The Revenge of Nagin

The Revenge of Nagin

Once again, Vikram took Betaal on his shoulders and as usual to pass time Betal started narrating a story. The state of Harshiyat was ruled by king Hargovindas. In his palace a Naag and Nagin (snake couple) resided in the room of his maid servant Ganga. That day, it was the birthday of King Hargovindas's only son Prince Shaktinath. The King, his daughter-in-law Arundhati and her three daughters, all of them were busy celebrating. Every one was giving gifts to the Prince. Even Ganga came to wish Prince Shaktinath along with Naag and Naageshwari. Ganga told Shaktinath that even Naag and Naageshwari had come to bless him. The snake couple gave Shaktinath a flower each. King Hargovindas prayed Naagdevta to bless his daughter-in-law Arundhati for a baby boy. Once, Prince Shaktinath went hunting. Arundhati asked him to take along a servant but he refused. Prince Shaktinath was following a deer in the jungle and a Naag and Nagin were romancing in human form. Both of them were engrossed with love. Just then Shaktinath shot an arrow at the deer but the deer ran away and the arrow pierced the Naag's stomach. Shaktinath came running but they had disappeared and the arrow with blood on it was lying there. Meanwhile the Nagin had registered Shaktinath's image in her mind. Nagin took and oath in front of Naag's dead body that she would take revenge for her husband's death and would fill up her hair partition with the murderer's blood.

Meanwhile, Shaktinath reached home and showed his father the arrow with blood and told him about the mistake he had done. Just then a Nagin appeared in the court in the form of a lady and told the King that the Prince had killed her Naag and that wanted to take revenge by killing him as well. At this, King Hargovindas asked her to come along and he took her aside and explained that Prince Shaktinath had shot the arrow at the deer but by mistake Naag was shot. Nagin was not ready to listen as according to her, whatever the situation was, she had lost her husband. King Hargovindas then told her that Prince Shaktinath had three daughters and his wife Arundhati was expecting the fourth time and it was due just after three or four days. He then told her that this time they were expecting a boy child and so requested her to let the boy be born so that Shaktinath at least saw his face and he would surrender himself to the Nagin. Nagin agreed to his request and Arundhati called for her brother for Raksha bandhan. After tying Rakhi she told her brother that she was tying him rakhi for the last time. When her brother asked her the reason, she told him the story of Nagin and said that if her husband did not remain alive even she would not. Just then Prince Shaktinath came and Arundhati told him to go with her brother to his house so that Nagin did not reach him and once the child was born, she would follow him but Shaktinath refused to go, saying that he was a prince and he had to keep his promise. At this Arundhati’s brother said that he would kill the Nagin but Shaktinath strongly opposed him.

Mean while King Hargovindas once again asked for mercy plea in front of the Nagin but she counter attacked him asking him what he would have done if he was in her place. Arundhati dreamt of the Nagin killing her husband so she screamed and woke up. She took out the knife and went to Ganga’s room to kill the Nagin but Raghu stopped her from doing so. Later, Arundhati gave birth to a baby boy. King Hargovindas was very happy at the birth of his grand son but at the same time very sad as Shaktinath was to die. As soon as the Nagin came to know that Arundhati had given birth to a son she came to the palace to bite Prince Shaktinath. Just as she was passing through a room, she saw the three daughters of Arundhati feeding milk to her three children. She was shocked to see that and realized how innocent the daughters were and went away from there. She then went to the room where the King, Prince and his wife were performing yagya. As soon as Arundhati saw her she screamed and became unconscious. Prince Shaktinath forwarded his hand for the Nagin to bite.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram whether the Nagin would bite Prince Shaktinath or not. Once more he forced him to reply or else he would behead him. Vikram replied that the Nagin would not kill Prince Shaktinath because affection would win over revenge. Though the King kept his crown in front of her, it did not affect her but the moment she saw three young girls feeding her children, it shook her and her motherly affection came up. She realized that by killing the prince she was depriving those girls of their father and she could not do that. As for the promise that she had given her dead husband, she jumped into the fire of the yagya and killed herself so that she did not have to remain alive to fulfill her promise. He then said that a man could kill a man but even a Nagin thought twice before killing a man. Again as Vikram had talked Betaal flew away.

Story of Greedy Apurva

The story of greedy Apurva

Vikram mounted Betal on his shoulders and began to walk towards the sage and Betal started off with another narration. The story was of a very poor man Apurva. Apurva was fed up of his poverty. He had a rich friend named Avinash. Apurva’s daughter Anjali and Avinash’s son Satyakam were childhood friends and were deeply in love. Apurva always thought of various easy ways to become rich one day. One day, Avinash called Apurva and told him that he was going for a pilgrimage and that Satyakam would clear his debts and Apurva should help Satyakam with this. He said that after he was back from the pilgrimage they would think of Anjali and Satyakam’s marriage. Avinash told him that he would give Satyakam’s kundli to Apurva so that he could show it to the Pandit while Avinash returned from the Pilgrimage. Just when Avinash went inside to get the kundli, Apurva took the accounts book and hid it inside his vest. When Avinash came back, Apurva left immediately. At night, Apurva tried forging Avinash’s signature and finally succeeded. He then made a duplicate account book where in he made false accounts in his own men’s names so that Satyakam would pay huge amounts and Apurva would get the entire amount. He kept this account book on Avinash’s desk. When Satyakam opened the book, he asked Apurva whether the signature was that of his father or not. Apurva misguided him telling him it was his father’s signature and Satyakam started paying everyone. All his money was over and still one man was left to be paid one and a half lakh mohurs. Satyakam told Apurva that he had nothing left with him except the house. Apurva advised him to give away the house. Apurva was ready to give away the house. He asked them to come on the full moon night so that he would get the house transferred by the panchayat. Apurva returned home happily with rest of the money lenders. All of them were talking about how Apurva made false signatures and got so much money. All of them were ready to give Apurva his share. Apurva then told the man who was to get the house that he had to give Apurva one fourth part of the house. Mean while, Anjali who had just returned from the temple, heard their conversation and was shocked to hear that her father could do that to his best friend. She straight away went to the King to complain. When she told the King that her father had looted an innocent young man, the king told her that the one who had been cheated should complain and she should not talk against her father. Anjali said that she was ashamed of her father but the King did not take her complain under consideration saying that those who keep quiet do not get justice. Saying this, he asked her to leave. Meanwhile Prince Amrish who was present in the court was fascinated with Anjali and so he sent his man after Anjali.

When Anjali reached Satyakam’s house and told him the truth, he said that her father was a friend of his father and that he could not complain against him because if he did so, even his father would not like it. Meanwhile, Prince Amrish’s men were watching them. Satyakam’s father Avinash was dead and no one had the knowledge of his death but he was present in an invisible form when Anjali and Satyakam were talking. Avinash went in an invisible form to the house of all the three friends of Apurva and got back the money and also the agreement of the house that was transferred in their name. Meanwhile the Prince’s men came and told him that Anjali loved Satyakam. So the Prince ordered them to kill Satyakam. They went to kill him but did not succeed as Satyakam only became unconscious and did not die. Meanwhile, Avinash reached Apurva’s house who was counting money at that time. Apurva was shocked to see Avinash but Avinash lied that as Satyakam paid away all his debt, he was in need of money, he had talked to a few money lenders but he needed one lakh mohurs for one day. Apurva said that he would have to pay interest of one month which was twenty thousand mohurs and Avinash agreed to pay the interest. Apurva gave him one lakh mohurs. He then asked Apurva to come to Prabhu Kutir near kali mandir so that he would settle all his account there. Next day, Apurva reached Prabhu Kutir., Avinash before hand had called three ghosts of the three people whom Apurva knew. As soon as Apurva saw them he asked Avinash why he was dealing with dead men. Avinash replied that when people who are alive betray one’s trust, one has to deal with dead people. He told Apurva that he had cheated on Satyakam and now he would not get back his one lakh mohurs. When he asked the reason for it, Avinash revealed that dead people don’t deal with money and flew away with other three ghosts in the sky. Apurva then went to his friends for help but all of them kicked him out. He wandered here and there like a beggar and did not even have food to eat. Once he got a roti to eat but before he could eat it, a dog came and ate it.

Here, the prince, with the help of a tantrik transformed himself into duplicate Satyakam and went to get married to Anjali. Apurva who was wandering on the streets, on questioning the crowd, came to know that Anjali was getting married to Apurva. He also followed the crowd. Meanwhile Avinash went to Satyakam and woke him up, so even he went to Anjali’s house. Avinash also went to the King and informed him about Prince Amrish’s conspiracy. Apurva also reached the venue of the wedding. Anjali was shocked to see her father. Just then Satyakam reached there. Anjali was confused as to who was the real Satyakam. As per the tantrik’s warning as soon as the original Satyakam came, Amrish who was duplicate Satyakam came back in his original form and the tantrik died. Prince Amrish was shocked to see Satyakam alive. He asked him how he was saved. Satyakam said that with the help of Yoga, he had controlled his soul. Prince Amrish ordered his men to take away Anjali along with them. Just then the King arrived and ordered his soldiers to arrest Prince Amrish for trying to get married to Anjali by fraud.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram what the reason it was that Apurva gave away the money for which he had longed all his life. He threatened Vikram to reply or else he would be beheaded. Vikram replied that life’s blunders made him realize that desire for money in any form was not good, those who do not have money want to have it, those who have it find it difficult to protect it and those who lose money are half dead. The desire for money never allows anyone to live peacefully. Time made him realize that one cannot change one’s destiny by following the wrong path so he gave away the mohurs to Satyakam and got Anjali married to Satyakam. Betaal was very happy to hear his answer but as Vikram spoke Betaal flew away.

