Pharaoh Ramses II, while receiving tribute from the princes of distant lands, was captivated by the eldest daughter of the Prince of Bakhtan. He married her, naming her Neferu-Ra, and brought her to Egypt. Years later, a messenger arrived from Bakhtan with dire news: the Queen’s younger sister, Bentresh, had fallen victim to a mysterious illness that no physician could cure. Ramses first sent a wise scribe, but he found the girl possessed by a spirit far beyond his power. In desperation, the Pharaoh appealed to the god Khonsu the Executor of Plans. A majestic statue of the god was dispatched on a year-and-a-half journey to Bakhtan. Upon arrival, Khonsu’s divine presence immediately cast out the spirit. The spirit, acknowledging the god's power, agreed to depart if a great feast was held in its honor. The Prince of Bakhtan was so moved by the miracle that he kept the statue for nearly four years, hoping to retain its protection. Only after a dream of the god flying back to Egypt as a golden hawk did the Prince finally allow the statue to return home to Thebes.
True healing often requires faith and divine intervention when human knowledge reaches its limits.
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Questions about this story
What is the moral of The Princess of Bakhtan?
The story teaches that spiritual ailments require spiritual solutions and that human science has limits. It also highlights the importance of recognizing and honoring the divine forces that provide aid.
Which Egyptian god heals the princess?
The princess is healed by Khonsu, specifically in his form as Khonsu-pa-ir-sekher, or 'Khonsu the Executor of Plans.' He was a moon god associated with healing and the expulsion of evil spirits.
Is the story of the Princess of Bakhtan historically accurate?
While it names Ramses II, the story is found on the Bentresh Stela, which is considered a 'pious fraud' or historical fiction. It was likely written centuries later by priests to promote the temple of Khonsu.
How did the spirit agree to leave Bentresh?
The spirit was not simply banished; it negotiated with the god Khonsu. It agreed to leave the princess peacefully provided that a grand banquet was prepared in its honor by the Prince of Bakhtan.
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