6th STORY OF BHETHALA

THE STORY OF PARROTS

Vikramadithya had gone to the Moduga tree and without any tiresome or bore he caught up Bhethala. He was walking towards Bruhadaranyam. As usual, Bhethala started to tell a story.

Bethala said, “Vikramadithya! Listen.”

He continued…

Once there was a city Patali Puram. [The meaning of this name is city of Patali flowers. The ancient name of Patna is Patali Puram] King Vikrama Kesari was ruling it. [The meaning of this name is a person who is ferocious like lion] He had a son, called Parakrama Kesari. [It has some meaning as above.] The Prince Parakrama Kesari had learnt all arts and education. He was famous for his worrier ship, adventurous nature and dare. He was bringing up a beautiful 5-colored parrot. It was a male parrot. It had the ability to tell past, present and future happenings.

One day the Prince Parakrama Kesari had asked the parrot “Oh Parrot! You are telling the past, present and future happenings in life to any person. Tell me, when my marriage will be happen?” The parrot said, “Oh Prince! There is a city Veda Puri. The king of that city is Gadadhara. He had no children. Hence, he had done penance about God Shiva. God had appeared to him and said “Oh King! I’m appreciating your penance. I want to give boon to you. Say what do you want?” Gadadhara felt extreme happy and praised God in many ways. He asked “God! I want children.” God blessed him. Later the king Gadadhara got a girl child. He had put the name ‘Ratna Valli’ to his daughter. [The meaning of this name is ‘diamond garland’] He had brought up her with affection. She is now in the age about to marry. She is very beautiful and good-natured girl. One more interesting feature is here. She is also growing up a 5-colored parrot. It is female parrot. It is also able to tell past, present and future happenings. That means, it is also ‘Thrikala Vedi’ like me. Just like you, the princess Ratna Valli had asked her parrot about her marriage. To such question, the female parrot had told, “Oh beautiful Princess! You are like diamond among young girls. The king of Patali Puram is Vikrama Kesari. He has a son by name Parakrama Kesari. He is right person to marry you.”

Ratna Valli informed this to her father Gadadhara. He had decided to give Ratna Valli to you. They are coming to Patali Puram. Ratna Valli is in the Palanquin where as her parents are coming by chariot. This team is near to your city entrance.”

Parakrama Kesari had felt excitement and informed all this to his father Vikrama Kesari. His parents felt very happy and welcomed GadaDhaara and his team. They performed the marriage of Parakrama Kesari and Ratna Valli. Everybody had admired the pair of bride and bridegroom. After marriage, on the first night the new wife and husband i.e. Ratna Valli and Parakrama Kesari were enjoying each other’s company in their palace.

Parakrama Kesari said, “My dear wife. We are happy now. Because of our parrots, our marriage has been happened. Let the two parrots be happy. Mine is male parrot. Yours is female parrot. Let us keep them in a single cage to enjoy each other’s company.” Ratna Valli happily accepted this. They had kept the two parrots in a big and beautiful cage. When the male parrot tried to pet the female, it said with anger “Why are coming near to me. We should not believe male.” By hearing this, the male parrot said, “We should not believe females.” Both the parrots were quarrelling with loud voice.

The prince and princess got disturbed from sleep. They asked, “Why are you quarrelling with each other.”

Both the parrots had explained what had happened. They asked the prince and princes to solve their dispute. Ratna Valli and Parakrama Kesari had asked the female parrot “Why did you say to do not believe males?”

The female parrot started to tell.

“Oh Prince Parakrama Kesari! Listen. There was a city by name Abhaya Satyam. [The meaning of this is assured truth] In that city there was a Vysya i.e. businessman by name Valmikudu. He had a son by name Tharka Kesari. [The meaning of this name is a person who is like lion in logic] Because Valmika Setti was rich enough, he had brought up his son with affection. The son, Tharka Kesari became indiscipline, luxurious and prostitute addicted. Valmika Setti tried in many ways to keep him in righteous path. He had counseled him with moral values, but in vain. As alternative, Valmika Setti had driven out his son from the house. Tharka Kesari had wandered here and there. He reached this village and that village. Finally, he reached a town Alaka Puri. There he approached a Vysya i.e. businessman by name Nishada Setti for work. He had taken care of Tharka Kesari for some time. Then he had given his daughter Alankari to him as wife. He performed their marriage and made his son-in-law i.e. Tharka Kesari as boss of his business.

Some days had passed. One day Tharka Kesari had approached his father-in-law Nishada and said, “Oh uncle! I had came out of my house and from my parents since so many days, with anger. Now I want to go them with my wife. I want to visit them once. After spending some days with them we’ll be back here.”

Nishada Setti had accepted the proposal. He had given new clothes, ornaments and gifts to the parents of Tharka Kesari. He had given new clothes and ornaments to his daughter Alankari and Tharka Kesari. Both Alankari and Tharka Kesari had taken send off from Nishada Setti and started to Abhaya Satyam to reach Tharka Kesari’s parents. On the way, Tharka Kesari had recalled his memories with the experience with prostitutes. In that past, he had enjoyed the limitless and indiscipline luxuries. He didn’t work sincerely. But now he was doing work at father-in-law’s house to look after the business. Now he was memorizing all of that. He got ideas to deceive his wife.

