By saying like this, the pillow kept calm. By knowing that the Vysya businessman was Vikramadithya Maharaja in that disguise, Hela Rambha felt very happy. As a symbol of her shy and acceptance of himself as her husband, she bowed her head. The king Jambu Natha Varma and others who were hearing all these stories surrounding that room were whispering with one another with great surprise. They thought, “We didn’t recognize this Vysya business man as Vikramadithya.” Hela Rambha had sat on the cot opposite to him until then. She had got up from the cot to express respects to Vikramadithya. She had kept namaskar to him and said, “Rajendra! Since we don’t know that you are Vikramadithya, I didn’t talk with you and treat you with respects. Please forgive me for these mistakes.” He smiled at her by hearing such sweet prayer. By that time, it was dawn.
There came the king Jambu Natha Varma and his ministers. They said, “Rajendra! For what we have done as mistakes, due to our un-awaritiveness, you please excuse us. Is it need for you to come to our city in this disguise unless it is an entertainment to you. If you desire this princess to marry, if you send that message, won’t we send her to Ujjain, won’t we perform marriage there itself?”
Vikramadithya treated them with courtesy and told the details of his arrival including the crocodile, the city in its stomach. All the princes and kings who were came there to participate in the Swayam Varam of Hela Rambha had approached Vikramadithya. They heard all the stories happened by that night. They got crazy on Vikramadithya. They had put namaskar to him. He had well treated all of them and made them to sit in their appropriate seats in the royal court.
Then Jambu Natha Varma had arranged for the marriage of Vikramadithya with Hela Rambha. The city was decorated with pandyals and flower garlands. On an auspicious day, while the purohit Brahmins were chanting the mantras and Yagnas were performing with Vedas, the marriage was performed. All the people had enjoyed the event. The king had arranged great feast, not only to the princes, kings, and relatives also to the entire people in his kingdom. Vikramadithya had spent there for few more days. Jambu Natha Varma had given large amount of gold, gems, diamond ornaments and chariots as gifts to his son-in-law, Vikramdithya. He had rewarded all the invitees, guests and send off them.
Vikramadithya had sent a soldier to call the Brahmin at whose home he had kept the son of Brahmin scholar i.e. Veda Kovida of Ujjain. There came the Brahmin along with the boy Vedantha Kovida. Vikramadithya had given all of the gifts to that Brahmin. Later he had taken send off from Jambu Natha Varma and his fellow people. The king and Queen had given send off to their daughter after educating her how to behave in mother-in-law’s house and with husband. Vikramadithya along with Hela Rambha and Vedantha Kovida had reached Ujjain by Bhethala. They had gone to the temple of Ujjain Maham Kali and taken the blessings of Goddess. Then they had reached the royal palace. Vikramadithya had left Hela Rambha at palace and gone to colony of Veda Kovida. He had met him and said “Oh Brahmin scholar, Veda Kovida! Here is the boy. You please verify whether he is your son Vedantha Kovida or not.” Veda Kovida had received his son with extreme joy. He had hugged and kissed the boy. He had bowed to the king and said, “Rajendra. Really, you are great. Within months, you had handed over my son who was swallowed by the crocodile as per your promise. There won’t be any king equal to you on this earth. You please forgive for the words which I said in the sorrow of my son’s death.”
Vikramadithya consoled him and rewarded him. Later he had explained every detail to Bhatti and other ministers by sitting on this throne. Like this, he had ruled the kingdom for 6 months and wandered tour on world for 6 months in a year.
[In Indian philosophy, Indians believe that we receive the result of the acts and works what we have done. The Brahmin host had accepted the boy as his guest when Vikramaidthya requested him to do so. He rejected the money offered by Vikramadithya who was in the disguise of Vysya businessman. He said that it is not moral to charge for a guest. As result of it, he had received valuable wealth. Like that, all Indian folk stories used to educate people to remember the philosophy and they used to inspirit them to do good others.]
The idol on the 3rd step, Komala Valli continued “Oh Bhoja Raja! If you have such good qualities of Vikramdithya such as donating wealth without doubt to others, strength, penance, treating of others equal to himself, patience, overcoming of anger, in you, you can climb up on to this throne. If you have no such qualities in you, without our warning, you should know that you could not climb up on to this. You think yourself.”
The king Bhoja Raja, his Prime Minister Budhi Sagara and other were extreme happy by hearing the story of Vikramdithya. With that happiness, they didn’t notice the time. By that time, it was beyond sunset. There was dark all around. People also had felt wonder about it. They felt thrilled by such mesmerized stories. All had gone their own houses. There came the moon in the sky. In that cool moon light, there was cool breeze, which was carrying the sweet smell of flowers. People who heard the stories were sharing them with others in that moon light. Every body’s face was delighted as equivalent to the moon in the sky. By the way, there were limitless moons on the floor of Dhaara Nagaram.
OUT COMING SKILLS: The philosophy in this story will inspire the readers to face their fate. As we know or don’t know, there should be some cause-act relation to the events happened in our life. The story of Kanthi Rupini leads the readers to face the sorrows and bitter events in the life with dare, adventure and patience.
Another interesting feature is there, in this story. If the son of Kanthi Rupini, Madana Sekhara brought up at the house of prostitute, his character could be entirely different. Because he was brought up, at palace by the king Gandheswara, his grandfather he leant Sasthras. He could meet his mother Kanthi Rupini and father Kanthi Rupudu. Goddess Kalika Devi had explained them about the secret behind the fate of people. There should be some hidden reason in our past for the present happenings in life. This philosophy will inspire the readers to do good always. By the way, the world will become more peaceful, beautiful and comfortable to all.
Showing posts with label STORIES TOLD BY 3rd IDOL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label STORIES TOLD BY 3rd IDOL. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
THE STORY TOLD BY PILLOW
The pillow was telling the remaining story.
It had continued …
Since the mid wife had the attitude of good and bad, because she was moral to some extent, she had left the baby beside the snake’s hill. The newborn kid was crying with cold air. The 5 headed king cobra which was living in that snakes’ hill had heard this sound. It came out. There was the newborn baby, which was cute and bright. The king cobra had paid his magic power i.e. knowledgeous vision. He came to know that this kid was the grandson of the king Gandheswara i.e. the son of his son Kanthi Rupudu. He thought, “The fore fathers of this kid were devoting our snake Gods and this snake hill since 21 generations by paying tributes with milk, fruits and gold. This boy also can serve to us and devote us. Hence, I have to adjoin this kid to his Grandfather, who was the king of this Chandra Giri.”
By thinking like this, the 5 headed king cobra Goddess had taken the kid into the temple of Goddess Kali Devi and kept it inside the inner temple.