The Dreams of Dagdoo

The Dreams of Dagdoo

The story was of a city named Chandanpur. There lived an old woman who had a young son named Dagdoo. The old lady used to do embroidery work and earn her livelihood. Dagdoo was a useless boy who did nothing but only ate, slept and dreamt. It so happened to be that whatever he dreamt turned out to be true. He could see the future and it happened to be that he only used to see the destruction in everyone’s life. Everyone hated him because of the way he said things and they all felt that he had a black tongue. Once he dreamt of a marriage procession being robbed by robbers and the bridegroom being beaten up. He started screaming and woke up. When his mother asked him what happened he told her that he had dreamt of the bride and the bridegroom being looted. His mother fired him for such a bad dream. Just then a lady came to take the sari that she had given for embroidery. Dagdoo asked her whose sari it was. She said that she had made it for her daughter-in-law as her son was going that day to bring his wife. Dagdoo then asked if he was going to ride a horse. When she said yes, he told her to get the doctor ready as her son and daughter-in-law were going to be robbed by the robbers and they would loot everything and beat them up as well. The lady was very angry at Dagdoo and fired him for always dreaming ill about others. Dagdoo’s mother was very upset with him but Dagdoo’s dream turned out to be true. The lady caught hold of him blaming Dagdoo for his black tongue and also said that he was associated with the robbers as he knew what was going to happen. She then took Dagdoo in the centre of the town and asked everyone to beat him up and he was thrashed.

Once more Dagdoo dreamt of Choudhary’s new house being on fire by a curtain that catches fire from the diya just when the Choudhary was hosting a house warming party. Dagdoo got up screaming that it was burnt. Just then Choudhrayin came to his house to give ladoos. When Dagdoo asked her, she said that they had made a new house. Dagdoo told her that her house was going to catch fire and she should not be as happy as she was for the new house as her happiness was not going to last for long. The Choudhrayin got so angry that she left immediately cursing him. Dagdoo’s mother slapped him for this. But Dagdoo’s dream came true and Choudhary’s house was burnt. The Choudhrayin was so angry with Dagdoo that she painted his face black, made him wear a garland of shoes and made him sit on a donkey and go around the town. Later, he was thrown out of the town.

Dagdoo did not understand why the truth was so bitter. He wandered in the jungle here and there. Just as he was tired, he sat under a tree and went off to sleep and as usual started dreaming. He saw a King in his dream, just then the King’s men woke him up. When Dagdoo woke up, he saw the King in front of him. Dagdoo told him about his dream and said that his dreams were always true. He then asked the King to put him in service. The King said that he needed a guard for his palace but for that he would have to keep awake all night. Dagdoo agreed that he would stay up like an owl and give best of his service. Dagdoo got the job of a guard. At night, while he was on duty, just as the lights went off he too went off to sleep thinking that if the King had gone off to sleep even his subjects should do the same. Meanwhile, in the palace, before going to sleep the King asked the queen to wake him up early as he was to go to Shonpur the next day. Here, as soon as Dagdoo went off to sleep, he started dreaming. He saw that an earthquake had struck Shonpur and the city vanished and all the people in Shonpur died. Just as Dagdoo got up, he saw the King getting ready to go out. When he came to know that the king was leaving for Shonpur, he stopped him from going and told him that an earthquake was to come in Shonpur. The King stayed back and next day the King got a message that an earthquake had struck Shonpur and everyone living there had died. The King was happy that he did not go. He immediately called for Dagdoo and asked how he knew about the earthquake. Dagdoo told him about his dream and the King rewarded Dagdoo with a necklace for saving his life. Then he sacked Dagdoo from his job.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram as to what must be the reason that the King rewarded Dagdoo and then threw him out. As usual, he forced Vikram to reply or else he would behead him. Vikram replied that the King was very happy that Dagdoo saved his life and so he rewarded him but threw him out of service because he was sleeping while he was on his duty which is why he dreamt and the King realized that Dagdoo was not loyal towards his duty, so he sacked him. Betaal once again was impressed by Vikram’s intelligence but as he had opened his mouth, Betaal once again flew away.

The Justice of King Satyadev

The justice of King Satyadev

Determined Vikram once again got Betal down and began walking. Betal as usual narrated… Haribhatt was a poor poet. Once he recited a poem in the court of King Satyadev of Vijaynagar. Princess Priyavanda, who was present in the court, liked his poem very much and sent a letter to Haribhatt. Haribhatt replied and both of them fell in love and started exchanging letters. Haribhatt was waiting to get married to Princess Priyavanda so he could be the son-in-law of the King and enjoy all the luxuries of life as he was fed up of living in a small house in poverty. He hid all the letters in a box guarded by a snake beneath the idol of Lord Ganesha. Meanwhile a thief named Kaliya had created havoc by his thefts. He was not being caught by anyone and his terror was increasing. King Satyadev asked his guards in the court as to why the thief was not being caught. Just then poet Haribhatt arrived and told King Satyadev that he wanted to talk to him in private.

Just then King Dharmadev of Magadh desh, the biggest enemy of Satyadev arrived. King Satyadev was surprised on his visit. Dharmadev revealed that he had not come as an enemy or with an army but instead he had come all alone to extend a hand of friendship as he wanted to put an end to the long term enmity between the two states and as a token of friendship he proposed to get his son Prince Indrajeet married to King Satyadev’s daughter Princess Priyavanda. King Satyadev happily accepted the proposal. When Priyavanda came to know about it, she went and talked to her father King Satyadev. She told him that she loved someone else but her father explained to her that he had taken that decision for the betterment of his subjects and being a Princess, even she should sacrifice her love for the people of their state. Priyavanda got ready to sacrifice her love. Priyavanda sent her maid servant to Haribhatt asking him to come and meet her at night in the temple. Haribhatt agreed to come. At night, when Priyavanda set out with her maid servant, Kaliya the thief was sitting in the temple. As soon as he saw Priyavanda coming towards the temple, he hid behind the idol. Just then Haribhatt also came. Priyavanda explained to Haribhatt that her love for him was true and she was marrying someone else for the people of her state and if she refused then a war would be created which could cause loss to her state. She therefore decided to sacrifice her love for the country and asked him to forget and forgive her. At this Haribhatt showed his true colors and told her to get all her ornaments and give it to him or else he would give away all the letters that she had written to him to her husband and father-in-law. Priyavanda was shocked to see Haribhatt blackmailing her. Meanwhile Kaliya was listening to their conversation hiding behind the idol. At midnight, he went to Haribhatt’s house and woke him up calling him a traitor and a man who made business out of love. He then asked him for the letters of Priyavanda. Haribhatt asked him to take it from below Ganesha’s idol. Just as Kaliya went to take it, Haribhatt removed a sword and attacked Kaliya. Both of them fought fiercely. Meanwhile, Priyavanda collected all her ornaments and reached the temple where she was waiting for Haribhatt. Kaliya came and introduced himself to Priyavanda and she got scared but he told her that he had not come as a thief but as a subject of the Princess. He gave her all the letters that she had written to Haribhatt. He also told her that he had killed Haribhatt. Kaliya noticed the King’s men coming and told Priyavanda to hide behind. The King’s men caught Kaliya and took him away. Priyavanda could not sleep that night so she went and told her father the entire story and explained how the one she loved was a traitor and a thief whom she did not know protected her dignity. King Satyadev told her that he would give his statement in the court the next day. Next morning, Kaliya was brought to the court.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram whether King Satyadev would forgive Kaliya as he fought for the dignity of Princess or punish him for his crimes. He forced Vikram to reply. Vikram replied that as a father, King Satyadev would forgive Kaliya as he was of great help to his daughter but more than a father he was a King and Kaliya had committed many thefts, crimes and murders and for that, death sentence was the right punishment. King Satyadev was therefore in a dilemma all night. But finally he gave Kaliya death sentence. Once again Betaal was very happy with Vikram’s judgment but since he opened his mouth to speak, Betaal flew away.

Love story of four Princes

The love story of four Princes

Determined Vikram once again got Betal down and began walking. Betal as usual narrated…one more story. It was a unique love story where four princes named Govind, Ajay, Vijay and Amar all loved the same princess. With a marriage proposal they went to meet the King but the King put forth a condition that he would give them one month and during that one month whoever got the most precious gift for the princess would marry her. All four went in four directions in search of precious gifts. Of these four princes, Amar was handicapped. Firstly, Govind saw a Yogi who could rise above the ground with his spiritual powers. Govind was surprised to see this and went inside to meet the Yogi and the Yogi told him that he knew that he was in love with a girl to which Govind said that love too was a kind of penance. The Yogi told him that he was going to recite for some time and if he succeeded in doing so he would be helpful to Govind. Second prince Ajay took shelter under a tree due to rain. There he met a blind woman who asked him why he was tired, as the path of love was very hard. Ajay told her that he would make a cottage for her to protect her from the rains. The blind woman told him that she couldn’t give him anything in return. Ajay replied that he would get blessings of a mother which was the greatest blessing in the world. Amar on his way through the jungle saw an old man who had fallen down. He helped him get up and asked him what he was looking for in the jungle. The old man replied that he was looking for his lost age. Amar was surprised to hear this and asked why he wanted that. The old man said that he had promised his Guru that he would open a leprosy centre for which he needed power and to gain this power he had to carry out a religious performance for which he needed a young bachelor. Amar offered him to take him for the activity. The old man told him that he had no right over Amar but Amar said that his mother had advised him to always help the old without any self-interest. The fourth prince Vijay saw a man with a flying carpet and stopped him. The man came down with his carpet and Vijay asked for the carpet. He asked Vijay what he would get in return. At this, Vijay offered his diamond ring. The man took the diamond ring and started flying on his carpet. Vijay somehow managed to hang on to the carpet.Both of them started fighting. Just then a snake fell from a tree and was about to bite the man but Vijay caught hold of the snake and threw it down. The man was very happy with Vijay’s gesture as even though he had cheated him, Vijay saved his life. He gave the flying carpet to Vijay.