He said, “Oh my dear wife! Here, there is a talk about thieves. It is dangerous to wear all the ornaments on body. Hence, keep them in a bag and give me. I’ll take care of them.” she had done so. Immediately he had pushed her into an old well in that forest way and went to the prostitutes with whom he enjoyed in past. With high afford and with the help of travelers Alankari managed to reach her father Nishada Setti’s house. Nishada Setti had surprised by watching his daughter as returned lonely. He had asked her for reason. She said, “Oh father! While we were going, some thieves attacked on us. They had taken all the money, valuables and ornaments from us. They had beaten me and drive from there. But they had taken my husband along with them.” Nishada Setti had consoled her and said, “Don’t worry my dear daughter! I’ll send people to search your husband.”

Tharka Kesari had enjoyed with prostitutes. Some days were passed. The money was finished. The prostitutes had beaten Tharka Kesari and driven him out. He cried about it. In helpless situation, he returned to his father-in-law’s house. When he reached there, his wife Alankari was in front of him. Tharka Kesari felt fear. He thought, “She might tell what happened to her father. Then my father-in-law will kill me.” Alankari had sensed his fear. Because she was very kind and affectionate on her husband, she said, “You don’t fear. Don’t cry for what happened in past. At last, you had realized your fault and returned home. I’m happy about this. I didn’t tell what happened on the way to my father.”

By saying like this, she had explained him what she told to her father. She said, “My parents are waiting for your arrival with eager.” She had taken him to her parents. They had consoled him. They were well treating him as in past. Some days passed. Tharka Kesari’s desire to enjoy with prostitutes was pulling him. One day he proposed his wife to go to his parent’s city Abhaya Satyam. But she refused it. She was not able to believe him. One-day night, he had killed his wife Alankari and took her ornaments. He had ran away from Nishada Setti i.e. his father-in-law’s house. Like this, the man had killed his wife who loved him and trusted him. Hence, I said as we should not believe males.”

Then the wife and husband, Ratna Valli and Parakrama Kesari had asked the male parrot “Why did you say to do not believe females?”

The male parrot said, “Oh King! Once there was a city Arishta Puram. [The meaning of this name in unfortunate city] There was a king by name Dharma Kesari, ruling that city. [The meaning of this name is a person who is like lion in performing Dharma i.e. moral duty] In that city, there was a Vysya man, by name Kiri Varthaka. He had a daughter by name Lalasa. [The meaning of this name is desire] She was at marriage age. Another Vysya young man by name Vara Keerthi asked her father, Kiri Varthaka to give her to him. He had accepted the proposal and performed the marriage of Lalasa with Vara Keerthi. After some days, he had left her at her parents’ house and went on business tour. Because Lalasa was in the younger age, her husband was not with her, as he had gone on business, Lalasa was not control herself and her sexual desires. She had attracted a Brahmin young man who was living near to her house and enjoying sex with him. She kept this extra marital affair secretly. Some days passed. One day her husband Vara Keerthi returned home with high earnings in business. He was happy. He brought so many valuable gifts, dress and ornaments to his wife and her parents. That night, Lalasa had served her husband and made him happy. After he had slept, she called on her close servant-maid who know about her extra marital affair and told her to bring her lover i.e. Brahmin young man.

After some time, that Brahmin young man had reached behind the wall of Kiri Varthaka’s house. It was midnight by that time. The city security guards had came on their way in the part of their duty. They had watched somebody behind the businessman’s house. They thought that he was a thief.

They had shot an arrow to him. The Brahmin boy had been injured by the arrow and became unconscious. But he didn’t cry out with loud voice due to the fear of expose of his extra marital love affair with Lalasa. Because there was no sound, the security guards had gone on their way. Lalasa didn’t know what happened. She approached him. She called him. He didn’t give reply. She thought that he might anger with her because she was late. To cool him and to please him, she tried to hug and kiss him. By that moment, her nose got into his mouth. Because he was in unconscious state, he had bitten her nose and lost life. With shock, she tried to get up. Alas! Her nose was cut off. The cut off piece was in the mouth of corpse i.e. dead body of Brahmin young man. She was in great worry and fear. She returned to bedroom. She thought for a while. She had taken a betel nut from the handbag of her husband and cut off it. She applied some blood to a knife. She cried out with loud voice. Her husband got up from sleep. Her parents had ran into their bedroom. Lalasa said, “My husband had cut off my nose.” They complained to the police. The police i.e. soldiers had taken them to the king’s court. The king Dharma Kesari had asked Vara Keerthi, “Why did you cut your wife’s nose?” He said, “Maha Raja! I don’t know anything. I got up when my wife was shouting loud.” The king enquired Lalasa. She said, “Oh Maharaja! I never do any harm or bad to any body and to my husband. Then why should I lodge such allegation on him?”

At that time, the security guards reported to the king “Oh! Maharaja! Last night when we were guarding the city, while patrolling on the streets, we had watched somebody hidden at the back of this Vysya man’s house. By thinking that was thief, we had shooting as arrow. Because there was no sound we left from there.”

