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.