In the morning, the king Gandheswara had came there along with his ministers and other officials as usual to devote Goddess Kalika Devi. While he was paying tributes, he heard the kids’ cry from inside. They felt wonder by hearing such cry from inner temple. They had checked inside. What a wonder! They had observed cute newborn baby i.e. boy there. The king felt very happy. He praised the Goddess Kali like anything. He thought, “This kid is a gift to me from Goddess. Because I lost my son, Goddess Kali mother had presented me this boy.” He had taken the kid to palace gave to his Queen. He said, “Since we are sinking in the ocean of sorrow of missing our son Kanthi Rupudu, Goddess Kali had blessed us with this kid. We had found him in the inner temple.”
By watching the kid, his Queens said, “Oh king! Really, God is great. What a wonder is this? You see this boy looks like our own son Kanthi Rupudu. When Kanthi Rupudu born, he was just like this kid only.”
Every body wondered to such natural phenomena. They had given ‘Madana Sekhara’ name to the boy. They were bringing him up with high care, love and affection. As growing, he learnt many sasthras, war arts and other talents. He had grown up to 20 years age. One day he had gone on a visit to city on a chariot along with his near friends. The news had spread in the city. People gathered on roads to see their prince. His chariot entered into the prostitutes’ street. Everybody was talking about this. While the servant-maids were talking about the prince i.e. son of Gandheswara, Kanthi Rupini heard it. At once, she thought that her husband Kanthi Rupudu had found. She rushed to balcony. She had seen the prince with keen observation and eager. At the same time, Madana sekhara had seen her. She thought, “What a wonder! Is this my husband Kanthi Rupudu?” She had seen him for few more minutes in deep. She thought, “He looks almost as Kanthi Rupudu. But he is younger. He is not my husband Kanthi Rupudu.” Immediately she got sense of herself. She trembled with fear. She had thought, “Why I had seen this man with keen observation. If others watch me, what they will think about me? It is not good to me.” like a flashlight, she had rushed to inside from balcony.”
Madana Sekhara had observed all of this. He had thought, “Why this woman had seen me with keen observation. There is something strange in her eyes. She is very beautiful. Just like a flash, she had disappeared. It was as if the moon disappearance behind the clouds. Something is attracting me towards her. Who might be she? I should know about her.”
After visit on city, Madana Sekhara returned to his palace. With friends, he had taken food, drinks and relaxed. He had taken 1000 Honnes [the then currency] and given to his near friend. He said, “Oh my dear friend. I want to say a secret to you. Today when we had gone to city tour, I had seen a beautiful woman in the prostitute street. I have interest on her. You go to that house, give this money to that house owner and arrange my meeting with her.”
This friend also had seen Kanthi Rupini when she was observing keenly Madana Sekhara. He had observed Madana Sekhar’s absent-mindedness after that incident. Hence, he had assured the prince and gone to Soundara Valli’s house. By that time, Kanthi Rupini was decorating the house with flowers as in the part of her daily work. The friend of prince had seen her keenly. He thought, “This woman is really beautiful. We never see such a beauty on this earth. My friend i.e. prince had crazy on her because of this rare beauty and delicacy in her. Let me talk to the boss of this prostitute house, Soundarya Valli.” By receiving the news of the arrival of prince’s friend, Soundarya Valli welcomed him, treated him with regards. She had given him seat and sweets. She felt very happy about this event. She said, “Oh great man! You came here by treating me as famous. By your arrival, my life got success. My house becomes holy. Our elders used to say that great people do not come to anywhere unless they have appropriate reason. That’s why, I request you to explain the reason of your visit. We have to entertain people. In such case if our service entertains the people like you, it will be grateful to us.”
The prince’s friends said, “Soundarya Valli! I’m happy with your welcome. And I’m pleased with your conversation. Really, you are talented. By knowing that you are the best among the prostitutes in our city, I came to you. Among the prostitutes in our city, your qualities are famous. Here is the information to you from our prince Madana Sekhara. When the prince came on city tour, he had seen some beautiful woman at your house. He had desire to enjoy with her company. This is the royal work. He is our prince and future king. Being citizens, we should serve them. You are the prostitute by profession. Since generations, your family is in the some profession. Hence, there is no need for me to remind your duty. Here is your gift, 1000 Honnes. Take this money and satisfy our prince. What do you say?” [In ancient India, kings and people as a profession patronized the prostitution. The prostitutes used to dance in temples and royal courts. They used to participate in devotional programs. As well, they used to entertain men with their talents and sex.]
By hearing the words of prince’s friend, Soundarya Valli felt very happy. She had thought, “My daughter who was earning by prostitute profession had died. Since 20 years, I’m living without earnings by investing the savings. In such case who will look after me in future, in my further old age? After so long time I got this offer. This man had came to pay me 1000 Honnes. It is really luck to me. By moral or immoral, as prior we have to earn money. Otherwise, how to live comfortable?”
She said, “Oh great man! This is your house. Nobody is here to object you. I’m not disobedient to prince. He can come at any time. Always this house doors are open to him. That woman is my daughter like. He can enjoy her company.”
The prince’s friend had paid 1000 Honnes to her and fixed the prince’s appointment by that night. He returned to the prince. He said, “Oh prince! Madana Sekhara! I had seen that woman. Really, she is beautiful. She looks like Rambha, Urvasi, Thilothama etc divine women. She is Soundarya Valli’s daughter. Soundarya Valli is the famous prostitute in our city. She had agreed to our deal. You can visit her house by this night.”
The prince Madana Sekhara heard all of this. He had thought, “She is prostitute’s daughter. Hence, we have no relation with her. There is no such possibility even. Then why I had attraction on her? There is something strange. I must locate for it. If there is not anything strange, let me enjoy with her. It is not wrong to enjoy with prostitute. Anyway, today night I’ll go to that prostitute’s house.”
By night, after dinner Madana Sekhara got dressed up with beautiful colored silk dress and ornaments. He was eager to meet Kanthi Rupini. By hearing that she was a prostitute, he had some lust on her. But his sixth sense or natural instinct was warning him as something guilty was somewhere. With this suspicion and anxiety, he had reached the prostitutes’ street. He had left all his royal signs. It was night by 15 Ghadiyas time. [The then measure of time] It was dark. He was walking lonely. In that dark even, he could recognize Soundarya Valli’s house. Suddenly, a big blow of wind was there. All the lamps in the house had put off. Madana Sekhara didn’t stop. He was eager to go into the house. He stepped on a smooth thing. By sensing the smooth touch he jumped over it and going. There was a black cow and its calf tied by rope to a pillar. The prince didn’t notice the animals due to dark. He had stepped on the tail of calf and jumped over it. After jumping, the prince got doubt about the object on which he stepped. He had turn back to check up.
