Three Suitors and Somprabha

Three Suitors and Somprabha

Bringing Betal down onto his shoulders once again Vikram started walking towards his destination and Betal started telling him another story. It was the story of Ujjaininagari which was ruled by a demon in those days. The people of Ujjaini lived in fear and were always under stress. The story took place at the King’s messenger and faithful officer Hariswami’s house. He had a beautiful, intelligent and talented daughter named Somprabha. Somprabha used to practice dance at home which disturbed her brother in his studies and he always complained to his father for the same. His father told him to study just as sincerely as Somprabha practiced dancing. He was very proud of his daughter as she knew the art of drawing, music and dancing. He was also worried about his daughter’s marriage. He once asked her as to what kind of a life partner she wanted. She wanted someone who was learned, an artist and a valorous man. While she was talking to her father, the demon heard her as he was standing outside the window and said that he was the perfect bridegroom for Somprabha and that he would take her away one day. Somprabha’s parents were petrified.

After few days, Hariswami had to go to the King of nearby state with gifts which he had to deliver that was given by his King. As he was the messenger of the King, many a times he used to go to near by states. On his way, robbers attacked him and tried to take away the valuables from him. Just then Veersingh, who was sitting on the tree jumped and attacked the robbers and saved Hariswami and his At this Radhegovind said that the King had asked them to vouch for the states good first and then of the King so they must first think of valuables.Hariswami was very happy with him and kept forth his daughter’s marriage proposal. Mean while, Pandit Sudarshan Acharya’s son who was a poet from Ujjain reached Hariswami’s house. Just as Hariswami’s wife opened the door, he asked her to call for Somprabha as he had written a poem smitten by Somprabha’s beauty. Somprabha’s mother was very happy and told him that she would come to see his father and ask him to accept Somprabha as his daughter-in-law. Meanwhile Somprabha’s brother met an artisan. He asked him what he was creating. The artisan told him to sit inside and the Biman (flying chariot) started flying. Somprabha’s brother was very impressed with him and asked him to marry his sister Somprabha.

The artisan agreed to marry her. He fixed the day of “Akshaya Tritaya” for their marriage. Coincidentally it was the same day that Hariswami had fixed the marriage with Veersingh. This way, all three of them found a bridegroom for Somprabha and each one of them thought that Somprabha should get married to the boy of their choice. Even the demon wanted to marry Somprabha. On the day of the marriage all the three boys came with a procession to get married to Somprabha.The demon came to know about it so while Somprabha was getting ready for the wedding, he abducted her. Somprabha’s parents were worried but the artisan said that he would get his biman so that he could fly in search of Somprabha. The poet and Veersingh also joined as the poet knew that Veersingh was strong enough to fight the demon. They went to the jungle and saw the demon carrying Somprabha. Veersingh struck the demon with his arrows and killed him. All three of them came back home with Somprabha and all of them wanted to marry her.

Betaal asked Vikram who Somprabha should get married to and who according to him was the most suitable groom for her. Vikram replied that Somprabha should marry Veersingh because writing a poem for your loved one is easy, flying in a biman and reaching to your love is easy too but a man should be brave enough to protect his wife and face any difficulty to save her. Veersingh killed the demon that kidnapped Somprabha and therefore he was the only one who was capable of protecting her and hence the right man for Somprabha. Somprabha married Veersingh. Betaal was very happy to hear this but Vikram did not stick to the condition and as he spoke; he once again flew away.