King Chandersen’s Dilemma: A Tale of Justice and Compassion

As King Vikramaditya carried Betal on his shoulders through the dark forest, Betal began another story to test the king’s wisdom.

Once, in a far-off kingdom, there was a wise and just king named Chandersen. He was respected by his people and known for his compassion. One day, a learned man named Shriddutt visited the court to seek the king’s counsel. Shriddutt was a renowned scholar, and the king warmly welcomed him. Moved by the man’s wisdom, King Chandersen gifted him a precious necklace as a token of respect and admiration.

After receiving the necklace, Shriddutt departed for his village. However, on his journey home, he was ambushed by a robber who attacked him and stole the necklace. Tragically, Shriddutt lost his life in the assault. When news of this incident reached the king, he was deeply saddened and filled with remorse. He blamed himself, thinking, “If I hadn’t given Shriddutt the necklace, he would still be alive today.”

The king’s soldiers soon captured the robber and brought him to justice. The thief was sentenced to death for his crime. But King Chandersen, unable to bear the weight of guilt, was left emotionally shattered. He couldn’t sleep or eat, and soon he became severely ill, haunted by the thought that his generosity had unintentionally led to Shriddutt’s death.

Seeing the king’s suffering, the queen summoned a learned doctor who was also a scholar, hoping he could heal the king. When the doctor arrived, he observed that the king’s ailment was rooted not in the body, but in his mind. To ease the king’s heart, the doctor suggested, “Your Majesty, if I could bring Shriddutt back to life, would you feel relieved?”

The king, surprised and hopeful, replied, “Of course! If Shriddutt were alive, my guilt would disappear, and I would be at peace.”

The doctor then explained, “While I may not have the power to revive Shriddutt, I can restore the robber’s life. If Shriddutt cannot be brought back, perhaps the robber shouldn’t face punishment either. Shouldn’t they both be given the same fate?”

Hearing this, the king pondered deeply. After much reflection, he decided that if Shriddutt’s life couldn’t be returned, it was unjust to end the robber’s life either. The king ordered that the robber be spared, understanding that true justice lay in forgiveness and compassion.

—

As Betal finished the story, he asked Vikram, “Tell me, O King, why did the king say that?”

Vikram replied, “The king realized that his grief was not just over Shriddutt’s death but over his own unintended role in it. By sparing the robber, he found a way to atone for what he saw as his own indirect guilt. It was an act of compassion that eased his conscience.”

Betal, pleased with Vikram’s wise answer, said, “You are indeed wise, O King, but you have broken your silence. Now I must return to my tree!” And with that, Betal flew away, leaving Vikram to continue his quest.

—

**Moral:** This tale highlights that true justice is tempered with compassion. The king’s decision to spare the robber shows that forgiveness can sometimes be the best path to inner peace, and that understanding the weight of one’s actions can lead to true wisdom.