By that time, the calf said, “Mother! What time is this? This prince had stepped on my tail. Again, he jumped over it. He is going on.” The cow had replied “My dear calf! Do you think that it is a wonder as jump over your tail? This prince is a sin fellow. He is going to enjoy sex with his mother. To such sin doing fellow, will you be an obstacle or will me be an obstacle or will God be an obstacle? There is no doubt about such people as they can do much more sins. You keep quite. If we talk about such people, it will be a sin to us.”
The prince knew the language of animals. He was shocked. He had thought, “Oh God! I thought that the woman whom I had seen is prostitute. I came here to enjoy lust with prostitute. On the other hand, my inner sense is warning me. I sensed something strange. How that woman could be my mother? But, why the animals say bluff? Why should my sixth sense saying something strange is here. Why my soul gets attractive towards her? I’m very younger. My father Gandheswara king is very old man. There should be some secret in my birth. I should know it. We should not take any decision without investigating the details till end.”
By thinking like this, Madana Sekhara had prepared his mind with balance. He had gone inside. Soundarya Valli had received him as if he was Devendra, the king of deities. She had offered him to wait in the bedroom. The bedroom was decorated with flowers, perfumes and lights. They had arranged an attractive bed there. The prince had sat on the bed with deep thinking.
Soundarya Valli had approached Kanthi Rupini and said, “Oh girl! Rupa Vathi! I’m protecting you since 20 years. Whenever I forced you to adopt my profession, you protested my proposal. The young and rich men in this city were harassing me since your disagreement to my proposal. Somehow, I had bared all this and protecting you with all comforts. But today, the prince of this city had came to our house to enjoy with you. You should obey me now. Otherwise, we will lose our heads.”
Kanthi Rupini asked her, “Prince means who he is?” Soundarya Valli said, “Madana Sekharudu.” By hearing this, Kanthi Rupini had closed her ears with two hands and said, “Oh God! How bitter is this! Please do not say such words to me. I can’t do such immoral and sin activities, in which ever manner you force me. Please leave me.” But Soundarya Valli didn’t leave her. She was trying to convince Kanthi Rupini. Kanthi Rupini had thought, “It is my sin to live after the missing of my husband. If I die on that day itself, I could escape from the blame of pregnancy, the king’s punishment and the present prostitute’s harassment. What a bad lucky person I am? How bitter my fate is! Whenever I notice that this house is of a prostitute, on that day itself, I should commit suicide. Oh God! Please save me from this disaster.”
By thinking like this, Kanthi Rupini kept calm. By watching her silence, Soundarya Valli thought, “Silence is half agreement. This RupaVathi had agreed to my deal. Without knowing this technique, I had wasted so much of time. Otherwise, I could earn much within these 20 years. Anyway, first let me take this woman to the bedroom at which the prince is waiting. It is not safe to keep him in further waiting.”
By force, she had kept Kanthi Rupini in the bedroom and closed the doors. Kanthi Rupini was helpless and horrified. She was shocked with fear. She was standing beside the cot by holding its frame. She was not able to notice anything in her surroundings. With surprise, Madana Sekhara got up from the cot. He had seen her face. Being kid, he didn’t drink her breast milk. The milk from her breast had spread on his face. With this miraculary incident, his shock, surprise and guilty concept had driven him from there. Immediately he had returned to his palace. Soundarya Valli had watched the departure of prince from her house. She had worried since the prince didn’t spend much time there. Immediately she had rushed into the bedroom. There Kanthi Rupini stood beside the cot by holding its frame like a statue. Soundarya Valli got severe anger with her. She shouted, “Oh Devil! You had demolished my house. Oh God! I don’t know that which type of punishment that I’m going to receive from the king.” Soundarya Valli was crying and scolding Kanthi Rupini. Kanthi Rupini didn’t react further.
Like this, the night passed. It was early in the morning. The sun was like a red fruit in the East. There was cool breeze. The flowers were blossom and all surroundings were filled with sweet smells. The birds were singing. The morning devotions, mantras and temple bells sounds were spreading in the city. The king and Queen had finished their daily works such as bathe etc. The king and the ministers were ready to go to the temple of Goddess Kali Devi as usual. By that time, every day, the prince Madana Sekhara used to be there before all others. But he was not there on that day. The king had sent servants to invite him to the temple. Since the return from Soundarya Valli’s house, Madana Sekhara was very sad and confused. He had laid on bed with desperation. The servants had informed to the king as the prince was not active and he lay on the bed with desperation. The king worried like anything. He rushed to the suit of the prince. Madana Sekhara was on the bed. His face was like a folded flower. The hair was not combed. His eyes were filled with tears. The king was shocked by his appearance. He had held him in hands and said, “My dear son. Why, what is the reason? Why are you like this? You are not cheer up. What happened?”
Madana Sekhara said, “Father! I have some doubts. If you promise me to clear my doubts, then I’ll take bathe and food. Otherwise I’ll be like this only.”
Gandheswara said, “My child. I promise you. I’ll do whatever you like. Get and
have bathe. Take your food and come to the court.” Madana Sekhara had completed his bathe and went to the court. Gandheswara said, “My son! Tell me, what are your doubts?” Madana Sekhara said, “Father! You are bringing me up with love and affection. Nobody said anything. Till date, I feel that you and the Queen are my parents. But, now, I have some doubts. That’s why I’m asking like this. Are you my parents? Otherwise, are you bringing me up? Did I have some other parents who had given birth to me? Let me clear this doubt. Otherwise, I don’t like to live. This is my promise.”
By hearing this, Gandheswara felt a cyclone thunder. He trembled with fear and surprise. He thought with sorrow “Oh God! What a danger is this? My own son had missed since long time. My daughter-in-law got pregnancy and punished to be in forest. In that sorrow, I found this kid in the temple. By thinking that he is the gift of God, we are bringing him up. But, now, he is speaking like a thunder in the sky. What I have to do? If I bluff, regarding his birth details he may not believe. Moreover, he may not be with us. It is not safe. Let be happen whatever it happen. But it is always safe to tell truth only.”