The king, Dharma Kesari had ordered the soldiers to search there. The soldiers had done so. They had brought the corpse of Brahmin young man. There was the cut off nosepiece of Lalasa in the mouth of corpse. In the enquiry, it was came to know that the corpse was of Brahmin young man who was living near to Kiri Varthaka. It was known that Lalasa had extramarital affair with him. The king had enquired in all the possible angles including the servant-maid of Lalasa. The king, Dharma Kesari said, “Oh Vysya girl, Lalasa! Tell me truth. Otherwise, I won’t leave you.” She had accepted her guilty. The king had released her husband and punished her to death by cutting her head off.

Oh, Prince Parakrama Kesari! Oh, Princess Ratna Valli! Look! How much immoral is this? That’s why I said, to do not believe females.”

The prince Parakrama Kesari and Princess Ratna Valli had counseled the both parrots by projecting right arguments and made them to live together.

Bhethala said, “Oh Vikramadithya Maharaja! This is the story. Can you tell what is the logic presented by the prince and princess to convince the parrots?”

Vikramadithya said, “Bhethala. In my opinion, it might be like this. The good and bad nature or morality and immorality are beyond the limits of male or female. The nature of human being does not depend upon gender but on personality and character. In case of Tharka Kesari and Alankari, Tharka Kesari had cheated his wife and killed her. Being innocent and good, she was deceived by her husband. In case of Lalasa and Vara Keerthi, Lalasa was very bad and cruel. Due to her immorality the Brahmin young man had died. Without feeling fear, guilty and repentance, she tried to blame and to do allegation on her husband. By knowing and with clear mind, she had planned to kill Vara Keerthi, her husband. Tharka Kesari had killed his wife with sudden and temporary emotion. Whereas, Lalasa had planned the coup to kill her husband to prevent the expose of her immorality. Hence, she was more bad and guilty. Naturally, woman will be kind, good and affectionate. Being woman, Lalasa should not do like that.”

With this answer, the silence was broken.

Bhethala vanished.

OUT COMING SKILLS: By reading this story, children will convince with the logical and sensitive analysis of Vikramadithya. By the way, they can inspire to learn it. Children enjoy the thrill and humor when the nose of Lalasa was cut-off and preserved in the mouth of Brahmin young man’s corpse. It leads them to think that if we do any bad or immoral, then there will be the risk to get expose of it.

5th STORY OF BHETHALA:

THE STORY OF NEETHI VAMSA KETHU

Vikramadithya again bringing Bhethala and again Bhethala started to narrate a story.

He said, “Vikramadithya Maharaja! You please hear the story. Once upon a time, there was a city Soma Vedika. [The meaning of this name is holy stage] Its king was Neethi Vamsa Kethu. [The meaning of this name is a person who has moral race fame as his flag] He was very good and capable. He was the devotee of Goddess Bhadra Kali. He was worshipping her as his race Goddess. He had constructed a very big and beautiful temple to the Goddess. He had made golden chariot and other ornaments to the Goddess. Every year he was celebrating temple fair and festivals at the temple. In one year, there was a big temple fair on account of festival celebrations at the temple. A very big gathering was there. People came from near and far villages to participate in the fair. Among them, there was a beautiful young girl by name Viri Boni. [The meaning of her name is a girl who has delicate body like flower] There came a young man by name Yasho Vantha. [The meaning of this name is a person who has fame] He had seen her. He was in love with her at first sight. He wished to attract her. He had gone into the temple and prayed Goddess as “Oh Mother! You will fulfill all the desires of your devotees. You are like Kalpa Valli to people. [Kalpa Valli is a tree in the deities’ city AmaraVathi. As per Hindu’s belief, it will give whatever we want by standing in its shade]. You please influence this girl to love me and to marry me. If you do so, if it happens, I will give my head as a sacrifice to you. I promise you to keep my head on alter by cutting off at your feet. Oh, Mother! Let me get marry this beautiful girl. Bless me like that.”

Then Yasho Vantha had approached his parents and shown that girl, Viri Boni to them. He said, “Oh Mother and Oh father. I like this girl. You please get me marry her.” They had accepted his desire. They had enquired about her parents and address. After the fair, on one auspicious day, Yasho Vantha’s parents had gone to the village of Viri Boni. They had approached the parents of Viri Boni and introduced themselves. After the cordial talks, they had asked their daughter Viri Boni to give to their son Yasho Vantha to marry. They had accepted the offer.

On an auspicious day, both the parents had celebrated the marriage of Yasho Vantha with Viri Boni, by inviting all of their relatives and friends. After the marriage feast and celebrations, Viri Boni was sent to her mother-in-law’s house at Soma Vedika city. Yasho Vantha was happy with his wife Viri Boni. Because she was good in behavior, his parents also were happy with their daughter-in-law. Days were passing happily.

By the way, after some months, Viri Boni’s parents wanted to see their daughter and son-in-law. They had called their elder son and said, “Dear son. You go to Soma Vedika city. You bring your younger sister Viri Boni and your brother-in-law, Yasho Vantha here. Let us celebrate the occasion to have nice time.”

He had reached Yasho Vantha’s house and conveyed the message. They had accepted the invitation. They had decided to go to Viri Boni’s parent’s house. That day, before travel Yasho Vantha, Viri Boni and her brother had gone to Bhadra Kali’s temple to pay their tributes. After devotion, they sat near the holy lake in the temple surroundings. Yasho Vantha said, “One minute. I have forgotten to pray Goddess Kalika Devi. I’ll be back within minutes.”

