Baal Kaanda
33 - The story of king Pratapabhanu
Chaupais
Description
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. 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. 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. 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.