By thinking like this, Gandheswara hugged and kissed Madana Sekhara. He said, “My dear child! Why you have this type of doubts today, I don’t know. By thinking that it will be a great disaster, you had taken such severe promises. If you want to know, there is no secrecy here. I’ll tell your birth details. Listen carefully; I had a son by name Kanthi Rupudu. He was very handsome. By search all over, I had performed his marriage with appropriate beautiful princess by name Kanthi Rupini. I made them to live peacefully in the 7-stared palace at the end of our city with all comforts and servants. They were always lived together. They had love and affection towards each other. Among those days, suddenly my son had missed from the palace. We don’t know what was the faith and sin my daughter-in-law had conceived pregnancy. How she could conceive pregnancy without the company of husband? The security to that palace was very tight. She was surrounded with servant-maids. Nobody knew anything. As a punishment, I had sent her to forest. We don’t know whether she died or alive or given birth to any baby. Some time passed. My wives and myself were crying for our missed son and fate of my daughter-in-law. As usual, one day I had gone to the temple of Goddess Durga. You were there in the inner temple. It seems that you were like newborn baby. I had taken you as if you were the gift of Goddess Kali to us. I brought you to palace and gave to my wives. We had brought you up with love and affection. You are my life. I made you as prince of my kingdom. And you only the future king to this kingdom.”
Madana Sekhara kept calm for some time. He thought, “I was not born to this king and Queen. I was found in the temple. The black cow had said that I had gone to enjoy sex with my mother. The woman in the prostitute was strange. Why her breast milk had spread on my face? I must know the details. Nobody is here to tell me such. It is possible to investigate into my birth secret, by questioning the prostitute Soundarya Valli and the woman there i.e. Rupa Vathi.”
He said with the king Gandheswara “Father! I got some peace by hearing your words. But without knowing the complete secret of birth, I can’t be peaceful. Please call on the prostitute Soundarya Valli and a woman Rupa Vathi who is living in our city. We have to enquire them. I hope that they know my birth secret.”
The king surprised to this. But he decided to enquire until end. He ordered his soldiers to bring Soundarya Valli and Rupa Vathi. The soldiers had conveyed the King’s order to Soundarya Valli. Soundarya Valli trembled with fear. She said with Rupa Vathi “Oh Devil. You are like a ghost towards me. Where I found you as per my fate? I had protected you long time as if you are my own daughter. Is it resulting for it? You became like a snake beneath my pillow. Last night, how many ways I counseled you? But you didn’t pay attention. You burnt my life. You had ill-treated and shown disregards towards the prince. He might be anger with me. Otherwise, we don’t receive the king’s soldiers with a message of the king’s order to attend the court within short period. Oh God! May be my head won’t lie an my neck. The king’s order will be rude enough! Oh Rupa Vathi! Please let me know what happened in the bedroom at least now itself. If you tell me without hiding, I can think how to convince the prince. Otherwise, we should receive death as a punishment. Please tell me.” Kanthi Rupini didn’t know anything i.e. what happened on the night. Since she was in deep shock. She didn’t know about the observation of prince, the spreading of her breast milk on his face. That’s why she kept calm. On the other hand, the soldiers were warning Soundarya Valli to move. Soundarya Valli scolded Rupa Vathi and said, “Enough! Why should I scold you? This is all my fate! Being experienced prostitute now, I’m facing king’s enquiry and punishment because of you. By this time, it is safe to tell the truth what I know. By the way God will save me, and God may forgive me.”
Soundarya Valli and Rupa Vathi had arrived to the court along with the king’s soldiers. By watching them, the king Gandheswara had recognized his daughter-in-law Kanthi Rupini. He got tears by watching her in such a situation. He didn’t reveal anything. Some of his ministers also recognized her but kept calm. Gandheswara had controlled himself and started to enquire them. He called on Soundarya Valli. She stood obediently before him with folded hands. He said, “Soundarya Valli! You brought this woman along with you. Who is she? Is she your daughter or not? You will be alive if you say the truth. Don’t try to bluff. It is no use of it. Don’t think that we cannot identify what you say. This is the royal court. Here the judges and ministers are scholars. They can identify what is truth and what is false. Without fear, tell us the truth.”
Soundarya Valli was trembling with extreme fear. She said, “Oh Maharaja! I tell the truth as it is happened. If I had done any mistake, please forgive me. I had a daughter. She was beautiful and talented. But due to my fate, she had died by failing in delivering a baby. When she was alive, doing prostitution my house was always with full of gallants and young men. When she died, nobody came to perform post death ceremony even, to her. I felt helpless and lonely. Since I had no alternative, on that day I had taken the corpse of my daughter to the burial ground. I was burning it at night. After mid night i.e. by 15 Ghadiyas in the night, the woman RupaVathi had came there. She tried to jump into fire of corpse and die. By that time, she was pregnant of matured months. I pitied on her. I had consoled her, convinced her and taken to my house. I had protected her as if she is my own daughter. Since she is beautiful, I had desired to earn by making her to do prostitution; after delivery. One day she was suffering from delivery pains. I had called on midwife and ordered her to tie Rupa Vathi’s eyes by cloth. I bribed the midwife to kill the baby of Rupa Vathi if it is boy. I asked her to protect if the baby is girl. Oh, king! Please forgive me for this kid’s murder. In my profession of prostitution, girls will be assets to us. We don’t need boys. We used to think that it would be waste to bring up the boy. The mid wife had accepted my deal. Pity! This woman Rupa Vathi had given birth to a boy. The mid wife had taken the baby out. I don’t know whether that mid wife had killed the baby or not. Later I kept wooden doll beside Rupa Vathi and told her that she had given birth to that only. Rupa Vathi said, “Mother. I heard that the crying of kid now. How this wooden doll is here?” I said, “You are in semi conscious state with delivery pains. More over you have the hope to have a child. Hence, you might hear such cries. You had delivered this wooden doll only. If you delivery a live baby, what I can do with that kid? It might be your fate. Don’t cry for what happened. It is not safe to cry after delivery.” I had cured her with medicines, service and counseling. I let her for some more months. Later I tried to make her to do prostitution. But she didn’t obey me. She said that her husband had missed. She had committed as chaste woman. When I forced her to earn money by doing prostitution, she said, “Mother. Please don’t force me. You don’t feel that why should you feed me as a waste. Any way you are maintaining servant-maids in your house. I also do service at your house works. Let me have food for such service like your other servant-maids. But don’t force me to do prostitution. If you force me, there is no alternative to me except death.” Since that, she is doing service in my house as housekeeper. By that way, yester day …”
Gandheswara had destructed her and said, “Enough, enough. Stop your long narration. Who is that mid wife? Where she lives?” Soundarya Valli told. The soldiers immediately brought the mid wife to the king’s court. The king Gandheswara said, “Oh Mid wife! Do you know this Soundarya Valli and that woman, Rupa Vathi?” With fear, mid wife replied “Yes Maharaja”.