Meanwhile, Govind killed the man who tried to interrupt the Yogi’s recitation of mantras and helped the Yogi finish his recitation. On finishing the recitation, the Yogi gave Govind a magical mirror in which he could see the princess he loved, live in action when ever he wanted to. Govind was very happy to receive this gift. Here, as Ajay made the cottage for the blind woman she was very happy. She told him that she could help him with her Mantras but for that she needed to see him with her own eyes. Ajay asked her if there was any way to get her eye sight back. She told him that there was one way but it involved a risk of life. Ajay told her that he was ready to take any risk. She therefore told him the way to get her eyesight back. She showed him the tomb of her guru in front of the cottage. Near the tomb was a heap of mud and on top of the heap were hanging swords with weak threads. There was also an earthen pot hanging above it. She told Ajay that he had to take out a Yantra which was kept inside the heap of mud. But as soon as he started digging the mud, water from the pot would start dripping. He had to take out the Yantra within ten seconds or else the pot would be broken and the swords would fall on him killing him and if he succeeded in doing so, she would get her eyesight back. Ajay did so and took out the Yantra within ten seconds and the blind lady got her eyesight back. She gifted Ajay a musical instrument with which he could hear the princess’s voice whenever he remembered her with all his heart. Ajay was very happy to get this gift. Meanwhile, Amar was with the old man helping him out with his religious performance to make medicine. Before starting the process, the old man gave him a rosary to hold and told him that a magician named Bhootnath would try to interrupt but that rosary would help to get rid of him. Just as the old man started his work, Bhootnath came but with the rosary, Amar faced him and just as Bhootnath snatched the rosary from him, he was burnt to ashes. Thus the old man completed his task. The old man drank the medicine and he turned in to a young man. He gave Amar a flower; it was a magical flower with which any kind of disease could be cured. But the condition was that it was for one time use only. All four of them had got a gift each for the princess. They met at a common place and Govind showed them his mirror and said that his gift was the best. Just then he saw that the princess was very sick and the King was sitting besides her and the family physician was inspecting her. With his magical instrument, Ajay heard the physician saying that the princess’s life was in danger. Ajay told them that they should leave immediately. Vijay opened his flying carpet and all four of them reached the princess. They went to the King who told them that the princess was very sick and there was no hope for her survival. Amar gave the flower to the King and asked him to make the princess smell it and she would be cured. The King did so and the princess immediately got well. The King was very happy and asked Amar if he could give that flower to him. Amar said that it was of no use now as it could be used just once. Amar then told King that he was handicapped and not suitable for the princess so he would leave.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram that who out of the four princes, should get the princess. Once more he forced Vikram to reply. Vikram replied that it was true that they saw in the magical mirror that the princess was sick, they heard through the musical instrument about her serious illness and reached her on the flying carpet but it was of no use if Amar did not have the magical flower, they would not have been able to do anything and Amar though being handicapped did not use the flower for himself which he could have easily used. But he sacrificed it for love and used it for the princess. So his sacrifice was the greatest and he rightly deserved the princess. Betaal was very happy to hear this and completed the story saying that all the three princes stopped Amar and told him that he deserved the princess and the princess too asked Amar to marry her and thus they were married. But as usual, as Vikram opened his mouth to speak once again Betaal flew away.

Story of legendary Love

The story of legendary love of Sukesh and legendary duty of King Dharamveer

Vikram once again caught hold of Betaal and carried him on his shoulder. Betaal started telling him a story. It was a love story which said that love can raise a man to heights and love can also put a man in pits. A magician named Abhijeet from Gorakhpur came to meet a rich man named Yashvant Dubey. With his magical stone he turned all the earthen and brass vessels in to gold vessels. Yashvant was very happy and in reward promised him to marry his daughter Nandini to him. Abhijeet gave his magical stone to Yashvant. Just then Nandini’s lover, a woodcutter named Sukesh came and told Yashvant not to give away his jewel like daughter for gold but the magician said that Sukesh could not do anything. Sukesh said that Nandini only belonged to him. At this, the magician with the help of a magical doll captured Nandini in a mirror and only he was able to take her out. Nandini was entrapped in the mirror. He then revealed that Nandini could be taken out only with the help of the magical doll and also that the magician’s life was entrapped in the magical doll. As soon as Sukesh heard this, he snatched the magical doll from him and crushed it and the magician died immediately. With this, even the magical stone which was with Yashvant vanished. Just as the magician fell down dead, a book of magical tricks fell from his jacket and Sukesh ran home with the book.

He started reading the book. It said that a picture could be made live if one followed the steps written in the book within eight days. First step was to go to the west of Gorakhpur, one mile into a cave. Sukesh went in the cave which was being guarded by a python and the moment he entered, the python entangled him. With great difficulty, he was able to relieve himself. When he went further down he had to face fire. He chanted a mantra and the fire went off. He went further inside the cave. There he met a beautiful lady who gave him Somras (juice of the moon planet) to drink as he was tired. The moment he drank that, he started feeling love for her. Sukesh was confused as to why he was getting that feeling because he loved Nandini with all his heart and could not love anyone else. The lady told him that if he loved her, she would get him the Kailash flower which he had come to get for Nandini. Sukesh replied that his heart and soul belonged to Nandini and if he loved the lady, he would not need the flower but he could not forget his soul and worship body. The lady then told him that she realized that his love for Nandini was true and got him the Kailash flower. Sukesh went back with the flower and with the help of it got Nandini out of the mirror. Nandini and Sukesh left for Sukesh’s house. Sukesh told her that he would go to the city to get permission from his parents for marriage.

King Dharamveer who was a patriot had sacrificed four of his sons for the country and had lost his hand while fighting for the country, was confronted by a Sage who told him that it was his lucky day and he would meet a beautiful lady that day. If he married that lady with her consent, a son would be born who would grow up and fight for him and get back all his provinces that he had lost in war. King Dharamveer went to the temple. Coincidentally Nandini was there too. When King Dharamveer saw her, he told her that he wanted to talk to her and that he would visit her house after a day. Nandini walked further on and was stopped by the richest man of the country. He said that he wanted to meet her personally and talk, Nandini told him to meet her the day after, just five seconds after the sun set. When he asked why they could not meet the next day, she said that Sukesh was to come the next day. Saying this, she walked ahead. On the way the minister saw her and stopped her. He expressed his wish to meet her. She asked him to come the day after just six seconds after the sun set and she refused to meet the next day as Sukesh was to come. She walked further on. She was stopped by the chief minister who told her to meet him. She called him too the day after, just seven seconds after the sunset and once again refused to meet the next day as Sukesh was to come.

All three of them were jealous of Sukesh and each one of them planned to kill him. The rich man sent his men to kill him but Sukesh fought bravely and killed them instead. Further, the minister’s men tried to kill him with the help of a snake but he was saved again. Further the chief minister sent a man who knew black magic. With his magic, he tied Sukesh with chains but Sukesh was saved by a saint. Meanwhile, in the evening, King Dharamveer came to meet Nandini. As he was talking to her, somebody knocked the door. Nandini asked the King to hide inside and as she opened the door, she saw the rich man standing so she asked him to come inside. He told her that he had fallen in love with her beauty and wanted to marry her. Again there was a knock on the door. Nandini asked the rich man to hide. Similarly the minister came and told her that he was fed up of his wife and wanted to marry her. Once again some one knocked. Nandini asked him to hide too. The chief minister came and proposed her to marry him. King Dharamveer was listening to all this. Once again there was a knock.

This time, it was Sukesh. Nandini told him that the rich man wanted to marry her and he was inside the house. Sukesh told her that she should have complained to the minister. Nandini replied that the minister himself was there and proposed to her. At this, Sukesh said that she should have complained to the chief minister then but Nandini told him that the chief minister was also there. Sukesh told her that they should go and complain to the King about it. King Dharamveer, who heard this, came out and told his men that he was not after Nandini out of lust but he was ashamed of his men and sent them for exile. He told Nandini and Sukesh that if he knew that they loved each other so much he would never have come in between. Just then the sage manifested and told Nandini that if she willingly married King Dharamveer, the son born to them would be very brave and bring back everything that was lost by the King and thereby do well for the country. Sukesh then said that though he loved Nandini, his love for the country always had an upper hand and he could sacrifice anything for his country if it was for the betterment of it.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram who Nandini would marry, Sukesh or King Dharamveer. As usual he forced Vikram to reply or else he would behead him. Vikram replied that a man has three prime duties in life, first one towards parents, second more important towards a Guru (teacher) and third and the most important towards one’s country. So Nandini would sacrifice her love and accept King Dharamveer for the betterment of country. Betaal told Vikram that he had taken the right decision but as he had spoken, Betaal flew away.