By saying like this, he had gone into the temple. He prayed, “Oh Kalika Mother! I’m putting my head on alter as per my promise.” He had wound his hair to one of the branches of a banyan tree, which was in front of Kalika Devi’s idol and cut off his head with a long sword. Viri Boni was worrying about her husband. Her brother told “My dear younger sister! Don’t worry. I’ll go to bring him.” He went into the temple. What did he see there? A terrible sight. His loving brother-in-law died. His cut off head was hanging to the branch of banyan tree. His body was on the floor. He was frightened with the terrible scene. He didn’t like to tell this sad news to his sister. He got desperate.

In the same manner as Yasho Vantha, the brother of Viri Boni also wound his hair to the branch of banyan tree and cut off his head.

When the both, husband and brother didn’t return, Viri Boni had gone into the temple to know what happened. There she had seen terrible scene. Both her husband and brother had died. She had cried like anything. She thought, “My loving husband and brother had died. Why should I live?”

She got ready to cut off her head. At that moment, Goddess Kalika Devi appeared in front of her. Goddess Kalika Devi said, “Oh girl! Stop! Stop your adventure. What do you want? I give you boons. Don’t die.” Viri Boni said, “Oh Mother! Please make my husband and brother alive.”

Goddess Kalika Devi said, “Well! I’ll do so. You attach their heads to their respective bodies.”

With great excitement and anxiety, Viri Boni attached the heads to their bodies. With the boon of Bhadra Kali, both of they got alive. But what happened you know? With excitement and anxiety, Viri Boni had attached the head of her husband to her brother’s body and her brother’s head to her husband’s body. That’s all the story.

Bethala said, “Oh! Vikramadithya! You are the best among the kings. Now tell me who is husband to that girl, Viri Boni?”

Vikramadithya said, “When they got alive, whoever treats her as wife, he will be her husband.”

Again, Bhethala escaped from there!

OUT COMING SKILLS: By this story, children will thrill by the twist in the ending. When the heads are interchanged to bodies, what will happen? In this story Vikramadithya told, “Who is able to recognize her as wife, he will be her husband.” Is it not clear answer? Children will inspire by this to learn logical thinking.

4th STORY OF BHETHALA:

THE STORY OF GNANI, SUTHRAGNA AND SURUDU


Again Vikramadithya returned to Moduga tree. There he had seen Bhethala hanging uprooted to its branch. He felt wonder but he didn’t leave. Again, he had caught Bhethala in the form of corpse, kept him on shoulder and started to walk. As usual, Bhethala started the story. He said, “Vikramadithya Maharaja. You listen the story.


In ancient times, there was a town by name ‘Matchili’. In that town, there was a Brahmin by name Arjuna Swamy. He had a daughter. She was very beautiful and good. Arjuna Swamy was protecting her like eyelid to eye. One day, three Brahmin young men came to that town. They heard about Arjuna Swamy’s daughter, as she was beautiful and good. They had approached him and requested him to give his daughter to them to marry. He said that he could give his daughter to one of them. But a demon had came there and taken away the Brahmin girl i.e. Arjuna Swamy’s daughter.


Both her parents were crying like anything. Among the three Brahmin young men, the first one was Gnani [Means Knowledgeous man]. He had the ability to watch any place, as he desired on this earth with his knowledge. He had located the residence of demon and told it. Among the tree Brahmin young men, the second one was Suthragna. [Means a person who knows the formulae] He said, “I’m able to construct a chariot. It will move according to our order. Is there anybody to go to the demon place to save the girl?” The third man was Surudu. [Means great worrier] He said, “Oh Suthragna. I can go. You please construct the chariot.” Suthragna had constructed the chariot and shown Surudu how to ride it.”


Surudu had taken his weapon and climbed on to the chariot. He ordered the chariot to reach the demon’s place as imformed by Gnani. The chariot had reached there. Surudu had fought with the demon. He had killed the demon and brought the Brahmin girl back to her parents. Everybody felt happy.


Bhethala said, “Oh Vikramadithya Maharaja, the ruler of Ujjaini! You tell me. Among the three Brahmin young men Gnani, Suthragna and Surudu, who is eligible to marry the girl?”


Vikramadithya said, “Oh Bhethala! Gnani and Suthrugna had used their knowledge, talent and
education to save the girl. But Surudu had taken his life risk to reach her. Hence, he is eligible to marry her.”

When Vikramadithya had completed the reply, again Bhethala escaped from his bond.

3rd STORY OF BHETHALA :

THE STORY OF BRAHMIN YOUNG MEN

Vikramadithya again reached the Moduga tree and bound the corpse on his shoulder. He was walking towards the Bruhadaranyam. Bhethala watched the ferocious king, Vikramadithya. Bhethala said, “Oh Vikramadithya! I tell you a story. Listen this story with silence.”

