Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Bala Kanda – The wicked mendicant introduces himself as ‘Ekathanu’

 

Chapter – 156– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Bala Kanda – The wicked mendicant introduces himself as ‘Ekathanu’

 

The wicked ascetic spoke “Oh! son, all these years, no one has approached me in the dense forest, nor I did take the initiative to approach them. I am living alone in the forest and conducting Tapasya for several years now, and the isolation serves its purpose very well.”

 

Sri Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “No one is free from delusion, even the wise get illusioned by the outward appearances, like the peacock, resemble the epitome of loveliness and possess nectar-like cries, but meets its appetite hunting on venomous snakes.”

 

The wicked hermit continues “Oh! Son, I have preferred to live in solitude to keep me away from the people’s eye, I have absolutely nothing to do with them, other than contemplating and meditating upon Lord Sri Hari. The supreme Bhramam resides as a soul in us knows everything, so there is no point in entertaining myself into the material world. Oh! Son, you are innocent, wise, and truthful, you have been too honest and dear to me, hence If I keep anything secret within me, that would hurt me.” Thus, the hermit began to speak cleverly to impress King Prathapbhanu, did not leave any opportunity to portrait himself as noble before the King, eventually, he has achieved great trust from the King, the hermit continued “Oh! Son, my name is Ekathanu.” King listened to all those sweet coated lies of the hermit, was highly pleased with him, and revealed his curiousness to know the original meaning of his name.

 

Ab Lagi Mohi Na  Mileau Koau Mei Na  Janavau Kahu | Lokamanyatha Anala Sama Kar Thap Kanan Dhahu ||

Tulasi Dhekhi Subeshu Boolahi Mooda Na  Chathura  Nara | Sundara Kekihi Pekhu Sudha Sama Asana Ahi ||

Thathe Guputh Rahau Jaga Mahi | Hari Thaji Kimapi Prayojan Nahi || Prabhu Janath Sab  Binahi Janaya | Kahahu Kavani Sidhi Loka  Rijjaya || Thumha Suchi Sumathi Paramapriya More | Preethi Pratheethi Mohi Par Thore || Ab Jau Thatha Dhuravau Thohi | Dharuna Dhosha Ghatayi Athi Mohi || Jimi Jimi Thapasu Kathayi Udhasa | Thimi Thimi Nripahi Upaja Bagadhyani || Nama Hamara Yekathanu Bhayi | Suni Nripa  Boleau Puni Siru Nayi || Kahahu Nama Kar Aratha Bakhani | Mohi Sevak Athi Aapana Jani ||

 

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Bala Kanda – King Prathapbhanu gets highly impressed with the way of living of mendicant

 

Chapter – 155– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Bala Kanda – King Prathapbhanu gets highly impressed with the way of living of mendicant

 

The wicked ascetic spoke dexterously “I am a mendicant, I don’t have a home, wealth, possession, fame, money, richness, and people as my family, and relatives.” King Bhanuprathap was highly pleased with the well-spoken words of the ascetic, began to speak innocently “Oh! Mune, you are speaking wise words, which is difficult to understand for the people who are drenched in the Samsara, you are a mendicant by words, deeds, and thought, living in isolation for the welfare of the Universe and its living beings. The Saints, noble-souls, and Mahatmas do not take pride in material matters or possession, they are pure by heart, free from Ahamkara and Mamakara. These ascetics possess immense knowledge and wisdom, always appear in tattered clothes, do not take pleasure in worldly matters, live and practice as prescribed in the Veda and scriptures. These ascetics are most beloved of supreme Lord Hari, their mind is devoted at the lotus feet of Bhrama, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. Oh! Mune, whoever you are, I offer my humble salutation to you, kindly be gracious to me.” The wicked ascetic understood that King Prathapbhanu completely fallen under his spell, watching his faith and nobility, took great pleasure in the heart that he has won over enemy forever, began to speak affectionately “Oh! Rajan, I am living in this dense wood all alone for several thousands of years.”