Realization of Prince Anandsen

The realization of Prince Anandsen

With firm determination Vikram carried Betal again and Betal started off with another story. The story was of the Prince of Chandrapur , Anandsen who had a passion for hunting. Once while he was hunting in the jungle, due to the storm he was separated from his friends and could not see anything. He fell down from the horse and banged his head against a stone. His horse ran away and he became unconscious. Later, few soldiers saw him and brought him to consciousness and told him that they were the soldiers of King Dharmaveer of Avantipur and that they were making him captive for the offence of crossing the border. Anandsen tried to say something but the soldiers told him to say whatever he wanted in the court of King Dharmaveer. When he was presented before King Dharmaveer, he became happy to know that Anandsen was the son of his best friend Sumeetsen. He told Anandsen to live in the palace for as much time as he wanted and also apologized for his soldiers’ behaviour. Anandsen told him not to bother as the soldiers were doing their duty. In fact they had saved his life and so he was thankful to them. Anandsen then asked permission to leave but King Dharmaveer forced him to stay back for a few more days. He also told Anandsen that he would send a messenger to his state to inform his parents about his wellbeing. Anandsen happily enjoyed the hospitality of Dharmaveer. One day, while he was lying down, he heard a sweet voice singing prayers to the Devi. He went to the temple to see who was singing. After the prayers were over, King Dharamveer introduced her to Anandsen saying that she was his daughter named Roopvati. Anandsen fell in love with her and always dreamt of Roopvati dancing in front of him. Once he asked a servant to get the Veena for him to play. The servants informed him that even princess Roopvati loved playing the Veena.

He went to Princess Roopvati who was playing the Veena and told her that prince Anandsen wanted the Veena. Roopvati happily gave the Veena. When Anandsen started playing it, Roopvati came and sat beside to listen. When Anandsen stopped playing, he was shocked to see Roopvati there. Roopvati told him to make her his student and teach her to play the Veena. Anandsen said that he wanted to marry her. Both of them loved each other. Later, Anandsen asked King Dharamveer for his permission to marry Roopvati. King Dharamveer told him that he would love to accept his proposal but could not as he had already fixed Roopvati’s marriage with the Prince of Sundernagar. When Roopvati came to know about this she told Anandsen that she could not live without him. So Anandsen asked her if she was ready to elope. She replied that she was ready to go anywhere with him. Anandsen asked her if she knew about any horse seller. Roopvati told him to go to Haribaba, the horse merchant. Anandsen told Roopvati to meet him at Shahibaug and he would come there with the horse and from there they would run away. When Anandsen went to Haribaba, he showed him two horses, one young and the other old. When he asked the price, Haribaba said that the younger one was for fifty mohurs and the elder one was for hundred mohurs. Anandsen was surprised and asked him as to why it was so. Haribaba replied that if the old horse starts running it will only stop when he wanted but the young horse would stop wherever he saw water because he was scared of water and that his great grand mother was scared of water too and it passed on from his grand mother to his mother and now him. Anandsen kept thinking and then gave a hundred mohurs to Haribaba and went straight to his state without taking Roopvati and Roopvati kept waiting for him.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram why Anandsen did not take Roopvati with him. As usual he forced Vikram to answer or else he would behead him. Vikram replied that when Anandsen heard the story of the young horse, he deeply thought that he was taking away somebody’s daughter and putting a father’s respectability at stake. Tomorrow, when he would be married and if his daughter did the same, he would not be able to bear it. So without maligning King Dharamveer’s honor and respectability he went away from there. Betaal was pleased with Vikram’s answer but as he had opened his mouth, Betaal once again flew away.

Gambling temptation of Gopu

The Gambling temptation of Gopu

Vikram started walking again desperately fast after pulling Betal down and Betal started another story to break his silence. In a city named Illapur lived a rich man who had no children. After lots of worship and pooja in his old age a son was born to him who was named Gopu. As the son was born after so many years of difficulties his parents pampered him a lot and so Gopu became spoilt child. They gave him whatever he asked for. While going to school Gopu used to gamble and also lie if anyone complained but his mother used to cover up and favor Gopu.

If anytime his father used to say anything to Gopu, his mother used to stop him by shouting at him. Soon Gopu grew up in to a young man. Once, his father gave him a hundred gold mohurs and asked him to go to the market of Anantpur to buy grains for his business. He told him that the previous year they used to sell one sack of grain for one mohur in the market and since that year the yield of crop had been good so they should get a fair deal. Gopu promised his father that he would get such good business that his father would be proud of him. Gopu left and instead of going to the market he went to gamble. His associates were very happy to see him. They tempted him to gamble more and more and Gopu lost everything he had. He went to his mother and emotionally blackmailed her and once again she covered up for him and gave him two hundred mohurs to give to his father so that his father would think that Gopu had earned them.

Gopu swore by his mother that he would never gamble again in his life. But as it’s said that gamblers and drunkards never say the truth, Gopu once again went to gamble with those two hundred mohurs. After a few months, both his parents died. Now Gopu had full liberty and there was no one to stop him from anything. He made his house a gambling place and he was gambling all the time. He went on losing everything, his father’s money, mother’s jewelry, property and the house too. He reached to such a stage that due to gambling he was thrown out of his own house. He was homeless and roamed about on the streets and kept thinking that if he would get some money he would gamble and get back his lost wealth and property. Suddenly he remembered that one of his father’s friends named Hemagupt lived in Chandrapur who was very rich. Gopu went to his house and Hemagupt welcomed him and told him to consider him as his father since his father was no more. Gopu told him a false story that after his father’s death he had set out for an island with all the wealth for business but in the middle of the sea a cyclone came and his ship turned upside down which is why he lost everything. Hemagupt believed him and consoled him. Just then Hemagupt’s daughter Ratna came who was wearing lots of jewelry. Gopu kept starring at her jewelry. Hemagupt introduced her to Gopu. Hemagupt liked Gopu very much and so he got his daughter Ratna married to him. After their marriage when Gopu and Ratna left for their house, Gopu was worried since he didn’t know where to take Ratna as he did not have a house. Also, he did not want his wife but only her jewelry so he thought of a plan. While they were passing by the jungle, he asked Ratna to remove all her jewelry and give it to him on the pretext of fear of the robbers. Ratna agreed to it. He made her sit on the parapet of a well and as soon as she removed her jewelry, he pushed her in the well. He then straight away went to gamble. Meanwhile, Ratna screamed for help. A man, who was passing by, heard her cry for help and pulled her out of the well. Ratna then reached her parents house. Here, Gopu once again lost everything in gambling. Ratna made up a false story and told her parents that on their way a few robbers came and robbed her of her jewelry, pushed her in the well and took away Gopu with them. A passerby man saved her and brought her home. Meanwhile after losing everything, Gopu was roaming around here and there. Once again he thought of a plan to get money and jewelry. He thought of going to his in-laws house and telling them that their daughter had given birth to their grandchild and so out of happiness they would give lots of money and jewelry. Just as he reached there, he knocked on the door and to his surprise, Ratna opened the door. Ratna told him the story that she had told her parents and asked Gopu to stand by the same.

Hemagupt and his wife were very happy to see their son-in-law. He told Gopu not to bother about the jewelry that was stolen as they had lots of it and would give their daughter a lot more. While going off to sleep, Ratna removed her jewelry and kept it aside. Once again Gopu was tempted to steal the jewelry. So he got up slowly and took her jewelry and just as he was about to leave, Ratna got up. Gopu throttled her.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram whether Ratna did the right thing by concealing her husband’s crime just to be faithful to her husband and telling a false story to her parents, there by hiding the truth from them or was she wrong. Vikram replied that when Gopu had pushed Ratna into the well, it was then she should have understood that he loved her jewelry and not her. Ratna was foolish to save Gopu because one should never trust gamblers and liars. A person who takes a slap unknowingly is fine but if a person takes it the second time knowingly, then he is a fool and she paid for her foolishness by giving away her life. Betaal once again as per his terms flew away as Vikram opened his mouth.

Story of Rajkumar and the Bird

The story of Rajkumar and the bird

As usual, Vikram caught hold of Betaal and started walking with Betaal on his shoulders and Betaal narrated one more story. This story was of a Prince named Jeemutvahan. Once while roaming in the garden, he saw a dry tree with no fruits or green leaves. Jeemutvahan asked the gardener as to why the tree was so barren. He replied that it was like that since many years. The gardener asked him if he could cut the tree but Jeemutvahan refused saying that hence forward he would personally take care of the tree right from watering to manuring it. Jeemutvahan took very good care of the tree unaware of the fact that he was nurturing a Kalpavriksha (divine tree which gives whatever one asks for) and it grew into a big green tree.