Bhethala continued…

Once upon a time, there was a city Anganam. There was a Brahmin by name Adi Vishnu. He had three sons. They had learnt different arts and education. The three brothers approached the king of that city Yogadasa to fetch job in his court. They had introduced themselves as learnt people. The king asked them “What is your specialty?” The elder brother said, “I know the best luxury in eating. I can justify the quality of food.” The middle brother said, “I know the best luxury in sex. I can justify the nature of woman”. The third brother said, “I know the best luxury in sleeping. I can justify the quality of beds and cushions.”

The king had felt wonder and decided to test their abilities. He ordered the royal Poojari [priest] i.e. Brahmin to give lunch to the elder brother. After eating, the king asked the Brahmin’s elder son “Oh Young man! What is the significance of food you eat now.” He said, “Oh Maha Raja! I ate the rice which was giving the smell of burial ground.” The king enquired into the matter. It was came to notice that rice had grown in a field to which the fertile was supplied from burial ground. The king surprised at his talent.

He ordered the middle brother to spend with beautiful dancer cum prostitute who was working in the royal dancing theater. On next day, the king asked the middle brother as “Oh Young man. Last night you enjoyed with one of our dancing women. What is your justification?” The middle brother said, “The women with whom I spent last night was giving the smell of sheep.” When the king enquired into the matter, he came to know that the dancer had born in the family of shepherds. The king felt satisfaction.

He called on the younger brother and ordered him to sleep on a special bed. This bed was made as 7 layers. Each one was made with fine cotton and with feathers of swan. The cover was made with pure silk cloth. It was smooth and soft. Next morning the king asked him “What is the significance of bed and your sleeping luxury?” The third brother told “Oh Maha Raja! By sleeping on such bed, I got body pains.” The king ordered the servants to search on bed. He personally examined the search. There found a human long hair under the 7 layers of beds. The king felt thrill, by watching the talents of three brothers. He had given appropriate jobs to them in his court.

Bhethala said, “Oh Vikramadithya! Who is great among these three brothers? Tell me.”

Vikramadithya said, “Bhethala! The elder brother had identified the luxury in eating. The middle brother had identified the luxury in enjoying with woman. Both these had experienced and identified when they were in the state of activeness. But the third brother had identified the luxury while sleeping. Hence, his talent is more great and he is most efficient.”

Because the silence was broken, Bhethala along with corpse disappeared from Vikramadithya’s shoulder and re-appeared on the Moduga tree.

OUT COMING SKILLS: This story will inspire the children to improve their 5 senses i.e. vision, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touch and other sensitive talents. If we concentrate on our senses, we can improve them. It is my practical experience. In my childhood, when I read these stories I was inspired by this story. I had concentrated on 5 senses. Now I can say with conformation, my sensitive observation and memory are much than many others. I’m not saying this with ego. I’m saying this with self-confidence and observation. One more feature is here. By reading Vikramadithya’s reply, children can understood how the things should analyze.

2nd STORY OF BHETHAL

THE STORY OF ‘MANTHRA VADI’
Vikramadithya had again climbed on to the branch of Moduga tree and brought down the corpse in which Bhethala was there. He was carrying the corpse i.e. Bhethala by keeping the corpse on the shoulder towards the Bruhadaranyam Kalika Devi’s temple. Bhethala said, “Oh Vikramadithya, I tell you a story and put a question to you. But don’t give answer to me. Then I’ll obey you. I’ll become as your subordinate. But, by knowing the answer, if you don’t give answer to me, your head will break into 1000 pieces.”

Bhethala continued …

Once in a village of Brahmins by name Brahma Chakram: there was a Brahmin Jataa Gopudu. He had a beautiful daughter, called Mrude Bhashini. [The meaning of this name is a girl who talks with sweet and delicate words] She was beautiful and famous for her good behavior. One-day three Brahmin young men came to marry her. One man approached Jataa Gopudu and said, “Oh elder man. Please let me marry your daughter.” Jataa Gopudu had promised him to give his daughter to him. Another man approached Jataa Gopudu’s wife and begged for her daughter, Mrudu Bhashini’s hand. She had promised him to do so. Third man approached Jataa Gopudu’s elder son and asked for his sister Mrudu Bhashini to marry with him. He promised the third young man to give his sister to him.

When they came to notice, Jataa Gopudu, his wife and his elder son were quarreling with one another to fulfill their promise to the young men. By watching all this, Mrudu Bhashini felt sad and died. Everybody wept for her. They cremated her body at the burial ground. As per Indian Hindu culture, they had burnt her body with wood. The three young men were very sad. One man had taken Mrudu Bhashini’s body ash and bones left at burial ground. He had gone to Kasi, the holy pilgrim centre of Hindus in India. [At Kasi, the famous Annapurna Visweswara Gods’ temple is there. It is holy and very famous to Indians.] The second man had felt detachment on this world and gone on tour in the country. The third man didn’t go anywhere. He was crying at the burial ground.

The second man who was wandering had reached a village on the part of his tour. He requested for food in a Brahmin’s house. They accepted him as a guest. He had taken bathe with the water from the well at their background. After bathe, he was taking rest under a mango tree there. The kitchen of the host was in his visibility.

