One time Rajah Pratapbhanu went on a hunting trip, deep in the woods of Vindhyachal. He killed many fine deer there. While hunting, the king saw this wild boar with huge ugly teeth. From afar it looked as if he had the moon between his teeth, or as if the planet Rahu was roaming in the jungle. The moon being so big it was not fitting in his mouth and the wild boar looked very angry. His body was enormous. As the Raja's horse came closer the boar grunted and stood transfixed.
The king enticed the boar, and whipped his horse so that they could chase him. The boar took flight, while the king strung his arrow. Seeing the bow and arrow the boar hid in the bushes. The horse was galloping, while the king was taking aim but the wily boar was appearing and disappearing in front of Pratapbhanu's eyes. The chase went on and soon the king on his horse found that he was lost and all alone. He still did not give up the chase. By now the wild boar had run inside a long narrow cave . Knowing that there was nothing he could do, the king gave up . Now he was very thirsty and he started searching for a stream or a river for some water for him and his horse. By now it was dark and he was desperate.
After circling the woods for a long time Pratapbhanu saw an ashram. A small raja in disguise as a muni, lived there.He had lost his kingdom to Pratapbhanu, had run away from his army and was hiding in that ashram. Thinking that it was a bad time for him and a good time for Raja Pratapbhanu, he did not make peace with the king. With pent up anger he did not go home, but lived in disguise as a sage in the woods. So he recognized Pratapbhanu when he came to him but, the king did not recognize him. The Rajah did not mention who he was, and what his name was . Seeing that he and his horse were thirsty the wily Muni directed them to water.
Pratapbhanu happily bathed and drank the water. He felt fresh, so the fake muni brought the king to his ashram to rest as it was night time. The muni showed his curiosity by asking him, who he was and what he was doing in the woods, not caring for his life as he looked very regal.
The king did not want to reveal his true identity, so he answered that he was the minister of a king named Pratapbhanu. He told him that he got lost while he was hunting and he was lucky that he found the ashram. For sure something good will happen, the Raja said to the Muni. That is why fate had brought him there for his darshan. The king was truly grateful.
The Muni showed his concern by saying, it was nightfall, it was a dense jungle and his city was a long ways away. It was a good idea to stay at the ashram for the night and leave in the morning.
What do you think the king did next? We shall see as usual!!! Till then live in Ram Rajya! JAI HO!
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