One day, while he was standing in front of the Kalpavriksha, the tree told him that it was very happy with him and wanted to reward him. Kalpavriksha granted him a wish. Jeemutvahan said that as he was a Prince, he had everything in life but if it really wanted to give something, it should give something for all his subjects so that they live happily. Kalpavriksha gave him lots of coins and asked him to distribute it amongst his subjects; also it said that it was one’s greatness to think about other’s happiness than one’s own. Jeemutvahan distributed those coins amongst his subjects and while he was doing so, a lady of Naag tribe refused to take it saying that she did not need the money. When Jeemutvahan asked her the reason for refusal she explained to him that the Naag tribe dwelled in the valley of Manalan hills and death in the form of a bird came from the sky and one person daily was being sacrificed. She told him that if he really wanted to do something, he should protect them from the bird. Jeemutvahan was shocked to hear this and promised the lady that he would personally visit Manalan valley. He went to Manalan valley where he was welcomed by the Naag Princess. She asked him to stay back for a day but Jeemutvahan refused saying that if he stayed back for one day, one more person would die and asked her to wait for him as he would stay back on his return. When he reached the place, he saw a woman crying because it was her son Shankhchur’s turn that day to be given away to the wild bird. Jeemutvahan introduced himself and told her that he would go instead of Shankhchur.

Meanwhile, Shankhchur had gone to the temple his mother ran to tell him about Jeemutvahan but Shankhchur refused to let Jeemutvahan go in his place. Jeemutvahan was waiting for the bird. Just as the wild bird came, Shankhchur came running and asked Jeemutvahan to stay away. Jeemutvahan told him that he would fight with the bird but Shankhchur told him that the bird was very powerful and if he fought with it, the Naag tribe would have to bear the consequences. Just then the bird asked Jeemutvahan why he wanted to sacrifice his life. Jeemutvahan answered that being a prince, it was his duty to protect the lives of his subjects and it was humanity to protect other’s lives. The wild bird was very pleased with him and told him so. At this Jeemutvahan requested him that if it really was pleased with him it should stop harassing the innocent Naag people. But the bird questioned him where he would get its food from so Jeemutvahan promised that he would take care of its food and treat him as his guest. The bird then went away without taking anyone and the Naag people were very happy.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram who amongst the two was more courageous and brave, Jeemutvahan or Shankhchur. He forced Vikram to reply or else he would die. Vikram replied that as Jeemutvahan was the prince, it was his religion and duty to take care of the citizens so whatever Jeemutvahan did was his duty but Shankhchur was a real brave man because in spite of knowing that Jeemutvahan was ready to go in his place as food for the bird, he went and asked the bird to take him away instead of Jeemutvahan. He could have easily stayed back but he did not do so. Betaal was very happy to hear this. He completed the story saying that Jeemutvahan got married to the Naag Princess, took the bird along with him in the palace and asked Kalpavriksha to take care of the food of the bird as it was his guest. But as per Betaal’s condition, Vikram was not to open his mouth and now that he did so, Betaal flew away.

The Penance of Gunkar

The unsuccessful penance of Gunkar

Once again Vikram caught hold of Betaal and started walking carrying him on his shoulders. As usual, to pass their time Betaal started with another story. In the city of Ujjain, lived a poor Brahmin who had a son named Gunkar. Gunkar had a bad habit of stealing from his house and gambling. As usual, one night he stole money from his father’s cupboard and set out for gambling. Meanwhile, the moneylender’s men came to the Brahmin’s house for the money as he had promised them to repay on the full moon night. The Brahmin asked them to wait as he was ready with the money. Just as he picked up his pillow to take the keys, he was shocked as the keys were not there. He realized that Gunkar had taken away his money. The moneylender’s men did not believe him and thought that he was playing the fool so they caught hold of him and took him away. The moneylender thrashed him very badly. He then made the Brahmin his captive and ordered his men to go and tell his family members that if they wanted him to be released, they should deposit all the money and then take him away. Gunkar’s mother gave away all her jewelry and got her husband released. Meanwhile, Gunkar was still in the gambling house. When he went home, his father was very angry and threw him out of the house. Gunkar left the house and the city also. He kept walking without knowing where to go. He realized how difficult it was to survive as there was no love, mercy or favor in this society. He wandered here and there hungry and thirsty. He fell down under a tree and a Saint who was passing by picked him up and took him to the cave where he resided. Gunkar told him that he was very hungry and he wanted to eat.

The Saint asked him what he wanted to eat. Gunkar replied that he would eat anything given to him. The Saint got a betel leaf with magic and asked him to eat it. As soon as Gunkar ate that, his stomach was full. Later, the Saint asked him to rest inside. As soon as he went inside, he was shocked to see a palace and a beautiful woman stood there. When Gunkar asked her who she was, she said that she was the power of Baba (Saint) and he had asked her to take special care of Gunkar. Gunkar then went back to Baba and asked him what was going on. Baba replied that these were his supernatural powers and he should not question him further. Gunkar told Baba that he would like to stay there forever but Baba refused saying that he could stay there as a guest for only eight days. He lived a luxurious life for eight days. After this, Baba came and asked him to leave. Gunkar requested Baba to teach him the mantras with which he acquired the supernatural powers. Baba refused saying it was very difficult to attain that, but Gunkar was adamant on achieving it. Baba agreed to it but said that he would have to do it in two steps, the first step being meditation, mantras and penance. Gunkar agreed and started his penance. Gunkar completed the first step and came back to Baba. Baba was very happy with him and asked him to go towards the next step. But Gunkar said that before going for the second step, he wanted to go and see his family. Baba agreed and with his powers Baba got gifts for his family members and money for his father. Gunkar left for his town. His parents were happy to see him and so he stayed there for few days and later returned to Baba. He completed the second step of his penance and came back to Baba. He was very happy that he could get anything he wanted now. Baba asked him to get food for him. Gunkar called for food, but nothing came. He was surprised and asked Baba why he did not get the super natural powers.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram why Gunkar could not attain super natural powers in spite of completing all the steps of austerity and penance. Once more he forced Vikram to reply. Vikram replied that Gunkar could not acquire those powers because he went to see his family mid way. To acquire a goal one should concentrate and not let his mind deviate to any other matters. Gunkar got distracted because of this and so could not achieve his goal. Betaal once again succeeded in forcing Vikram to speak up and he flew away.

Mahamantri and King Vallabh

Dilemma of Mahamantri and King Vallabh

Betal adored Vikram’s courage as yet again in the dark night he came to get him. As usual, Betal started another story. This story was of King Vallabh of Punepur. The King was very wise, brave and intelligent but the only problem with him was that he used to spend a lot of money from the state treasure. Once two musicians came and played the Sitar for the King. King Vallabh was very happy and asked his minister to fill up their Sitars with gold coins. Later, a painter came with his paintings to gift the King. King Vallabh was so overwhelmed to see these paintings that he ordered his minister to weigh the painter and gift him gold coins equal to his weight. The minister warned the King that at that rate the state treasure would get over very soon but the King did not listen to him. Later in the day, while the King was roaming around in the garden, he liked the place so much that he announced to build a palace there. Once more the minister warned him but King Vallabh got angry with him saying that he should not instruct him every now and then and that he was the King and not his servant. The minister kept quiet at this. The minister was very much worried for the state and so could not sleep at night. When his wife asked him about what was he so worried about, he said that being the minister of the state it was his duty to see that the money is used in the right way or else he should quit his post. His wife suggested him to take a leave for few days and go for a pilgrimage with her. The minister agreed and both of them started for their pilgrimage. On their way they sat down to have food besides a lake. Just as they started eating an island came out of the lake and a girl was sitting on it playing the flute. The minister and his wife were shocked to see this.

The minister immediately thought of informing the King as this was something unusual and it was his duty as a minister to inform the King about anything that happened in the state. He went and told the King Vallabh and he was surprised and expressed his wish to see it with his own eyes. The minister asked him to take soldiers along with him but the King refused and he went all alone. Just as he reached there, once again the island came out and the same girl was playing the flute. As soon as the girl saw him, she asked him to go away. When Vallabh asked who she was, she said that she was the daughter of King Gandharva. A demon harassed the Gandharvas and her father had lost the battle against the demon. Since then on, on every new moon day they had to give gifts to the demon and keep it on that magical island. Sometimes it was clothes, sometimes food and sometimes slaves. She refused to get married to the man of her father’s choice and so her father was very angry with her and sent her as the food for the demon. That is why she asked Vallabh to go away from there as the demon would be come. But Vallabh refused saying that as a King he had to be brave and have respect for ladies and so he could not leave her alone and go away. He promised the girl that he would fight with the demon. The girl said that if he won over the demon, she would dedicate the rest of her life to him. Just as the demon came, King Vallabh shot an arrow at him and the demon fell down. Vallabh and the girl were about to run away when the demon came in front of them. Just when the demon was about to kill King Vallabh he was shot dead by the arrows of the soldiers who had come secretly with the minister. King Vallabh was very pleased with the minister. They came back and King Vallabh announced his marriage with the Gandharva princess. He ordered to call for musicians, poets, painters and entertainers from all over the country and give them the highest remuneration from the state’s treasure. He also ordered that the messengers must leave the next day to invite Kings from nearby states, each and every person of the state should attend the ceremony and the whole city should be decorated and whatever money was required should be taken from the state treasure. The minister was very much worried on hearing this and died in the court itself.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram that the minister should be happy with the news of the King’s marriage, instead he was shocked and lost is life. Why did that happen? He pestered Vikram to reply or else he would behead him. Vikram replied that the minister was worried about the state’s treasure. The way King Vallabh had made the announcement, as a minister, if he followed that, the treasure would be empty and if he did not follow King Vallabh’s instructions, the King would loose respect in the society. Thus the minister was in a dilemma and could not take any decision. As a minister, it was his duty to think for the state first. Thus due to the pressure he lost his life. Betaal was very much pleased with his answer and further ended the story saying that King Vallabh realized his mistake, that all his life the minister tried to explain that the state’s treasure was for the benefit and welfare of its subjects and not for the luxury and personal pleasure of the King but he never understood and only after the minister’s death he realized so and he got married in a sober way. Saying this Betaal made Vikram realize his mistake of speaking and flew away.