In that house, there was a baby of 1+ year age. The kid was troubling the housewife, while she was cooking food. She had prevented him several times. The kid continued to trouble her. She had lost patience and thrown the kid into fire. Within minutes, the kid turns into ash. By watching all of this, the guest [Our 2nd man who came to marry Mrudu Bhashini] shouted as “Oh God!” by closing his eyes to prevent the look on her cruelty. He got up from there with extreme anger. He said, “Oh. Brahmani [That means oh Brahmin’s wife!] you are sin holder. You are cruel. You killed your own kid. You are like a demon or ghost. I should not eat the food at your house. Oh, devil. You have killed your own little kid by throwing him in the fire. It is sin if I see your face. I won’t take food from your hand. I want to go somewhere.”

That Brahmin woman, being his host, prayed him to have patience by falling on his feet. She had gathered the ash and bones of her kid as a heap and said magic words i.e. Sanjeevani mantra. [It is believed in Ancient Indian Sanskrit culture, there are certain mantras like that] Wonderful! Her little son was alive and playing happily. The Brahmin young man was amazing at it. He had fallen on her feet and prayed “Oh Mother! Please let me know that mantra i.e. magic word.” She said, “Oh guest! You please have lunch. Then I’ll tell It.” He had taken lunch there. He played with the kid as petting. His Brahmin host had told the magic word to him. Because he got the magic word, he became as Mantra vadi. [That means a person who can say magic words] With extreme happiness, he had returned to Brahma Chakram village to make Mrudu Bhashini alive. When he had reached the burial ground, there was no body, except the third young man who wished to marry Mrudu Bhashini.

Mantra Vadi had examined the ash of Mrudu Bhashini. Alas. There were no bones. He felt sad. By that time, the first man who had taken the ash and bones of Mrudu Bhashini to Kasi had reached there. He had deposited some of ash and bones in the river Ganga at Kasi and brought the remaining as per their tradition. He had given the ash and bones to Mantra Vadi. Mantra Vadi kept the ash and bones of Mrudu Bhashini as a heap and said the Sanjeevani Mantra. Mrudu Bhashini was alive there as if she woke up from sleep. Again the quarrel was started. The three young men were quarreling with one another. Mrudu Bhashini parents and elder brother were quarrelling with one another.

Bhethala said, “Vikramadithya! You are very adventurous. To fulfill the desire of the saint, you are taking me by tying this corpse on to your shoulder. You decide! Who is eligible to marry Mrudu Bhashini?”

Vikramadithya said, “Oh Bhethala! The young man who had taken Mrudu Bhashini’s ash and bones to Kasi is equivalent to her son [In Indian tradition, when a mother dies, her sons used to go to Kasi by taking her ash and bones to mix in the holy water of Ganga River]. Hence, he should not marry her. The young man who had made her alive by using Sanjeevani Mantra is equivalent to her father [In fact, father gives birth to anybody. In such a case, Manthra Vadi who had given birth to Mrudu Bhashini became equivalent to her father]. Hence, he should not marry her. The young man who wept at burial ground is eligible to marry her.” The silence was broken. Bhethala disappeared from the shoulder of Vikramadithya and reached Moduga tree.

OUT COMING SKILLS: By reading this story, children can learn analytical and logical thinking. Generally, we used to think who ever effort for a task, they are liable to enjoy the fruit. In such case, Manthra Vadi had afforded to make Mrudu Bhashini alive. Another man afforded to do something by taking her bones and ash to Kasi. One man didn’t afford. He was at burial ground with grievance of her death. He became husband to her. The logic is convincible. This makes children to analysis the things with deep vision.

STORIES TOLD BY BHETHALA TO VIKRAMADITHYA

1. PADMA VATHI’S STORY


Once there was a city by name Deva Puram, [It means city of deities]. The king to that city was Pratapa Vanthudu [The meaning of this name is ‘a person who is a worrier]. He had a son, by name Vajra Kutudu [The meaning of this name is ‘diamond equivalent’]. His minister also had a son who was at equal age to prince. Both the prince and Son of Minister were close friends.


They used to go to forest for hunting for one day in every month. As usual, one day they had gone to forest for hunting. On the way, they had seen a lake in the forest. In that lake, a beautiful young woman was taking bathe. The prince had fallen in love with her at first sight. The young woman had seen the prince. She admired the handsome prince. She also felt love with him.


She had plucked a lotus flower from the lake. She had pressed the lotus on her two eyes, bitten it with teeth and dropped it on her feet. She had plucked another water lily from the lake, pressed it to her breast, wore it on her hair and left on her way. The son of king asked the son of Minister “What are the meanings of the actions done by that beauty?”


The Minister’s son said, “Oh Prince! That young girl had pressed the lotus on her two eyes. By the way, she told you that her residence is at Nethra Puram. [The meaning of this name is city of eyes.] She had bitten the lotus flower. By the way, she had conveyed that her name is Padma Vathi. [In Sanskrit language, Lotus flower is known as Padmam] She had dropped the lotus on her foot. By the way, she had conveyed that her father’s name is Uttana Padhudu. [The meaning of this name is a person who has great feet] She had pressed water lily [It is described by Sanskrit language poets as lover to Moon; and as symbol of love] on her breast. By the way, she had conveyed you that she is in love with you. She had worn the water lily on her head and bowed to you. By the way, she requested you to meet her secretly. These are the meanings of those actions.”


The prince felt happy about it. They returned to their city Deve Puram. They left the servants and fellow men there. The son of king and the son of Minister had gone to Nethra Puram. There they came to know that Uttana Pada was the king of that city and Padma Vathi was his daughter.