 

Kapata Bori Bani Mridhula  Boleau Juguthi Sametha | Nama Hamara Bhikhari Aba Nirdhana Rahitha Niketha ||

Kaha Nripa Je Bigyana Nidhana | Thumha Sarikhe Galitha Abhimana || Sadha Rahahi Apanapau Dhuraya | Sab Bidhi Kusala Kubesha Banaya || Thehi The  Kahahi Santha Shruthi Dere | Parama Akinchana Priya Hari Kere || Thumha Sama Adhana Bhikhari Ageha | Hotha Biranchi Sivahi Sandheha || Josi Sosi Thava Charana Namami | Mo Par Kripa Karia Ab Swami || Sahaja Preethi Bhoopathi Kai Dhekhi | Aapu Bishaya Biswasa Biseshi || Sab Prakar Rajahi Apanayi | Boleau Adhika Saneha Janayi || Sunu Sathbhau Kahau Mahipala | Iha Basath Beethe Bahu Kala ||

 

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Bala Kanda – The innocence of King Prathapbhanu mounting troubles - The mendicant’s decisive plans against the King

 

Chapter – 154– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Bala Kanda – The innocence of King Prathapbhanu mounting troubles - The mendicant’s decisive plans against the King

 

 

The hermit spoke “Oh! Wise, listen to me carefully. It is not advisable to take up a journey through the dense forest during the dark hours of the night, you will end up in trouble, can’t locate the track where you have left behind, hence, kindly stay in my hermitage for a night, and as soon as the arrival of daylight, you can proceed to your city.”

Sri Tulsidas Maharaj says ‘opportunities arise all of a sudden as a curse or success in the life of an individual.

King Prathapbhanu amiably replied, “I shall obey your orders.” He went out and tied the horse safely to the nearby tree and returned to the hermitage, sat with the ascetic. Soon, they have engaged in conversation, King Prathapbhanu felt passionate to know more about the ascetic spoke in a soft tone “Oh! Mune, you are too kind to me as my father, kindly consider me as your sincere servant, I would like to know more about you. Why did you choose to live in the dense wood? Kindly introduce me in detail.” King Prathapbhanu has no knowledge of the ascetic who is in disguise is a valorous King, fought against him, lost his Kingdom and glories to him, flee to the forest, and was waiting to strike back. The ascetic already recognized the person sitting before him as none other than King Prapthapbhanu, his enemy whom he was waited for several years to settle scores with him. The ascetic recollected all those moments of humiliation and disgrace, forced him to flee from the middle of the battlefield, leaving his entire army men to die in the battle. As he was born Kshatriya, the ascetic had several plans rose in his mind to rip-off the pride of King Prathapbhanu, he felt jealousy of royal luxuries and life of the King, his heart started fuming like a furnace. The ascetic pretends to be observant to the innocent King Prathapbhanu, while his mind was full of traitorous plans to put the King in deep trouble, his heart rejoiced at the opportunity.

 

Nisa Ghora Gambeera Ban Panth Na Sunahu Sujana | Basahu Aaju Asa Jani Thumha Jayahu Hotha Bihana ||

Thulasi Jasi  Bhavathabhyatha Thaisi Milayi Sahayi | Aapunu Aavayi Thahi Pahi Thahi Thaha Lai Jayi ||

Bhalehi Nath AayasuDhariSeesa | Bandhi Thuraga Tharu Baita Maheesa || Nripa Bahu Bhanthi Prasmseau Thahi | Charana Bandhi Nija  Bhagya Sarahi || PUni Boleau Mridhu Gira Suhayi | Jani Pitha Prabhu Karau Didayi || Mohi Muneesa Sutha Sevaka Jani | Natha Nama Nija Kahahu Bakhani || Thehi  Na Jana Nripa Nripahi So Jana | Bhoopa Suhridha So Kapata Sayana || Bairi Puni Cchathri PUni Raja | Cchala Bala Keenha Chahayi Nija Kaja || Samujji Rajasukha Dhukhitha Aarathi | Aava Anala  Iva  Sulagayi Cchathi || Saralabachana Nripa Ke  Suni Kana | Bayar Sambhari Hridhaya Harshana ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Bala Kanda – The pleasant conversation between King Prathapbhanu and the mendicant

 

Chapter – 153– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Bala Kanda – The pleasant conversation between King Prathapbhanu and the mendicant

 