Lover of Princess Chandraprabha

The lover of Princess Chandraprabha

Vikram loaded Betal on his back again and Betal started with an interesting story. Princess Chandraprabha of a city named Kusumavati fell in love with Manukumar. Manukumar wanted to get married to Chandraprabha but it was impossible as Chandraprabha’s father would never allow her to marry an ordinary man as he wanted his daughter to marry a prince. Chandraprabha asked Manu to forget her because if the King came to know about their affair, Manu would get a death penalty, so she forced him to go away. On his way to the jungle, Manu saw a magician’s team being attacked by robbers. Manu fought with the robbers and scared them away. He saved the life of the magician’s son. The magician was very pleased with Manu for saving his son’s life and told Manu to ask for anything in reward. Manu told the magician that he loved princess Chandraprabha and wanted to be with her in her palace but in such a way that no body found out about it. The magician gave him a magical ring which if worn on the right hand’s finger would turn him into a woman and on wearing it on the left hand’s finger, would turn him into his original form. Manu was very happy to get the ring. Later, the magician disguised himself to a Brahmin, Manukumar transformed himself into a woman and with the magician’s son all three went to the King’s court. When the King asked what he could do for them, the magician introduced Manu as his would be daughter-in-law and told the King that he and his son were going for a pilgrimage and he wanted the King to allow his would be daughter-in-law to stay in the palace till they returned. The King agreed and said that she could stay with his daughter Chandraprabha. Thus Manu started living with Chandraprabha in her palace as her friend named Manukumari. Chandraprabha used to be depressed all the time so Manukumar once revealed his truth to her. Chandraprabha was very happy. This way, when no one used to be around, Manu used to transform himself into his original form but when someone was around, he used to remain a girl. Meanwhile, the minister’s son fell in love with Manukumari and once proposed her for marriage but was rejected. After a few days, the King asked his minister why he was so sad. The minister replied that his son was in love with Manukumari and on being rejected by her he had locked himself up in a room and was not eating food since eight days and if Manukumari did not marry him, he would consume poison and end his life. The King asked him not to worry and promised to get Manukumari married to his son. Meanwhile Manukumari had injured her left hand’s finger and Chandraprabha applied medicine on the finger. Just then the King came and declared that he was getting Manukumari married to the minister’s son. When Manukumari refused, the King told her that it was his order and that had to be obeyed. Manukumari tried to change her ring to the left hand but she could not wear the ring as her finger was swollen. The King’s men came and took away Manukumari. Chandraprabha was very sad as Manukumari was forced to marry the minister’s son.

The magician Brahmin came back and got very angry with the King for getting Manukumari married to the minister’s son as Manukumari was his would be daughter-in-law. He turned into a magician and with his magic, created fire behind the king’s throne and made the throne fly along with the king. The King pleaded him to bring him down but the magician laid the condition of doing do only if he brought back Manukumari to him. At this the King said that Manukumari had already left but he could get his daughter Chandraprabha married to his son Shashi. The magician was happy to hear this. Meanwhile, Manukumari got this news and she once again tried to change her ring to the left hand and succeeded. She transformed to Manukumar and the minister’s son was shocked to see him. He asked him who he was but he ran away from there. Manukumar reached the wedding of Chandraprabha and Shashi and declared that Chandraprabha was his love and only he could marry him.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram whose wife Chandraprabha was, Manukumar with whom she lived for so many days in the palace or Shashi with whom she was duly married. Betaal once again forced Vikram to reply or else he would be beheaded. Vikram replied that Chandraprabha was Shashi’s wife as Manukumar loved her too much but she was ceremoniously married to Shashi and so she was Shashi’s wife. Betaal once again got a chance to fly away as Vikram opened his mouth and so he flew away.

Love is Eternal

Love is Eternal

With firm determination Vikram carried Betal again and Betal began with another narration. On the banks of river Yamuna, in a town lived a Brahmin named Keshav who earned his living by performing pooja in temples. One day a foreigner named Haridutt visited the temple. When Keshav Pandit asked him where he was from, he said that he had been roaming about from one state to another. Keshav then asked him why he was not staying at one place. He replied that he would go where ever his destiny took him. Keshav then said that one only sticks to a place when there is either of the three reasons, that is faith, duty or love. And he would settle when one of these reasons came his way. Just then Keshav’s daughter Madhumalati came to call her father for lunch. As soon as Haridutt saw her, he fell in love with her. He expressed to Keshav, his wish to get married to Madhumalati. Meanwhile at Keshav Pandit’s house, a businessman had come with a proposal to get Madhumalati married to his son Waman since Waman had decided to marry Madhumalati. Keshav’s wife accepted the proposal and promised them that Madhumalati would be married to Waman. Meanwhile, Madhumalati’s brother went to see his Guruji. His friend Madhusudan was also sitting there. Guruji told Madhumalati’s brother that Madhusudan wanted to marry Madhumalati and asked him to talk to his parents about it. Her brother immediately accepted the proposal and on behalf of his parents he promised to get his sister married to Madhusudan.

Later, all three- father, mother and brother argued trying to defend their promises and each one of them wanted Madhumalati to get married to their choice. While this argument was going on at Keshav Pandit’s house, Haridutt, Waman and Madhusudan dreamt of getting married to Madhumalati. Just then something shocking happened. Madhumalati was bitten by a snake. She turned blue with poison. Two snake charmers tried to take out the poison but in vain. Haridutt, Waman and Madhusudan had also reached there but Madhumalati died. After her death, Madhusudan said that he could not live in the same place so he went away and lived a life with asceticism. Waman took the ashes of Madhumalati’s dead body and roamed around in jungles. Haridutt could not part with her ashes so he kept it with him and built a hut and live his life in the same vicinity. All three went their own ways. While Madhusudan was travelling, he stopped at a scholar’s house. He had food there. He praised the food. The scholar said that his daughter had made that food for her husband. Just then a few men came with her husband’s dead body. The scholar could not see his daughter lamenting so he brought back his son-in-law to life with the help of Sanjeevani Vidya. That night, Madhusudan stole the book of Sanjeevani Vidya and went to the crematorium where Haridutt was living. Meanwhile Waman had also come there. Madhusudan showed them the book and told them to give it a try. Madhumalati came back to life and then again all three wanted to get married to Madhumalati.

After this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram as to who should Madhumalati get married to, Madhusudan who brought her back to life, Waman who kept her ashes with him or Haridutt who built a hut in the crematorium and lived there along with her ashes. Once more Betaal forced Vikram to reply or else he would break his head into pieces. Vikram replied that Madhumalati should get married to Haridutt because Madhusudan gave her life which is given by parents and so he acted as her father, Waman went with her ash which is done by a son so he performed the duty of a son and Haridutt lived in the crematorium like a true lover and husband. Thus, Madhumalati got married to Haridutt. Betaal was happy with his intelligent answer but once more Vikram made the mistake of speaking and Betaal flew away.

The giant and the brave boy

The giant and the brave boy

Getting Betal down on his shoulders once again Vikram started walking and Betal started another narration. King Roopdutt of Chitrakoot once went to a jungle where he saw a beautiful girl. Just as Roopdutt was about to talk to her, she got scared and ran away. Roopdutt followed her to her house and asked her father to get her married to him. The poor man agreed and they were married. After the wedding, when Roopdutt left for Chitrakoot with his wife, on the way both of them were thirsty. While searching for water, they reached a cave. Not realizing that a giant was inside the cave, they went inside. The giant caught hold of Roopdutt and wanted to eat him up. Roopdutt tried hard to escape. The giant then caught hold of his wife, Roopdutt then pleaded him to let her go and that he would give anything he wanted instead. The giant said that he wanted a human being as food. Roopdutt promised him to send a human being for his food. The giant asked him to send it within seven days or else he would go to Chitrakoot and eat both of them. Roopdutt reached his palace but was very much worried for the giant’s food. He asked his minister to find out one person who would be ready to go to the giant.

But the minister said that no one would be ready to sacrifice his life, but someone who was needy could be sent by giving him lots of money. Roopdutt ordered him to take as much money and wealth from the state’s treasure and tempt somebody with the money to go to the giant. The minister took large amounts of gems and jewelry and a diamond studded golden statue and announced all over the city that whoever would be ready to go to the giant would get all that as a reward. But no one was ready as everyone thought that there was no use of gems and jewelry after one dies. In the city lived a poor man with five kids. Everyday he used to beg for food for his children but the alms he got were never enough to fill their stomach. When the poor man saw the golden statue, he came home and told the story of the giant. His eldest son got ready to go the giant. The son dreamt of his younger brothers living luxurious lives. The man took his son to the King. The queen put a tilak on his forehead and the boy then laughed loudly. Roopdutt sent two of his soldiers along with the boy. When they reached the cave, the boy fought bravely with the giant and the giant was killed.

