15. The Delicate Queens of Sundara Nagar | 16. The Behavior of the Brahmin Student: A Lesson in Dedication and Responsibility

The Vikram Bethal stories continue…

Vikramarka returned to his position and gently pulled the corpse along with him. As he continued his journey, he praised the Raja’s patience and attentiveness. He then offered to narrate another tale, hoping that the king would listen with equal interest.

In the ancient kingdom of Sundara Nagar, there was a wise and courageous king named Suravarma. He was not only known for his excellent governance but also for his deep appreciation of beauty. The king was blessed with three more beautiful and delicate wives, whom he loved dearly.

One day, King Suravarma was sitting with his first queen, feeling relaxed and playful. In a light-hearted mood, he plucked a beautiful rose and playfully tossed it toward the queen’s face. However, fate had a different plan, and the flower accidentally hit her right cheek with force, causing her to scream in pain and lose consciousness. Alarmed, the king called for the royal doctor, who tended to the queen until she gradually regained consciousness and recovered from the injury over several days.

The following evening, the king visited his second queen in her palace. They sat together on an open balcony, enjoying the enchanting view of the full moon rising. As the moon’s radiant rays fell upon them, the king delighted in the sight. Unfortunately, his joy was short-lived, as the queen suddenly started crying out, complaining that the moon’s rays were burning her delicate skin. Concerned for her well-being, the king took her inside and called her maids to attend to her. After a while, she felt better and eventually fell asleep.

On the third night, Suravarma spent time with his third queen, engaging in delightful conversation. However, their serene moment was interrupted by a sudden crushing sound nearby. The sound proved unbearable for the delicate queen, and she immediately burst into tears, collapsing to the floor in a faint. Observing the damage on her face and hands, the worried king carefully lifted her and carried her to his chamber. He called for the royal doctor, who attended to her until she recovered.

Later, the king learned from the royal physician that his third queen was extremely delicate. The first queen fell ill from some touch of a rose, the second from the moon’s rays, but the third suffered from the sound. Suravarma realized that the delicacy of his queens made it challenging for him to enjoy their company, and he knew he had to take necessary precautions and measures to ensure their well-being.

Bethal concluded the story, turning his attention back to Vikramarka. “Raja, among the three queens, who do you think was the most delicate?” he asked.

Vikramarka pondered the story for a moment and then replied, “Without a doubt, all three queens are more delicate. However, considering the first two were affected by direct contact of a rose and moon rays, respectively, while the third queen suffered from small sound, she was undoubtedly the most sensitive and delicate of them all.”

As Vikramarka’s answer reached Bethal’s ears, the mystical creature transformed and flew away once again, leaving the king to contemplate the tale and its lesson.

16. The Behavior of the Brahmin Student:

A Lesson in Dedication and Responsibility

The Vikram Bethal stories continue…

King Vikramarka, a man known for his wisdom and courage, had a mission. He needed to capture the Bethal, a mischievous spirit said to reside in a giant peepal tree. As he approached the tree on a moonlit night, he spotted Bethal’s lifeless form hanging from a low branch. A grin spread across Vikramarka’s face. This was it!

But just as he reached for the Bethal, the seemingly dead spirit spoke in a raspy voice, “Hold on, great king! Before you take me away, allow me to share one final story.” Intrigued, Vikramarka paused. The Bethal, despite being a captive, held a strange power over those who listened to his tales. He couldn’t resist.

The Bethal began, “Deep in a small village lived a poor Brahmin named Ravi. He was a kindhearted man, devoted to his wife Sita and their two young children, a boy named Rohan and a girl named Maya. Unfortunately, their village was struck by a terrible drought. Crops withered, and food became scarce. Day after day, Ravi watched his family grow weaker with hunger gnawing at their bellies.”

Tears welled up in Ravi’s eyes. One night, unable to bear their suffering any longer, he made a heart-wrenching decision. He would leave for the nearby town and search for work, no matter how difficult it might be. Leaving his sleeping family behind, he set out with a heavy heart.

The journey was long and arduous. The sun beat down mercilessly, and Ravi’s stomach rumbled with hunger. By the time he reached the town, he was exhausted and desperate. As he stumbled through the streets, he stumbled upon a beautiful temple. Inside, a wise old saint was meditating.

Seeing Ravi’s ragged state, the saint’s eyes softened with compassion. He offered Ravi a plate of food and water. Ravi devoured it gratefully, tears of relief mixing with the taste of the meal. With newfound strength, he poured out his troubles to the saint.

The saint listened patiently, stroking his beard thoughtfully. At last, he said, “Ravi, you can alter your destiny, but it will take commitment and determination. Go to the nearby pond, take a purifying dip in its water, and then meditate with your eyes closed. Concentrate on your loved ones and tell me what visions you see.”

Ravi’s eyes lit up with hope. He hurried to the pond and followed the saint’s instructions. As he closed his eyes and focused, a vision of Rohan playing happily appeared before him. Overjoyed, Ravi rushed back to the saint.

“Saint, saint!” he exclaimed, “I saw Rohan! I saw my son!”

But the saint’s face remained glum. “Ravi,” he said gently, “you saw only what you wanted to see. True vision requires focus and discipline. You were too quick to jump to conclusions. Unfortunately, I cannot offer you the knowledge you seek.”

Ravi was devastated. He had been offered a chance to improve his situation, but his impatience had cost him. The Bethal’s voice, though raspy, held a hint of sadness, “King Vikramarka,” he rasped, “the saint wasn’t being cruel. He simply saw that Ravi wasn’t ready to receive the knowledge. Recall that excellent things come to those who are patient and dedicated.”

Vikramarka pondered the story. He understood now. The Bethal, though a mischievous spirit, was teaching him a valuable lesson. He thanked the Bethal and continued on his journey, carrying the weight of the story and its moral close to his heart.

From that day on, Vikramarka valued patience and focus above all else. He knew that true fortune favored those who were dedicated and willing to work hard for their goals, not those who simply wished for them.