Sage Yajjavalkya speaks “Oh! Mune, King Prathapbhanu was respectfully invited by the mischievous King in disguise of a hermit, he led the King to a beautiful lake nearby the hermitage, King Prathapbhanu gladly took bath, and gave a bath to his horse as well, and satiated the thirst. Immediately, the weariness of hunger and thirst disappeared, regained enthusiasm, heaved a sigh of relief. It was the hours of sunset, the mendicant amiably led the King to his hermitage, offered him a seat, and spoke to him pleasantly “Oh! Master, who are you? Where are you from? Why are you alone in the dense forest? You are young, handsome, enthusiastic, I guess you are from a noble and rich family, I feel sad for you, what made you to wander alone in the dangerous woods?” King Prathapbhanu replied “Oh! Mune, I am the minister of the mighty King Prathapbhanu, I was accompanying the King for a hunting expedition, while the chase for the prey, we parted ways, lost track and time, fortunately, I have ended up here in your hermitage. It was my privilege, I could meet a great ascetic in the dense forest, I strongly believe that the sight of a noble person like you would bring good luck to me.” The hermit spoke “Oh! Son, it is the hours of nightfall, your city is five hundred and sixty miles away from the forest.”

 

Bhoopathi Thrishitha Biloki Thehi Sarbaru Dheenha Dhekhayi | Majjana Pan Sametha Haya Keenha Nripathi Harashayi ||

Jau Shrama Sakala Sukhi Nripa Bhayau | Nija Ashrama Thapasa Lai  Gayau || Asana Dheenha Astha Rabi Jani | PUni Thapasa Boleau Mridhu Bani || Ko Thumha Kasa Ban Phirahu Akele | Sundhar Juba Jeeva Parahele || Chakrabarththi Ke Lacchana Thore | Dhekhath Dhaya Lagi Athi More|| Nama Prathapabhanu Avaneesa | Thasu Sachiva  Mei  Sunahu Muneesa || Phirath Ahere Pareau Bhulayi | Bade Bhaga Dhekheau Padha Ayi || Ham Kaha Dhurllabha Dharasa Thumhara | Janath Hau Kacchu Bhala Honihara || Kaha Muni Thatha  Bhayau Andhiaara | Jojana Saththari Nagaru Thumhara ||

 

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Bala Kanda – King Prathapbhanu meets his opponent in the guise of a mendicant

 

Chapter – 152– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Bala Kanda – King Prathapbhanu meets his opponent in the guise of a mendicant

 

The King was all exhausted, tired of hunger and thirst kept searching for water-course to quench thirst, while the search for the water he fainted several times. Finally, he spotted a small hermitage in the middle of dense forest, there lived a King who was in the guise of a hermit, was fled from the battlefield leaving his army men to die in the vicious battle with the army of King Prathapbhanu, ultimately, he won over the Kingdom of the latter. The king who lost in the battle was failed to meet the requirements of King Prathapbhanu, swollen with pride, anger, and jealousy, forced him to flee from the city took shelter in the dense wood, eventually adopted the life of a mendicant and was waiting for an opportunity to settle scores with the King Prathapbhanu. It was the exact moment King Prathapbhanu arrived in the hermitage, the mendicant immediately recognized him as his opponent felt immensely delighted, but King Prathapbhanu who was already tired of the long expedition could not recognize the King in disguise as a mendicant. King Prathapbhanu had the impression that the hermitage is occupied by a noble saint, he reverentially prostrated before him, and introduced him as the Minister of Kingdom of Kaikeya, revealed his harsh experiences in the woods to the mendicant.

 

Kheadh Khinna Chudhdhitha Thrishitha Raja Baji Sametha | Khojath Byakula Saritha  Sarajala Binu Bhayau Achetha ||

Phiratha Bipina Aashrama Yek Dhekha | Thaha Bas Nripathi Kapat Munibesha || Jasu Desa Nripa Leenha Cchadayi | Samara Sena Thaji Gayau Parayi || Samaya Prathapabhanu Kara Jani | Aapana Athi Asamaya Anumani || Gayau Na Griha Man Bahutha Galani | Mila Na  Rajahi Nripa Abhimani || Risa Ura Mari Ranka Jimi Raja | Bipina Basayi Thapas Ke  Saja || Thasu Sameepa Gavana Nripa Keenha| Yaha Prathaparabi Thehi Thab Cheenha || Rau Thrishitha Nahi So Pahichana | Dhekhi Subesha Mahamuni Jana || Uthari Thuraga The Keenha Pranama | Parama Chathura Na Kaheau Nija Nama ||