Betaal then stopped and asked Vikram as to why the boy laughed before going to the giant. As usual he forced Vikram to reply. Vikram replied that the boy laughed for two reasons, first one was that the King who was supposed to be protecting him from the giant was sacrificing him and sending him to die and the second one was that his parents who should be nurturing him, had sold him for money. He realized that one has to fight his own battle and this inspired him to fight with the giant. Betaal was overwhelmed to hear this but as per his condition, as Vikram had spoken, Betaal once again flew away.

Who is the real father?

Who is the real father?

Vikram captured Betal and started walking and Betal started a fresh story. The story was of a widow named Bhagwati and her young daughter Dhanwati who were wandering town to town. One night, while they were passing through a lane, Dhanwati felt very thirsty. They saw a man tied with chains and a soldier was sitting under the tree. Bhagwati went and asked him if he had some water to drink. The soldier replied that in the corner of the lane was lying a pot full of water. At this, the man who was chained asked her to get some water for him too. Bhagwati asked the soldier why the man was tied up. He said that he was a famous thief and he was to be hanged in the morning. Bhagwati got water for him and asked Dhanwati to give it to him. Just after Dhanwati gave him water, the thief asked Bhagwati if her daughter was married. When she said she was unmarried, he proposed to her for marriage. Bhagwati was shocked at the thought of getting her daughter married to a thief, that too when he was to be hanged in a day, as her daughter would be married just for a night. The thief then informed them that all through out his life, he had gathered wealth by stealing and he had lots of money but it was of no use for him as he was to die the next day, but if Dhanwati would marry him she would get all his wealth after his death and he would get salvation as she would give birth to his son. His son would do Pinddaan (oblation of cooked rice for manes) there by getting him salvation and his soul would not be devious.

Bhagwati agreed and so Dhanwati and the thief were married. Next day the thief was hanged. Before his death, he told Bhagwati about the secret place where he had hidden his wealth. Bhagwati went to that place and dug out the wealth and soon they became rich. Once a few ladies suggested Bhagwati to get Dhanwati married. Bhagwati expressed her wish that she wanted a son-in-law who would stay in her house after the marriage. One day, a Brahmin came to Bhagwati’s house. Bhagwati proposed him to get married to Dhanwati but he was actually a thief. Looking at how rich Bhagwati was, he immediately got ready to marry her. On the first night he stole all the jewelry from the house and ran away because of which Bhagwati died of shock. Later, Dhanwati gave birth to a son. She had become very poor and used to earn her living by begging. Days passed by and her son became young. One day, while they were roaming they saw a python entangled around a prince’s neck under a tree. The prince was struggling to get rid of the python. As soon as Dhanwati’s son saw this, he ran and tried his level best to save him. Meanwhile the King came there and saw him striving hard to help him. He succeeded in removing the python but could not save the Prince. Later, the King called both Dhanwati and her son to his court and pleased with his valour, told Dhanwati that he would like to adopt her son in place of the Prince.

He lived like a prince and learnt all the arts that were needed to be learnt by a prince. He also considered the King as his father. One day, the King fell sick and called for the prince and offered him the crown after his death. The King died. Later, Dhanwati asked her son to do Pinddaan. When they went to the river for the Pinddaan, three hands came out to take the pind. Of these, one hand was of the thief who had married Dhanwati for a night, second one was of the man who had married her for her wealth and the third one was of the King who had adopted him as his son.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram as to who should the son give the pind to and who was his real father. He forced Vikram to reply or else he would behead him. Vikram replied that the thief was his real father because he gave away the entire earnings of his life and enjoyed the marital life just for one night, the second man married her for her wealth and the King adopted him as there was no one to look after the kingdom. Betaal was very happy to hear this but as per his condition, as Vikram opened his mouth, Betaal flew away.

Whom will the Princess Marry?

Whom will the Princess Marry?

Vikram yet again brought Betal down and another narration began… King of Ujjain Veerdev and queen Padma had a beautiful daughter named Anantrati. She had gone for pilgrimage with her friends, guards and soldiers. On her way she donated many things to the needy and poor. One day while she was travelling, a weaver came and gifted her sari. When Anantrati asked him the cost of the sari, he refused the money and gifted it to her. Anantrati liked the sari very much and expressed her wish to see more of his work so the weaver invited her to his house. Anantrati went to his house and when she saw the other saris that he had woven; she was very much impressed and expressed her desire to learn the art of weaving from him. Anantrati then further moved on and met another man. A pigeon was resting on his shoulders. That man told Anantrati not to go further as two tigers were sitting under a tree further ahead. When Anantrati asked how he knew about it, he said that the pigeon told him and that he understood the language of birds and the beasts and also conversed with them in their language. He then asked the princess if she would like to talk to the pigeon and asked her to hold the pigeon.

Then he told her how the sparrow was complaining about her egg being stolen and how the female weaver bird complained about the male bird going away from him. And also told her how he got them back together. Anantrati was highly impressed by him and asked him if he would teach her the language of birds and beasts. She invited him to her palace to teach her that language but he refused saying that he could not leave his bird friends and come. The princess then told him that one day she would come to him and learn the language. After this, princess Anantrati and her associates moved ahead. The weather was turning bad. Anantrati too was not feeling good and realized that she had fever. They went to a Vaidya (doctor of Ayurvedic medicine) who treated Anantrati and she got better within two hours. She went around in his dispensary where she met three patients, one who was injured by the lion; second one who had goiter and the third one, whose backbone was broken. All three were treated by the Vaid and recovered. All of them had praises for the Vaid. Anantrati was very much impressed with the Vaid. She expressed her wish to stay back and serve humanity along with the Vaid. After this, Anantrati and her group moved ahead.

While they were passing through a jungle, the Princess’s leg was trapped in a rope and she hung upside down a tree. Her friends cried for help and luckily a brave man came, killed the snake that was on the tree with his axe and threw a rope on the tree. Anantrati caught hold of the rope and went on to another tree. She then jumped from the tree in the arms of the man and thus was saved. Anantrati was very much impressed with the courage and presence of mind of the man. She thanked him for his intelligence and courage. Anantrati returned home. Her parents were very happy to see her but at the same time they wanted her to get married. Anantrati told her parents that she did not want to get married to a royal man but a common man because a common man is more courageous, sincere, intelligent, witty, wise and dedicated. She realized this when she met such kinds of people. So, the King made an announcement for her Swayamvar (choice of her husband made by a princess in public) wherein bachelors from the middleclass families were invited. The brave man who had saved Anantrati’s life, the Vaid, the man who knew the language of birds and the weaver, all of them heard the announcement. All four attended the Swayamvar. King Veerdev asked Anantrati to put the nuptial garland on to the bridegroom of her choice.

Betaal then stopped and asked Vikram as to who out of these four men should Anantrati choose as her husband. He once more forced Vikram to answer or else he would kill him. Vikram replied that Anantrati was very clever, the weaver was very rich but Anantrati herself is a princess and does not need money, it was no point marrying a person who could understand the languages of birds as he was good as an entertainer but entertainment wouldn’t last for a life time. Similarly the Vaid was definitely an asset to humanity and his services were essential for the society but when it came to making a selection between him and a brave man, the princess would surely opt for the brave man, the King did not have any son and hence a brave and valorous son-in-law only could protect the kingdom and so Anantrati would marry the last man who saved her life. Just as Vikram had said, Anantrati married the courageous man. Betaal was very happy with Vikram’s answer but as per his condition, as vikram opened his mouth, betaal flew away.

A husband, thief and lover

The husband, thief and lover

Once more Vikram carried Betaal on his shoulders and Betaal started narrating one more story. In the city of Anantpur, once Dharamdutt saw a beautiful woman while he was roaming around. Her name was Madansena. Dharamdutt fell in love with her at the first sight and started following her wherever she went. Madansena warned him not to follow her or else she would complain to her father. Dharamdutt said that he did not care about anyone and that he would jump in the river if she did not accept his love. Madansena asked him to jump and he really did so and started drowning as he did not know how to swim. Madansena was frightened and jumped to save him. Meanwhile Samudradutt’s parents’ wanted him to get married before they left for pilgrimage and so they went along with him to Madansena’s house to see her. When they reached, Madansena was not at home. After she got Dharamdutt out of the river, he told her to meet him on the full moon day or else he would sacrifice his life. When Madansena reached home, Samudradutt saw her and instantly liked her. They were engaged and got married the next day. Two thieves in the city came to know about the marriage so they came to steal the very same night. Madansena was lying on her bed. One of them saw her and admired her beauty. Meanwhile few ladies came in to decorate the room and so the thieves had to run away. At night, Madansena told Samudradutt about Dharamdutt and requested him to let her meet Dharamdutt as it was the full moon night. Samudradutt allowed her but followed her in disguise.

On her way, Madansena met the thief who had fallen in love with her. He stopped her but she requested him to let her go and promised him that she would meet him on her way back. The thief agreed but he too followed her. When Madansena reached Dharamdutt’s house, he was very happy to see her but the moment he came to know that she was married, he asked her to go away as it was a sin to leave her husband on the first night and come so Madansena went back. On her way back she was again stopped by the thief. He told her that he was shocked to know that a husband trusted his wife so much that he let her go to meet another man and the lover sent her back on learning that she was married. He too let her go. Madansena reached home and Samudradutt happily accepted her as he thought her to be very pious and honest.

After saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram as to whose sacrifice was greater, Samudradutt the thief or Dharamdutt. He once more forced Vikram to reply. Vikram replied that the thief’s sacrifice was the greatest as Samudradutt sacrificed on Madansena’s request; Dharamdutt sacrificed her as she was someone else’s wife but the thief had no reason to sacrifice. He had all the chances to rob Madansena off her jewelry and also acquire her but he did not do that and he let her go. Thus his sacrifice was the greatest. Betaal admired Vikram’s wit but as he had opened his mouth to speak, Betaal once more flew away.

Three sensitive brothers

Three sensitive brothers

Vikram returned to the tree at midnight again and started his journey with Betal on his shoulders where Betal started another story. There lived a Brahmin in a town named Agrahar who had three sons. All three of them were clever, intelligent and humorous. Once they went to a jungle without informing their mother. Their mother complained about this to their father but he ignored saying that it was their age to have fun. He then asked his sons to go to the sea coast to get a tortoise for their temple. Next day all three went on the sea coast and they found a tortoise. But the question was who would carry the tortoise. The first brother refused saying that he found it too dirty, the second brother refused saying that he was getting bad odour from it and the third brother refused saying that he was scared that he might get blisters if he carried the tortoise. They then called a man who was washing clothes near by and asked him to carry the tortoise for them. He asked them why they were not carrying it. At this all three gave their own reasons. The man then said that all three of them were delicate and it was difficult to judge as to who was the most delicate of all. He then suggested them to go to the King and let him judge who was the most delicate.

They then went to the King and even he was confused as this was a difficult and a unique task so he invited them for lunch. Just when they were eating, the eldest brother stopped eating rice. When the King asked him as to why he was not eating, he said that the rice was dirty and there was a peculiar smell of burnt ash of crematorium coming from the boiled rice. On inquiring, the King came to know that the rice that came to the palace kitchen was from the field which was nearby a crematorium. The King then invited a singer to sing for the three brothers. When he learned that the second brother was interested in music the King asked him to play the drum. He sat near the singer but when she started singing he could not play the drum. When the King questioned him he said that he could not sit next to her as she was stinking like a goat. When the King asked the singer she said that she puts perfume everyday but she used to drink goat milk in her childhood. Later all three brothers went off to sleep. At midnight, the youngest brother screamed. When asked, he showed a scar that he got due to something that was pricking through the mattress. When the King ordered to check, they found a strand of hair under the three mattresses. Thus all three brothers were delicate in their own way. The king was to reward the most delicate of all three.

Betaal then stopped and asked Vikram, who according to him, the King should give the prize to. If he would not reply he would be beheaded. Vikram replied that it had to be the youngest brother because whatever the first two brothers said was not to be seen and it could have been a story that they knew before hand. But whatever the youngest brother experienced had a proof in the form of a scar and one should only believe what one sees with their own eyes. Later the king rewarded the youngest brother and sent his men to deliver the tortoise to their house. Betaal was very happy with Vikram’s answer but as he had spoken, Betaal once again flew away.

King Chandrasen and his servant

King Chandrasen and his servant Satvasheel

Yet again Vikram started walking with Betal on his shoulders and Betal started off… On the seacoast was a town named Tamralipi where a young man named Satvasheel was taking rounds of the palace to meet King Chandrasen for a job. But the King’s staff never allowed him to meet the King. Satvasheel did not loose hope and kept trying everyday. One day, while he was talking to a lady vendor selling hog plums, a man came and told them to step aside as the King’s procession was to pass by. On hearing this, Satvasheel was very happy. As soon as the King’s procession passed by, he ran after King Chandrasen. The King stopped and asked him his name and then asked him for water. He went and got water from a nearby pond by making a bowl out of a leaf. He then offered plums to the King. King Chandrasen ate two plums. The King then asked what he could do for him. He said that it was his desire to serve the King and he had been trying since many days but his guards were not allowing him to meet the King. The King then gave him a ring with the state’s coin engraved on it and asked him to come to the palace with it and when he would show it to the guards they would immediately allow him. Satvasheel next day went to the palace and the King appointed him. Satvasheel served his master with all his dedication.

Once, King Chandrasen told Satvasheel that there were many unemployed youngsters in their state and the reason for that was the lack of business. If they try to increase their business with nearby islands then it will help reduce unemployment. But for that someone must go and search for islands, approach them and try to get business from them and for that one has to be dedicated, hardworking and adventurous. Satvasheel told the King that he was ready to go for it. Chandrasen gave him a boat and Satvasheel and few associates started off. While they were sailing in the sea he saw a flag hoisted in water. Chandrasen had asked him to give all respect to the flag. Satvasheel thought that as the flag was hoisted in the middle of the sea there had to be something underneath. He jumped into the water and went down. There he saw a beautiful woman sitting with other ladies listening to music.

Satvasheel told her that he had come from Chandrasen’s country. She then asked him to take rest and offered him to take a bath before taking lunch. Just as he got into the bathtub he came out of the lake where King Chandrasen saw him. Satvasheel was surprised as he did not understand how he reached there. He told the story to Chandrasen. Chandrasen expressed his desire to visit the place. Satvasheel went along with Chandrasen to the same place. King Chandrasen fought with all the soldiers that came his way and won over the state. The princess then declared that Chandrasen had won and he was the king from that day. Chandrasen appointed Satvasheel as his representative to rule over the state and ordered the princess to get married to Satvasheel and be the queen. Just as Satvasheel and the princess bowed to King Chandrasen gooseberries fell from under Satvasheel’s belt. Chandrasen reminded him of the afternoon in the jungle where he had eaten plums from Satvasheel. Thus Chandrasen paid off his debt of plums to Satvasheel.

Betaal then stopped and asked Vikram as to who according to him was more courageous, Chandrasen or Satvasheel. He once more forced Vikram to reply or else he would behead him. Vikram replied that according to him Satvasheel was more courageous and justifying his answer said, that when Chandrasen jumped in to the sea where the flag was hoisted, he knew what was under as he had heard the full story from Satvasheel so there was nothing brave but when Satvasheel jumped, he knew nothing about it and there could have been danger to his life but he did not worry about it and went ahead. So he was more courageous than Chandrasen. Betaal praised Vikram ’s justification but since he once more had spoken, he flew away.

A Rich girl accepts thief as husband

A Rich girl accepts thief as husband

Betal started with yet another story. Veerketu was the King of Ayodhya. There were lots of thefts in Ayodhya but they failed to catch hold of the thief. The King was very worried for his subjects and so he scolded his guards for not doing their duties properly. A few businessmen told the King that if the situation did not improve they would migrate to another state. The King then took the responsibility to catch the thief himself.

Ratansen’s daughter Mannu was plucking mangoes secretly so that no one caught her. Just then a man came there and helped her get more mangoes. When Mannu asked him who he was, he replied that he was a thief. Mannu told him to teach her how to climb trees. He agreed to do so the next day. That night Veerketu went around in disguise where he saw the thief stealing some thing so even he pretended to be a thief. The thief caught hold of him and gave him a proposal of working together. Veerketu agreed to work in partnership and the two went to many houses to steal. They went inside one house where Mannu was sleeping wearing her ornaments. Veerketu told the thief to take away her ornaments but the thief said that he loved the girl and that if he would not have been a thief he would have married her. Veerketu was shocked to hear this. He then asked him where he lived and why he did not try any theft at the King’s palace. The thief replied that he had been to the palace many a times before because he wanted to become a soldier but the King’s corrupted officers did not let him reach the King. The thief then took Veerketu to his hideout.

There, Veerketu revealed to him his originality and both of them fought for a while but in the end, the thief was defeated and he became captive of the King. Meanwhile Mannu was about to get out of her house to meet the thief but was stopped and questioned by her father Ratansen. She replied that she was going to meet her thief friend who was going to teach her to climb trees and walls and that she was in love with him. Her father suggested that he would go along with her and she agreed to it. Just when they were about to go they saw few men with a captive. As soon as Mannu saw the thief she ran to him and asked him why he was captured. He replied saying that it was all because of his bad habit of stealing and he was now bearing the fruit of his bad deeds. He then told her that he could not meet her in this life but will wait for her in the next life. The thief was taken away by the soldiers. Mannu pleaded her father to do something in order to save him. The thief was then presented in the King’s court. The thief was asked if he wanted to say something in defense. At this he said that he was not worried for a death penalty but asked the King to think about the situations that compelled him to become a thief and eradicate corruption from the system which was a very difficult task and if the King succeeded in doing so, his soul would rest in peace. Veerketu announced death penalty for him and asked the soldiers to take him away. Just then Ratansen walked in and pleaded for mercy as he could not see his daughter in pain. At this, the thief first cried and then laughed loudly. Veerketu rejected his mercy plea. Just then Mannu walked in and requested the King to let her marry the thief before he was hanged as she had already accepted him as her husband. The King was touched by Mannu’s true love and so he freed the thief and also appointed him as army chief since he was courageous and valorous.

Betaal asked Vikram to reason out, why the thief first laughed and then cried when Ratansen came with a mercy plea. As usual Betaal forced Vikram to answer or else he would break his head. Vikram replied that the thief first cried because he was worried that he would be under obligation of the man who is trying to save his life and how he would pay him off for his obligation if he was not left alive. Vikram further said that the thief laughed at his destiny because a rich man’s only daughter who was so beautiful and never liked anyone ever fell in love with a man like him who was a thief. Betaal was very happy with his answer but as Vikram opened his mouth, Betaal flew away.