The king said, “In which manner, you know her. Let us know.” The mid wife said, “Oh Maha raja! Since many years back, this Soundarya Valli had called on me to attend the delivery of this woman Rupa Vathi. Her eyes were tied with a cloth. This woman had given birth to a cute boy. Soundarya Valli had offered me money to kill the kid. I had accepted that deal with the desire on money. Oh, king please forgives me for this. I had taken the baby and came out of that house. I had reached the end of our city near the temple of Goddess Kalika Devi. I had seen the face of baby. The baby was smiling at me. It was cute baby. There was glory in its face. I was not able to kill the baby. I left the baby beside the snake hill in which we believe that 5 headed snake God is there. Later I had gone home. I don’t know what happened further.”
The king Gandheswara said with Rupa Vathi “Oh girl. Who are you? Is Rupa Vathi your real name? What is your native? Who are your parents? Why did you reach the burial ground? Being pregnant why did you attempted suicide by jumping into the fire of corpse? Is it not the sin? What is your past? Let us know.” She didn’t lift her face. She was watching her feet only. She said, “Oh Rajendra! Mahendra Giri is my native. The king of Mahendra Giri, Maheswardu is my father. They call me as Kanthi Rupini. My husband is the prince of Chandra Giri i.e. the son of King Gandheswara, by name Kanthi Rupudu. My father-in-law had kept us in 7-stared royal palace to lead daily life in peace. We lived there together like sun God and Goddess Chaya for some time. Days passed. What happened, I don’t know. One day we slept on terrace as usual. When early in the morning when I woke up, my husband was not beside me. I searched all over the palace. I didn’t find him. Through servant-maids, I had intimated this to my father-in-law. He had taken appropriate acts to search for him. I was living in the same palace with my servant-maids by waiting for my husband. I don’t know any sin. Miraculary, I had conceived the pregnancy. The servant-maids had informed to my father-in-law. He felt shy and blame of public. They had punished me by dropping me in the midst of forest by night. I didn’t know the way. More over I didn’t have desire to live. I had searched ways to commit suicide. I had gone across the wild animals. But unfortunately, no wild animal had hurt me. By that time, I had seen a fire light at far to me. I walked in that direction. I decided to leave this body, which got the blame of public by jumping in to the fire. What happened further you had heard by Soundarya Valli. But yesterday…”
Gandheswara disturbed her. He said, “Soundarya Valli! While explaining you tried to say something by saying yesterday. Now this woman also used the same word yesterday. What happened yester day. You say first. Later I’ll enquire her.”
Soundarya Valli said, “Maha raja! Yesterday, our Prince Madana Sekhara’s friend came to my house and informed me that our prince is interested to visit my house by night. The prince’s friend had given me 1000 Honnes and ordered me to arrange to entertain the prince, with this woman Rupa Vathi. As our profession is prostitution, I felt happy for the opportunity. I conveyed my acceptance. I tried to convince this woman to attend the prince. She didn’t accept. By night our prince came. I made him to wait in the bedroom. With force, I had dropped Rupa Vathi in that room. Within one minute, the prince had left my house. I had scolded this woman for that. Mean while your soldiers informed me to attend the royal court. Truly, this was happened.”
When the king Gandheswara enquired Rupa Vathi, she also confirmed it. Gandheswara said, “My son Madana Sekhara! With this enquiry, do you get clarification of your doubts?” Madana Sekhara said, “Father! Everything is in sequence like beads in the garland. But there are some gaps. How to confirm that the baby kept by the mid wife beside the snake’s hill is the same as the baby who did you find in the temple? Yesterday when I had gone on city tour, I had seen this woman watching me with keen eye. I had surprised. I found something attraction and relation there. I sent my friend to enquire. He informed me that the woman was the daughter of prostitute Soundarya Valli. Hence, I thought that there won’t be any possibility that I related to this woman but my mind was thinking about her always. I sensed something abnormal. I wanted to find out. By night, I had gone to Soundarya Valli’s house. In the dark, I had stepped on the tail of cow’s calf. The cow had scolded me that I was lustful man and was going to enjoy with my mother. With shock and surprise, I had gone inside. Soundarya Valli asked me to wait in the bedroom. After some time she had brought this Rupa Vathi and left us lonely. I had seen Rupa Vathi’s face. Miracle! Her breast milk had spread on my face. Immediately I return to the palace. There I sensed that there must be some secret regarding my birth. That’s why I requested you to do this enquiry. But still I have doubts whether the I am the son of this Rupa Vathi or not. As per midwife words she had left the son of Rupa Vathi beside snake’s hill. As per your words, you had found me in the inner temple. Hence, let us go to the temple of Goddess Kali Devi. She only can clear our doubts. Let’s go to the temple and devote her. Don’t waste time with words. Let’s go immediately. Come fast.” Madana Sekhara was eager to know and to go to the temple. All the Queens were informed this. They had recognized their daughter-in-law, Kanthi Rupini. The king along with ministers, teachers, scholars and people had gone to temple. Madana Sekhara had performed devotion to Goddess Kalika Devi. He had prayed her “Oh Mother! You are mother to every living being in this world. Let my mother get rid of blame. Let me get rid of sin. You should clarify our doubts and reveal the secrets of my birth. Otherwise I’ll cut off my head at your feet.”
He got ready to scarify his life by cutting his head with sword. Goddess Kalika Devi had appeared in front of them. She said, “Madana Sekhara! Gandheswara! Listen. The mid wife had left the baby beside the snake’s hill. The baby was crying. By hearing that, the 5 head snake Goddess had came out and watched the baby. She had noticed that the baby was your grandson with her magical power. Because your family is devotees to her since generations, she had kept the baby in the inner temple, here. You had taken him and brought up him by name Madana Sekhara. Madana Sekhara’s mother is this Rupa Vathi alias Kanthi Rupini only. Due to Kanthi Rupudu only, Kanthi Rupini had conceived the pregnancy. Because Madana Sekhara is the son of your son, he was made to reach you, as the valuable object reaches its own true owner. Hence, you be happy.”
Gandheswara said, “Oh mother! You are so kind to us. What you said is true. We know this all. But still we had a doubt. You said that Madana Sekhara is my grandson i.e. the son of my son. My son was missed from the specially built 7-stared royal palace for him. This happened before Kanthi Rupini conceived pregnancy. Then how this Madana Sekhara born to him. Please let us know.”