Both the Prince and the Minister’s son had enquired about the servant-maids of PadmaVathi. They located an old woman who was in the service to give flower garlands every day to the Princess of that city i.e. PadmaVathi. They had managed to accommodate at her house. This old woman was doing service to public also as ‘Puta Kulla Avva’, means food and accommodation donor by taking money. [In olden days, hotels were maintained like that] With valuable gifts, they made the old woman i.e. Peda Rasi Peddamma [cousin to mother] happy.


They had narrated everything to Pedarasi Peddamma and sent the prince’s message to PadmaVathi. The old woman, Peda Rasi Peddamma had gone to PadmaVathi and told about the arrival of prince and other things regarding that. By hearing it, PadmaVathi had pretended anger. She had dipped her ten fingers in the Sandal powder paste, beaten the old woman on her cheeks and driven her out. The old woman, Peda Rasi Peddamma had frightened by that beats of princess and ran away from there like a deer from the paw of tiger. She had shown the beats on her cheek to the prince and said, “Enough! Enough! I think you have sent me by expecting this danger only. By having this much old age, I was deceived by you. This is not your fault. It is my fault to believe you.” Like this, she had swept with loud voice. The prince got shocked.


The Minister’s son had cooled Peda Rasi Peddamma. He had taken the prince to a lonely place and said, “Oh! Prince! That girl is not a normal girl. She is very wise. She had beaten on the cheeks of Peda Rasi Peddamma with ten fingers after dipping the fingers in the white sandal powder paste. By the way, she had conveyed the massage to you, as these days are moon light days. After 9 days, there will full moon day on 10th day. After that, nights will be dark. She asked you to come by that time.”


The Prince felt happy. He spent these 10 days in waiting. He felt these 10 days very long like eras.


On the 11th day, they had sent the old woman, Peda Rasi Peddamma by motivating her with valuable gifts. When Peda Rasi Peddamma informed the princess PadmaVathi, about the prince of Deva Puram, the princess again pretended anger. She had dipped her fingernails in the red saffron powder paste and beaten Peda Rasi Peddamma on her breast as three red marks were formed on her dress. She had driven Peda Rasi Peddamma through the back door of the Palace after scolding her. Peda Rasi Peddamma returned home and explained everything to the Prince and the son of Minister. Because this was happened second time, the prince felt sad. The Minister’s son observed it. He had made Peda Rasi Peddamma happy with money. Then he had taken the prince to lonely place and said, “Don’t worry my dear Prince! The girl asked you to reach her through the back door to her palace after 3 days, because now that girl is in her menstrual period. That’s why she had beaten Peda Rasi Peddamma on her breast to form as three red saffron marks and driven her through back door to her palace.”


The prince felt happy. On the 4th day night, the prince Vajra Kutudu had taken shower bathe and wore rich dress and ornaments. He reached the princess PadmaVathi through back door to her palace. Since that, they had enjoyed each other’s company for 10 days. The prince was extreme happy with his lover PadmaVathi. He almost forgotten his dear friend i.e. son of Minister. On 11th day, he could remember him. He felt sad about it. He thought, “How guilty I am. Since childhood, the Minister’s son and myself are living together like eye and eye-lid. We never departed from one another. Now, because of this love affair, or because of this young beautiful girl, we separated like this.”


By thinking like that, he was moody. PadmaVathi had observed this. She had asked “Oh Prince. You are not happy today like other days. Today you are moody and sad. Are you feeling bore with my company?” The Prince said, “No. No. Don’t think like that. I have no such opinion on you. I have a childhood friend. He is my Minister’s son. Since birth, that means since we were kids, we didn’t leave each other. Now since 10 days, because of your company I left him. That’s why I’m feeling sad and guilty. Nothing else!”


By hearing such, the Princess PadmaVathi pretended displease for few minutes. Later she had ordered her close servant-maids to bring Kheer [Sweet drink made up of milk and sugar] and poison. She had mixed the poison in the Kheer. She had given it to the Prince and said, “Oh Prince! You don’t worry. You go to your friend and give this Kheer as my gift. After he drink it, bring him here with you.”


The prince didn’t suspect anything wrong, because of his love on her. He had taken the kheer and approached his childhood friend, the Minister’s son. He had given the kheer to Minister’s son and asked him to drink. The Minister’s son had taken the vessel in to his hands and observed it. He said, “Oh Prince! Did you bring this poisonous kheer to kill me?”


The Prince felt shock. He thought, “How he is saying like this? With how much love I brought it, with that much love he has to drink it. Instead of drinking, he is suspecting me. He is opposing me.”


The Minister’s son observed all this. He came out the house to the street and called a street dog. He kept the kheer vessel in front of the dog. By drinking the kheer, the dog had died immediately. The prince said, “I didn’t suspect the coup.” They thought to take PadmaVathi to their city. The Minister’s son said, “Well, My dear Prince! Go to her and tell her that you had given kheer to me. Spend with her. When she is in deep sleep, you take her pearls garland from her neck. You pierce your three nails until the marks get print on her breast and come.” That night the Prince performed as said by the Minister’s son and brought the pearls garland.


