20th STORY OF BHETHALA

THE STORY OF VYSYA GIRL

Again, Vikramadithya bound the corpse. Again, Bhethala told a story.

Bhethala said, “Oh. King, Listen…

Once a king Visarada was ruling a city Kanaka Puram. One day he was going on shire on the royal road. By that time, a Vysya girl came on his way. She was very beautiful. He wished to marry her. Next day he had called on his purohit [priest] Brahmin and told him about that girl. He had ordered the purohit [priest] to observe her horoscope. The purohit [priest] had gone to Vysya’s house and informed the king’s desire to him. He felt so happy. The purohit [priest] had asked for his daughter’s horoscope. The Vysya man had given it with obedience. The purohit [priest] had keenly observed it and returned to the king. He said, “Oh king! If you marry her, you will lose your kingdom as per her horoscope.” The king felt sad and despair. He didn’t like to allow her, such a beautiful girl to marry some unknown. Hence, he made his minister to marry her. Some days had passed.

One day the king was going on round in his city. At that time, the minister’s wife i.e. Vysya girl was on the terrace of minister’s house. The king had seen her. Once again, he felt crazy and love on her. He felt sad and in-satisfaction, as he could not get her company as his wife. The minister had observed all of this. He had called on his wife and said, “The king is crazy on you. You go to him and satisfy his desire.” Being wife, she had obeyed her husband. She had approached the king with beautiful dress and ornaments. The king Visarada thought, “She is other’s wife. I should not touch her. To enjoy with other woman is not moral. It is not safe to our country.” By thinking like this, the king had sent her back to her husband. But with such grievance, the king died within short period. The minister felt sad with this. He thought as “The king had died with the desire on my wife. Why should I live in this world?” Hence, with this grievance the minister had died.

Bhethala said, “Vikramadithya who is great in between the king and minister.” Vikramadithya said, “Bhethala! The minister had sent his wife to the king to save his master i.e. king’s life. The king had opportunity to enjoy her. Nobody was there to object him. But voluntarily he had avoided it for the sake of morals. He preferred death to become immoral. Hence, the king Visarada is great.”

When Vikramadithya had given reply, Bhethala disappeared and appeared on Moduga tree again.