Goddess Kalika Devi smiled at him with affection. She said “Son. You are asking the secret of other world. Because you are my devotees and victims, I’m saying that to you. One night your son and daughter-in-law were sleeping on their terrace. By that time, 7 Yakshinies were travelling in the air after taking bathe in the beautiful lake beside your city. They used to do such on every full moon night. By watching your son’s handsome appearance, they had taken him with their magical powers to their world. They were enjoying with your son on turns. After some days, they felt pity on your daughter-in-law. Because she is his own wife, they had decided to give her one turn. As per such, they used to drop him on every 8th night on the bed of Kanthi Rupini and brought him back before morning. Because of the 7 Yakshinies magical power, no body including your daughter-in-law, her servant-maids and security guards was able to notice it. After few months, your daughter-in-law conceived pregnancy. Any way past is passed. Due to your fate, you all including yourself, your wives, son, daughter-in-law and your grand son had faced such sorrows. To anybody, fate is unavoidable. Due to your past acts, including good and bad, your fate will be designed. Hence, everybody should always do good. This is unavoidable to any living being in any world. Even deities also cannot escape from this system. What now the 7 Yakshinies have done, they will receive the appropriate fate in future. Hence, now you don’t cry for what happened. Now you locate the way by which you can get back your son. I can punish the 7 Yakshinies. But before that, I want to give a choice to them to realize their sin. Let Kanthi Rupini do Monday devotion towards 7 Yakshinies. If she does penance towards them, they will come to her. Let her ask them ‘her husband’ as a boon. Let me watch what they will do.”
Goddess Kalika Devi had blessed them and disappeared. Madana Sekhara had fallen on the feet of Kanthi Rupini and cried like anything. In the same situation, she had lifted him and hugged him. The king also had wept. All the people around them had tears in their eyes. The king and ministers had consoled the mother and son i.e. Kanthi Rupini and Madana Sekhara. King Gandheswara said, “Oh my daughter-in-law, Kanthi Rupini. You are like my mother. How many difficulties you had faced. My child, forgive me. I had done mistake in your case without knowing the truth. You are chaste woman. Without noticing it, I had driven you to forest. Because of your holiness, today it was happened to meet all of us. We had appearance of Goddess Durga because of your sincerity only.” His wives had received their daughter-in-law with joy and tears in the eyes.
Gandheswara returned to the court. He said, with Soundarya Valli, “Oh Soundarya Valli! You had troubled my daughter-in-law to do prostitution. You are eligible to get punishment for it. But you had saved my daughter-in-law who was pregnant from death. You had protected her since 20 years with food and shelter. That’s why I excused you.” He had given so many gifts including gold and money to her and sent her. He called on midwife and said, “You are really kind woman. Unless you left the baby beside the snake’s hill without killing, we could not get our grandson. You are really great.” He had given much more gifts to her including gold and gems.
On the other hand, Kanthi Rupini was on fasting on every Monday and doing penance towards 7 Yakshinies. On the 7th Monday, the 7 Yakshinies had appeared to her. She prayed them “Oh Yakshini women! Being chaste woman, I won’t desire anything else except my husband’s company. Please bless me to be with my husband.”
They had came to know what happened since her pregnancy up to the appearance of Goddess Kalika Devi to her; with their magical power and vision of knowledge. They had realized their mistake and sin. They thought, “With craze on a handsome man, how much sin we had done. With our magical powers we had taken him off from his wife. We separated loving wife and husband. More over we made him to forget everything. Not by leaving like that, we dropped him on turn on the bed of his wife. As a result, how many difficulties this Kanthi Rupini had faced. Our crime, our sin and we are the reasons for the separation of loving wife and husband, son and his parents as well loving mother and son. By the way, we became as the reason for their difficulties. This is because of our ego, we have magical powers. This Kanthi Rupini is a chaste woman. It is better to return her husband before she curse us.”
They had apologized her and returned Kanthi Rupudu to her. They had gone to Goddess Kalika Devi’s temple. Because they had realized themselves, they had sacrificed their magical powers at the feet of Goddess Kalika Devi’s and went to forest to penance by leaving their Yakshinies luxurious life.
In the palace, Kanthi Rupudu had realized and remembered all. He had recognized his loving wife Kanthi Rupini. He had hugged her. He had fallen on to the feet of his parents. King Gandheswara had narrated what happened in his absence. He had shown Madana Sekhara. Kanthi Rupudu had received everybody with great love. All had chattered until they get satisfaction. They had narrated one another about the happenings. Kanthi Rupudu had enjoyed the company of his loving wife, son and parents. After some years, Gandheswara had made Kanthi Rupudu as king of Chandra Giri and went to forest to do penance. Kanthi Rupudu had coroneted his son Madana Sekhara as a prince i.e. future king and ruled his kingdom with morals. In his ruling, people were happy and peaceful.
Do you hear, oh Vikramadithya in the disguise of Vysya businessman! You are the king of kings. You are capable to do anything. Because of your greatness, though we have no talkative power, we were able to tell you stories. Otherwise, we can’t tell any, even in the presence of deities. Here is the end of my narration.”
It had continued …
Since the mid wife had the attitude of good and bad, because she was moral to some extent, she had left the baby beside the snake’s hill. The newborn kid was crying with cold air. The 5 headed king cobra which was living in that snakes’ hill had heard this sound. It came out. There was the newborn baby, which was cute and bright. The king cobra had paid his magic power i.e. knowledgeous vision. He came to know that this kid was the grandson of the king Gandheswara i.e. the son of his son Kanthi Rupudu. He thought, “The fore fathers of this kid were devoting our snake Gods and this snake hill since 21 generations by paying tributes with milk, fruits and gold. This boy also can serve to us and devote us. Hence, I have to adjoin this kid to his Grandfather, who was the king of this Chandra Giri.”
By thinking like this, the 5 headed king cobra Goddess had taken the kid into the temple of Goddess Kali Devi and kept it inside the inner temple.
In the morning, the king Gandheswara had came there along with his ministers and other officials as usual to devote Goddess Kalika Devi. While he was paying tributes, he heard the kids’ cry from inside. They felt wonder by hearing such cry from inner temple. They had checked inside. What a wonder! They had observed cute newborn baby i.e. boy there. The king felt very happy. He praised the Goddess Kali like anything. He thought, “This kid is a gift to me from Goddess. Because I lost my son, Goddess Kali mother had presented me this boy.” He had taken the kid to palace gave to his Queen. He said, “Since we are sinking in the ocean of sorrow of missing our son Kanthi Rupudu, Goddess Kali had blessed us with this kid. We had found him in the inner temple.”
By watching the kid, his Queens said, “Oh king! Really, God is great. What a wonder is this? You see this boy looks like our own son Kanthi Rupudu. When Kanthi Rupudu born, he was just like this kid only.”