 

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Bala Kanda – King Prathapbhanu’s hunting expedition left him deserted in the dense forest

 

Chapter – 151– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Bala Kanda – King Prathapbhanu’s hunting expedition left him deserted in the dense forest

 

King Prathapbhanu mounted on the horse speeded close to the huge sized boar resembled the mountain peak with great enthusiasm, he was determined not to leave the prey, proceeded where the giant boar stood majestically. The neighing and snorting of the horse frightened the boar, it dashed to the dense forest, like wind and disappeared from his sight. King Prathapbhanu continued to follow the boar, every time the shot of arrows aimed to hit the object was gone astray, the excitement to chase the boar kept the King away from his men left him all alone in the middle of the dense forest, completely isolated, lost track to get back to his destination, but his steadfastness did not leave him there, he went on and, on the chase, forced the wild boar to take shelter in an unapproachable rock cave. King Prathapbhanu made all efforts to get into the deep cave, but returned with utter disappointment, soon he realized that he has lost track of time, deserted all alone in the dense wood.

 

Neela Maheedhara Sikhara Sama Dhekhi Bisala Barahu | Chapari Chaleau Hatha Suduki Nripa Hanki Na Hoyi Nibahu ||

Aavath Dhekhi Adhika Rava Baji | Chaleau Baraha Marutha Gathi Bhaji || Thuratha Keenha Nripa Sara Sandhana | Mahi Mili Gayau Bilokatha Bana || Thaki Thaki Theera  Maheesa Chalava | Kari Cchala Suara Sareera Bachava || Pragatath Dhoorath Jayi Mriga Bhaga | Risa BasaBhoopa Chaleau Sanga Laga|| Gayau Dhoori Dhana Gahana Barahu | Jaha Nahina Gaja Baji Nibahu || Athi Akela Ban Bipula Kalesu | Thadhapi Na Mriga Maga Thajayi Naresu || Kola Biloki Bhoopa Bada Dheera | Bhagi Paita Giriguha Gambheera || Agama Dhekhi Nripa Athi Pacchithayi | Phireau Mahabana Pareau Bhulayi ||

 

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Bala Kanda – King Prathapbhanu’s hunting expedition

 

Chapter – 150– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Bala Kanda – King Prathapbhanu’s hunting expedition

 

King Prathapbhanu conducted several Yajja and Yaja for the welfare of the Universe and its people sincerely followed the Vedic rites and performance of religious and spiritual rites. He was a noble, wise, learned, contented always performed tasks for the welfare of the Kingdom and his subjects, whatever pious deeds performed were surrendered to the all-pervasive Supreme Lord Vasudeva. One day, King Prathapbhanu conducted a hunting expedition to the dense wood of Vindhyachala, followed by his men. They have enthusiastically moved on horseback all over the dense forest and hunted a large number of animals on their way.  Suddenly, the King noticed a giant wild boar, with sharp tusks that resembled a crescent moon, slipped out of his sight. King Prathapbhanu was determined to chase after the boar, it was huge-sized, growling revealing its teeth, and the large white tusks were frightening, fixed its gaze at the King.

 

Jaha Lagi Kahe Purana Shruthi Yek Yek Sab Jaga | Bar  Sahasra Sahasra Nripa Kiya Sahitha Anuraga ||

Hridhaya Na  Kacchu Phala Anusandhana | Bhoopa Bibeki Parama Sujana || Karayi Je  Dharma Karama Man Bani | Basudeva Arpitha Nripa Gyani || Chadi Bara Baji Bara Yek Raja | Mrigaya Kar Sab Saji Samaja || Bindhyachala Gambeera Ban Jayau | Mriga Puneetha Bahu Baratha Bhayau || Phiratha Bipina Nripa  Dheekha Barahu | Janu Ban Dhureau Sasihi Grasi Rahu || Bada Bidhu Nahi  Samath Mukha Mahi | Manahu Krodha Basa Ugilatha Nahi || Kola Karala Dasana Chabi Gayi | Thanu Bisala Peevara Adhikayi || Dhurudhurath Hatha Aarau Paya | Chakitha Bilokath Kan Udaya ||