a (fictitious) voice from heaven (raised by the demon Kalaketu himself) said, “Up, up, Brahmanas! and return to your homes. Taste not this food; it is most harmful.

भयउ रसोईं भूसुर माँसू। सब द्विज उठे मानि बिस्वासू॥
भूप बिकल मति मोहँ भुलानी। भावी बस न आव मुख बानी॥4॥

bhayau rasōīṃ bhūsura māomsū. saba dvija uṭhē māni bisvāsū..
bhūpa bikala mati mōhaom bhulānī. bhāvī basa āva mukha bānī..

The dishes include the flesh of the Brahmanas.”Up rose all the Brahmanas believing the ethereal voice. The king lost his nerve; his mind was bewildered with infatuation. As fate would have it, he could not utter a word.

दोहा | Dohas :
बोले बिप्र सकोप तब नहिं कछु कीन्ह बिचार।
जाइ निसाचर होहु नृप मूढ़ सहित परिवार॥173॥

bōlē bipra sakōpa taba nahiṃ kachu kīnha bicāra.
jāi nisācara hōhu nṛpa mūḍha sahita parivāra..173..

Then exclaimed the Brahmanas in wrath, regardless of consequences, “O foolish king, go and take birth in the demon’s form, you and all your family.”

चौपाई | Chaupais :
छत्रबंधु तैं बिप्र बोलाई। घालै लिए सहित समुदाई॥
ईश्वर राखा धरम हमारा। जैहसि तैं समेत परिवारा॥1॥

chatrabaṃdhu taiṃ bipra bōlāī. ghālai liē sahita samudāī..
īsvara rākhā dharama hamārā. jaihasi taiṃ samēta parivārā..

O vile Ksatriya! inviting the Brahmanas you were out to ruin them with their families. But God has preserved our sanctity; it is you and your race that are undone.

संबत मध्य नास तव होऊ। जलदाता न रहिहि कुल कोऊ॥
नृप सुनि श्राप बिकल अति त्रासा। भै बहोरि बर गिरा अकासा॥2॥

saṃbata madhya nāsa tava hōū. jaladātā na rahihi kula kōū..
nṛpa suni śrāpa bikala ati trāsā. bhai bahōri bara girā akāsā..

In the course of a year you shall perish; and not a soul shall be left in your family to offer water to gratify your spirit.” Hearing the curse the king was sore stricken with fear. Again, a voice was heard from heaven,

बिप्रहु श्राप बिचारि न दीन्हा। नहिं अपराध भूप कछु कीन्हा॥
चकित बिप्र सब सुनि नभबानी। भूप गयउ जहँ भोजन खानी॥3॥

biprahu śrāpa bicāri na dīnhā. nahiṃ aparādha bhūpa kachu kīnhā..
cakita bipra saba suni nabhabānī. bhūpa gayau jahaom bhōjana khānī..

“O holy Brahmanas you have uttered this curse without careful thought; the king has committed no crime.” The Brahmanas were astounded when they heard the ethereal voice. The king hastened to the kitchen.

 तहँ न असन नहिं बिप्र सुआरा। फिरेउ राउ मन सोच अपारा॥
सब प्रसंग महिसुरन्ह सुनाई। त्रसित परेउ अवनीं अकुलाई॥4॥

tahaom na asana nahiṃ bipra suārā. phirēu rāu mana sōca apārā..
saba prasaṃga mahisuranha sunāī. trasita parēu avanīṃ akulāī..

There was neither any food there nor the Brahmana cook. The king returned in deep thought. He related the whole story to the Brahmanas and threw himself on the ground frantic with fear.

दोहा | Dohas :
भूपति भावी मिटइ नहिं जदपि न दूषन तोर।
किएँ अन्यथा दोइ नहिं बिप्रश्राप अति घोर॥174॥

bhūpati bhāvī miṭai nahiṃ jadapi na dūṣana tōra.
kiēom anyathā hōi nahiṃ bipraśrāpa ati ghōra..174..

Even though you are guiltless, O king, what is inevitable fails not. A Brahmana’s curse is very terrible; no amount of effort can counteract it.”

चौपाई | Chaupais :
अस कहि सब महिदेव सिधाए। समाचार पुरलोगन्ह पाए॥
सोचहिं दूषन दैवहि देहीं। बिरचत हंस काग किए जेहीं॥1॥

asa kahi saba mahidēva sidhāē. samācāra puralōganha pāē..
sōcahiṃ dūṣana daivahi dēhīṃ. bicarata haṃsa kāga kiya jēhīṃ..

So saying, all the Brahmanas dispersed. When the people of the city received the news, they were much perturbed and began to blame Providence, who had begun upon a swan and produced a crow instead.

उपरोहितहि भवन पहुँचाई। असुर तापसहि खबरि जनाई॥
तेहिं खल जहँ तहँ पत्र पठाए। सजि सजि सेन भूप सब धाए॥2॥

uparōhitahi bhavana pahuomcāī. asura tāpasahi khabari janāī..
tēhiṃ khala jahaom tahaom patra paṭhāē. saji saji sēna bhūpa saba dhāē..

Conveying the priest to his house, the demon (Kalaketu) communicated the tidings to the hermit. The wretch in his turn despatched letters in all directions and a host of princes hastened with their troops martially arrayed and,

घेरेन्हि नगर निसान बजाई। बिबिध भाँति नित होइ लराई॥
जूझे सकल सुभट करि करनी। बंधु समेत परेउ नृप धरनी॥3॥

ghērēnhi nagara nisāna bajāī. bibidha bhāomti nita hōī larāī..
jūjhē sakala subhaṭa kari karanī. baṃdhu samēta parēu nṛpa dharanī..

beating their kettledrums, beleaguered the city. Everyday battles were fought in diverse forms. All his champions fought valiantly and fell. And the king with his brother bit the dust.

सत्यकेतु कुल कोउ नहिं बाँचा। बिप्रश्राप किमि होइ असाँचा॥
रिपु जिति सब नृप नगर बसाई। निज पुर गवने जय जसु पाई॥4॥

satyakētu kula kōu nahiṃ bāomcā. bipraśrāpa kimi hōi asāomcā..
ripu jiti saba nṛpa nagara basāī. nija pura gavanē jaya jasu pāī..

Not one of Satyaketu’s family survived; a Brahmana’s curse can never fail. Having vanquished the foe and re-inhabiting the city all the chiefs returned to their own capitals enriched with victory and fame.

दोहा | Dohas :
भरद्वाज सुनु जाहि जब होई बिधाता बाम।
धूरि मेरुसम जनक जम ताहि ब्यालसम दाम॥175॥

bharadvāja sunu jāhi jaba hōi bidhātā bāma.
dhūri mērusama janaka jama tāhi byālasama dāma…175..

Listen, O Bharadvaja: whosoever incurs the displeasure of heaven, for him a grain of dust becomes vast as Mount Meru, a father becomes frightful as Yama (the god of death) and every rope a snake.