Every body wondered to such natural phenomena. They had given ‘Madana Sekhara’ name to the boy. They were bringing him up with high care, love and affection. As growing, he learnt many sasthras, war arts and other talents. He had grown up to 20 years age. One day he had gone on a visit to city on a chariot along with his near friends. The news had spread in the city. People gathered on roads to see their prince. His chariot entered into the prostitutes’ street. Everybody was talking about this. While the servant-maids were talking about the prince i.e. son of Gandheswara, Kanthi Rupini heard it. At once, she thought that her husband Kanthi Rupudu had found. She rushed to balcony. She had seen the prince with keen observation and eager. At the same time, Madana sekhara had seen her. She thought, “What a wonder! Is this my husband Kanthi Rupudu?” She had seen him for few more minutes in deep. She thought, “He looks almost as Kanthi Rupudu. But he is younger. He is not my husband Kanthi Rupudu.” Immediately she got sense of herself. She trembled with fear. She had thought, “Why I had seen this man with keen observation. If others watch me, what they will think about me? It is not good to me.” like a flashlight, she had rushed to inside from balcony.”
Madana Sekhara had observed all of this. He had thought, “Why this woman had seen me with keen observation. There is something strange in her eyes. She is very beautiful. Just like a flash, she had disappeared. It was as if the moon disappearance behind the clouds. Something is attracting me towards her. Who might be she? I should know about her.”
After visit on city, Madana Sekhara returned to his palace. With friends, he had taken food, drinks and relaxed. He had taken 1000 Honnes [the then currency] and given to his near friend. He said, “Oh my dear friend. I want to say a secret to you. Today when we had gone to city tour, I had seen a beautiful woman in the prostitute street. I have interest on her. You go to that house, give this money to that house owner and arrange my meeting with her.”
This friend also had seen Kanthi Rupini when she was observing keenly Madana Sekhara. He had observed Madana Sekhar’s absent-mindedness after that incident. Hence, he had assured the prince and gone to Soundara Valli’s house. By that time, Kanthi Rupini was decorating the house with flowers as in the part of her daily work. The friend of prince had seen her keenly. He thought, “This woman is really beautiful. We never see such a beauty on this earth. My friend i.e. prince had crazy on her because of this rare beauty and delicacy in her. Let me talk to the boss of this prostitute house, Soundarya Valli.” By receiving the news of the arrival of prince’s friend, Soundarya Valli welcomed him, treated him with regards. She had given him seat and sweets. She felt very happy about this event. She said, “Oh great man! You came here by treating me as famous. By your arrival, my life got success. My house becomes holy. Our elders used to say that great people do not come to anywhere unless they have appropriate reason. That’s why, I request you to explain the reason of your visit. We have to entertain people. In such case if our service entertains the people like you, it will be grateful to us.”
The prince’s friends said, “Soundarya Valli! I’m happy with your welcome. And I’m pleased with your conversation. Really, you are talented. By knowing that you are the best among the prostitutes in our city, I came to you. Among the prostitutes in our city, your qualities are famous. Here is the information to you from our prince Madana Sekhara. When the prince came on city tour, he had seen some beautiful woman at your house. He had desire to enjoy with her company. This is the royal work. He is our prince and future king. Being citizens, we should serve them. You are the prostitute by profession. Since generations, your family is in the some profession. Hence, there is no need for me to remind your duty. Here is your gift, 1000 Honnes. Take this money and satisfy our prince. What do you say?” [In ancient India, kings and people as a profession patronized the prostitution. The prostitutes used to dance in temples and royal courts. They used to participate in devotional programs. As well, they used to entertain men with their talents and sex.]
By hearing the words of prince’s friend, Soundarya Valli felt very happy. She had thought, “My daughter who was earning by prostitute profession had died. Since 20 years, I’m living without earnings by investing the savings. In such case who will look after me in future, in my further old age? After so long time I got this offer. This man had came to pay me 1000 Honnes. It is really luck to me. By moral or immoral, as prior we have to earn money. Otherwise, how to live comfortable?”
She said, “Oh great man! This is your house. Nobody is here to object you. I’m not disobedient to prince. He can come at any time. Always this house doors are open to him. That woman is my daughter like. He can enjoy her company.”
The prince’s friend had paid 1000 Honnes to her and fixed the prince’s appointment by that night. He returned to the prince. He said, “Oh prince! Madana Sekhara! I had seen that woman. Really, she is beautiful. She looks like Rambha, Urvasi, Thilothama etc divine women. She is Soundarya Valli’s daughter. Soundarya Valli is the famous prostitute in our city. She had agreed to our deal. You can visit her house by this night.”
The prince Madana Sekhara heard all of this. He had thought, “She is prostitute’s daughter. Hence, we have no relation with her. There is no such possibility even. Then why I had attraction on her? There is something strange. I must locate for it. If there is not anything strange, let me enjoy with her. It is not wrong to enjoy with prostitute. Anyway, today night I’ll go to that prostitute’s house.”
By night, after dinner Madana Sekhara got dressed up with beautiful colored silk dress and ornaments. He was eager to meet Kanthi Rupini. By hearing that she was a prostitute, he had some lust on her. But his sixth sense or natural instinct was warning him as something guilty was somewhere. With this suspicion and anxiety, he had reached the prostitutes’ street. He had left all his royal signs. It was night by 15 Ghadiyas time. [The then measure of time] It was dark. He was walking lonely. In that dark even, he could recognize Soundarya Valli’s house. Suddenly, a big blow of wind was there. All the lamps in the house had put off. Madana Sekhara didn’t stop. He was eager to go into the house. He stepped on a smooth thing. By sensing the smooth touch he jumped over it and going. There was a black cow and its calf tied by rope to a pillar. The prince didn’t notice the animals due to dark. He had stepped on the tail of calf and jumped over it. After jumping, the prince got doubt about the object on which he stepped. He had turn back to check up.
By that time, the calf said, “Mother! What time is this? This prince had stepped on my tail. Again, he jumped over it. He is going on.” The cow had replied “My dear calf! Do you think that it is a wonder as jump over your tail? This prince is a sin fellow. He is going to enjoy sex with his mother. To such sin doing fellow, will you be an obstacle or will me be an obstacle or will God be an obstacle? There is no doubt about such people as they can do much more sins. You keep quite. If we talk about such people, it will be a sin to us.”
The prince knew the language of animals. He was shocked. He had thought, “Oh God! I thought that the woman whom I had seen is prostitute. I came here to enjoy lust with prostitute. On the other hand, my inner sense is warning me. I sensed something strange. How that woman could be my mother? But, why the animals say bluff? Why should my sixth sense saying something strange is here. Why my soul gets attractive towards her? I’m very younger. My father Gandheswara king is very old man. There should be some secret in my birth. I should know it. We should not take any decision without investigating the details till end.”
By thinking like this, Madana Sekhara had prepared his mind with balance. He had gone inside. Soundarya Valli had received him as if he was Devendra, the king of deities. She had offered him to wait in the bedroom. The bedroom was decorated with flowers, perfumes and lights. They had arranged an attractive bed there. The prince had sat on the bed with deep thinking.
