The Tale of King Vikram and the Clever Betal

Long ago, in the ancient kingdom of Ujjain, there reigned a wise and valiant king named Vikramaditya, known to all as Vikram. He was a ruler deeply committed to justice and to serving his people. One day, a powerful sage visited Vikram’s court and presented him with a difficult task: he was to fetch a corpse from the nearby forest. But this was no ordinary corpse; it was inhabited by a mischievous spirit called Betal, who would not be easy to capture or control.

Determined to fulfill his duty, Vikram set out for the dense, dark forest every night to capture the Betal. Each time he found the corpse hanging upside down from a banyan tree, and each time, Betal would come to life, perching himself on Vikram’s shoulder. But the Betal had a clever plan to distract Vikram from his task: he would tell a riddle-filled tale, full of moral dilemmas and challenging questions. If Vikram answered correctly, Betal would escape and return to the tree. And so, this game of wit between Vikram and Betal began.

### The Tale of the Three Suitors

One night, as Vikram carried Betal on his shoulder, the spirit began his tale:

“Once in a faraway kingdom, there lived a beautiful and kind princess named Ratnavati. She was adored by all, and three noble suitors sought her hand in marriage. Each suitor was unique in his talents, and each loved the princess deeply, but only one would win her hand. 

The first suitor was a skilled doctor who could heal any wound or illness. The second was an astrologer who could foresee events and warn of dangers. The third was a warrior, strong and brave, who had saved many lives in battle. Ratnavati admired each of them but could not decide whom to marry.

One fateful day, while the princess was out in the forest gathering flowers, she was bitten by a deadly snake. The venom quickly spread through her body, and she fell unconscious. The news of the incident spread, and the three suitors rushed to her aid.

The astrologer, using his foresight, knew exactly where she was and how much time they had left to save her. He led the other two suitors to the spot without delay. The doctor, understanding the effects of the venom, used his knowledge of healing to craft an antidote, reviving the princess from the brink of death. The warrior, meanwhile, kept guard, protecting them from any more dangerous creatures in the wild forest.

Ratnavati was saved, but this situation made her decision even more challenging. Each suitor had proven his worth, and each played a crucial role in saving her life. Who, then, deserved her hand in marriage?”

Betal then asked Vikram, “O King, tell me, in your wisdom, who was the most deserving of the princess’s love and hand? And remember, if you know the answer and do not speak, your head will shatter into pieces!”

### Vikram’s Answer

Vikram pondered the story carefully, then answered, “The doctor is the most deserving of Ratnavati’s hand. The astrologer simply used his gift of foresight, and the warrior’s skills, though valuable, were not essential to her survival in this case. But the doctor’s knowledge and skills were the most crucial, as he brought her back from the brink of death.”

As soon as Vikram gave his answer, Betal let out a loud laugh and disappeared from his shoulder, flying back to the banyan tree. Vikram, undeterred, made his way back to the tree to capture Betal once more.

### The Tale of the Devious Wife and the Loyal Husband

Once again, Vikram hoisted Betal onto his shoulder, and Betal began a new tale.

“There was once a man named Raghav who had a beautiful, charming wife named Madhavi. Raghav adored his wife, but Madhavi was unfaithful and had many lovers in secret. One day, Raghav, deeply in love, overheard her plotting with one of her lovers to get rid of him.

Raghav was heartbroken but did not confront her. Instead, he decided to sacrifice his life so that she could live as she wished. He set off on a journey and reached the edge of a cliff. But just as he was about to jump, a sage appeared and stopped him.

The sage asked Raghav why he wanted to end his life, and Raghav explained everything. The sage advised him not to throw his life away for someone so unworthy. He then gave Raghav a potion that would reveal Madhavi’s true nature to the world.

When Raghav returned home, he offered Madhavi the potion under the pretense that it would make her more beautiful. Unaware of its effects, she drank it, and immediately her true character was revealed to everyone in the village. Shamed, she left the village and Raghav was free to live his life in peace.

Now tell me, O King, was Raghav right in his actions? Did he act justly?”

### Vikram’s Answer

Vikram, thoughtful as always, answered, “Raghav acted justly. Though he loved his wife, he did not let her deceit and betrayal go unpunished. His actions were fair because he gave her the chance to face her own deeds and allowed himself the freedom to live without the burden of her deceit.”

Once again, Betal laughed and escaped to the banyan tree.

### The Final Tale: The Wise Merchant’s Dilemma

On one of the last nights of Vikram’s quest, Betal shared his most challenging tale yet:

“In a distant kingdom, there lived a wise merchant who had two sons. When he was on his deathbed, he entrusted his sons with equal shares of his wealth. However, he also gave them one final instruction: to place his wealth in the safest place they could think of.

The elder son decided to hide his share underground, believing that no one would ever find it. The younger son, however, invested his share in the village and used it to improve people’s lives, helping farmers, artisans, and merchants grow their businesses.

Years passed, and the kingdom faced a terrible drought. People began to struggle, and poverty loomed over the land. The elder son’s wealth remained hidden and untouched, while the younger son’s investments grew, providing food and support for the villagers during their time of need.

When the drought ended, the younger son was hailed as a hero, while the elder son regretted his decision. Now, tell me, O King, which son truly fulfilled the father’s wish?”

### Vikram’s Answer

Vikram replied confidently, “The younger son fulfilled the father’s wish. By investing the wealth in the community, he placed it in the safest hands—the hands of the people who could help it grow and use it in times of need. The elder son may have hidden the money, but in doing so, he failed to serve anyone, including himself.”

Betal nodded, pleased with the answer. “You are indeed wise, O King,” he said. “You have passed my tests with courage and intelligence.”

### Moral of the Tale

The tales of King Vikram and Betal reveal that true wisdom comes from the heart as well as the mind. Courage, compassion, and justice are the marks of a true leader. Vikram’s answers reflect 

that loyalty to truth, fairness, and devotion to the greater good are virtues above all.