Next day morning the Prince was in the disguise of disciple and the Minister’s son was in the disguise of his guru. Both of they sat near the Burial ground and pretending as doing penance. After some time, the Guru i.e. Minister’s son told the disciple i.e. the Prince as “You go to the Royal Street. Exhibit your pearls garland. When the king enquired you, you inform him about me and bring him here.”


The Prince had done like that. The king Uttana Pada came to notice that a Yogi’s disciple was exhibiting pearls garland to sell in the royal road. He called on him and enquired about its price. The prince in the disguise of disciple said, “Oh. King! I don’t know about it. My Guru i.e. teacher can tell you everything. You please come to visit him. He is doing penance near the burial ground.”


The King suspected that the garland belonged to his daughter PadmaVathi. Hence, he decided to visit the guru. He had gone to visit the Maya Yogi i.e. Pseudo Saint [Minister’s son] along with his minister. They had put Namaskar [wish] to the pseudo saint. The saint blessed them and asked them to sit near to him. The king enquired him about the peals garland. The saint said, “Oh king! I’m doing penance here. Every night I’m watching a beautiful young girl coming here. She is pulling out half burnt corpse from the fire and eating it by tearing it into pieces with crazy and hunger. After satisfying hunger, she is going towards your city. This is happening on every day night. To test her, I had objected her with my spear. I pierced my spear on her breast and asked her as ‘Who are you’. She was frightened. She had pulled off her pearls garland from her neck and given to me. She said, ‘Oh Saint! Please save me. Don’t reveal my secret to anybody.” I felt pity on her. I asked her “Oh girl! Who are you? Why are you doing this frightful act?” she said, “Oh Father! My name is PadmaVathi. Unless I do like this, my belly will not fill.” She ran away from me after saying this. That’s why this peals garland is not of mine. I had given this to my disciple to send it to its owner. Any way you came to notice. You please search for her and give this to her.”


The king Uttana Pada and his Minister had taken sendoff from that pseudo saint and his Pseudo disciple, returned to their city Nethra Puram. The king suspected his daughter PadmaVathi. After reaching the palace, he had called on his Queen and narrated all of the issue. He said, “Oh Queen! Go and check our daughter’s neck and breast.” She had gone to PadmaVathi and checked her neck and breast. There were 3 marks of injures. She asked her “PadmaVathi! Is this not your pearls garland?” PadmaVathi thought that her parents might inform about her love affair. With guilty fear and sad she down her head. The Queen returned to the king and informed everything. The king and Queen were shocked and sad. The king said, “Oh Minister! You make justice in this dispute. What can we do with the Princess PadmaVathi.” The Minister said, “Oh king! There is no other sin than killing of a woman. Hence, we can’t punish PadmaVathi with death sentence. Hence, drive her from our country. This is the right punishment to her”. The king ordered his soldiers, “Oh soldiers. Take our Princess PadmaVathi from her palace and leave her in the midst of thick forest.” The soldiers executed the king’s order and left PadmaVathi in the thick forest. She was crying there by scolding her fate. There the Prince Vajra Kutudu and his Minister’s son met her with their original get up. She recognized her lover. She expressed her repentance towards her attempt to kill the Minister’s son. They excused her. They had taken her to their city Devi Puram. There the parents of Vajra Kutudu accepted the marriage of PadmaVathi and their son, Vajra Kutudu.


Here in the city of Nethra Puram, the father of PadmaVathi, Uttana Pada died due to the grievance on his daughter. Her mother also died with the sorrow of husband death and daughter’s departure.


Bhethala told this story to Vikramadithiya and said, “Vikramadithya, in this story who is responsible to the sin of the death of King Uttana Pada and his wife? You have to give answer to this question.”


Vikramadhithya said, “Bhethala! The prince Vajra Kutudu, his Minister’s son and PadmaVathi had behaved according to their emotions. But being justice, while solving the dispute, the Minister of Nethra Puram didn’t perform his duty well. When the king deputed him to enquire into PadmaVathi’s case, the Minister didn’t allow her to present her argument. He didn’t give an opportunity to explain her version and her position. He had delivered his justice by base on one side version. Hence, this sin goes to the Minister of Nethra Puram.”


Bhethala had put the question. Vikramadithya had given reply to the question. The silence was broken. Immediately Bhethala along with the corpse on Vikramadithya’s shoulder disappeared. Vikramadithya noticed Bhethala again hanging from the Moduga tree.


OUT COMING SKILLS OF THIS STORY: When children read this story. They can thrill about the body language expressed by Padma Vathi and the analysis of that language done by the ministers’ son. Automatically they will learn to observe and analyze the body language of others in their surroundings. By the behavior of Peda Rasi Peddamma, children can understand the impact of money. When she had gone to the palace of Padmavathi as a messenger, the princess had pretended anger with her. Peda Rasi Peddamma felt grievance and shame for it. The same Peda Rasi Peddamma had forgotten the grievance and shame when the minister’s son had presented her money and gold ornaments. As well in this story. Vikramadithya’s reply is logical. Being Minister cum Justice, the minister of Nethra Puram should prosecute the case of Padmavathi. But he had delivered justice without enquiring into things. Hence, he became liable to the sin. This makes children to learn sensitive and logical thinking.