Soundarya Valli had approached Kanthi Rupini and said, “Oh girl! Rupa Vathi! I’m protecting you since 20 years. Whenever I forced you to adopt my profession, you protested my proposal. The young and rich men in this city were harassing me since your disagreement to my proposal. Somehow, I had bared all this and protecting you with all comforts. But today, the prince of this city had came to our house to enjoy with you. You should obey me now. Otherwise, we will lose our heads.”
Kanthi Rupini asked her, “Prince means who he is?” Soundarya Valli said, “Madana Sekharudu.” By hearing this, Kanthi Rupini had closed her ears with two hands and said, “Oh God! How bitter is this! Please do not say such words to me. I can’t do such immoral and sin activities, in which ever manner you force me. Please leave me.” But Soundarya Valli didn’t leave her. She was trying to convince Kanthi Rupini. Kanthi Rupini had thought, “It is my sin to live after the missing of my husband. If I die on that day itself, I could escape from the blame of pregnancy, the king’s punishment and the present prostitute’s harassment. What a bad lucky person I am? How bitter my fate is! Whenever I notice that this house is of a prostitute, on that day itself, I should commit suicide. Oh God! Please save me from this disaster.”
By thinking like this, Kanthi Rupini kept calm. By watching her silence, Soundarya Valli thought, “Silence is half agreement. This RupaVathi had agreed to my deal. Without knowing this technique, I had wasted so much of time. Otherwise, I could earn much within these 20 years. Anyway, first let me take this woman to the bedroom at which the prince is waiting. It is not safe to keep him in further waiting.”
By force, she had kept Kanthi Rupini in the bedroom and closed the doors. Kanthi Rupini was helpless and horrified. She was shocked with fear. She was standing beside the cot by holding its frame. She was not able to notice anything in her surroundings. With surprise, Madana Sekhara got up from the cot. He had seen her face. Being kid, he didn’t drink her breast milk. The milk from her breast had spread on his face. With this miraculary incident, his shock, surprise and guilty concept had driven him from there. Immediately he had returned to his palace. Soundarya Valli had watched the departure of prince from her house. She had worried since the prince didn’t spend much time there. Immediately she had rushed into the bedroom. There Kanthi Rupini stood beside the cot by holding its frame like a statue. Soundarya Valli got severe anger with her. She shouted, “Oh Devil! You had demolished my house. Oh God! I don’t know that which type of punishment that I’m going to receive from the king.” Soundarya Valli was crying and scolding Kanthi Rupini. Kanthi Rupini didn’t react further.
Like this, the night passed. It was early in the morning. The sun was like a red fruit in the East. There was cool breeze. The flowers were blossom and all surroundings were filled with sweet smells. The birds were singing. The morning devotions, mantras and temple bells sounds were spreading in the city. The king and Queen had finished their daily works such as bathe etc. The king and the ministers were ready to go to the temple of Goddess Kali Devi as usual. By that time, every day, the prince Madana Sekhara used to be there before all others. But he was not there on that day. The king had sent servants to invite him to the temple. Since the return from Soundarya Valli’s house, Madana Sekhara was very sad and confused. He had laid on bed with desperation. The servants had informed to the king as the prince was not active and he lay on the bed with desperation. The king worried like anything. He rushed to the suit of the prince. Madana Sekhara was on the bed. His face was like a folded flower. The hair was not combed. His eyes were filled with tears. The king was shocked by his appearance. He had held him in hands and said, “My dear son. Why, what is the reason? Why are you like this? You are not cheer up. What happened?”
Madana Sekhara said, “Father! I have some doubts. If you promise me to clear my doubts, then I’ll take bathe and food. Otherwise I’ll be like this only.”
Gandheswara said, “My child. I promise you. I’ll do whatever you like. Get and
have bathe. Take your food and come to the court.” Madana Sekhara had completed his bathe and went to the court. Gandheswara said, “My son! Tell me, what are your doubts?” Madana Sekhara said, “Father! You are bringing me up with love and affection. Nobody said anything. Till date, I feel that you and the Queen are my parents. But, now, I have some doubts. That’s why I’m asking like this. Are you my parents? Otherwise, are you bringing me up? Did I have some other parents who had given birth to me? Let me clear this doubt. Otherwise, I don’t like to live. This is my promise.”
By hearing this, Gandheswara felt a cyclone thunder. He trembled with fear and surprise. He thought with sorrow “Oh God! What a danger is this? My own son had missed since long time. My daughter-in-law got pregnancy and punished to be in forest. In that sorrow, I found this kid in the temple. By thinking that he is the gift of God, we are bringing him up. But, now, he is speaking like a thunder in the sky. What I have to do? If I bluff, regarding his birth details he may not believe. Moreover, he may not be with us. It is not safe. Let be happen whatever it happen. But it is always safe to tell truth only.”
By thinking like this, Gandheswara hugged and kissed Madana Sekhara. He said, “My dear child! Why you have this type of doubts today, I don’t know. By thinking that it will be a great disaster, you had taken such severe promises. If you want to know, there is no secrecy here. I’ll tell your birth details. Listen carefully; I had a son by name Kanthi Rupudu. He was very handsome. By search all over, I had performed his marriage with appropriate beautiful princess by name Kanthi Rupini. I made them to live peacefully in the 7-stared palace at the end of our city with all comforts and servants. They were always lived together. They had love and affection towards each other. Among those days, suddenly my son had missed from the palace. We don’t know what was the faith and sin my daughter-in-law had conceived pregnancy. How she could conceive pregnancy without the company of husband? The security to that palace was very tight. She was surrounded with servant-maids. Nobody knew anything. As a punishment, I had sent her to forest. We don’t know whether she died or alive or given birth to any baby. Some time passed. My wives and myself were crying for our missed son and fate of my daughter-in-law. As usual, one day I had gone to the temple of Goddess Durga. You were there in the inner temple. It seems that you were like newborn baby. I had taken you as if you were the gift of Goddess Kali to us. I brought you to palace and gave to my wives. We had brought you up with love and affection. You are my life. I made you as prince of my kingdom. And you only the future king to this kingdom.”
Madana Sekhara kept calm for some time. He thought, “I was not born to this king and Queen. I was found in the temple. The black cow had said that I had gone to enjoy sex with my mother. The woman in the prostitute was strange. Why her breast milk had spread on my face? I must know the details. Nobody is here to tell me such. It is possible to investigate into my birth secret, by questioning the prostitute Soundarya Valli and the woman there i.e. Rupa Vathi.”
He said with the king Gandheswara “Father! I got some peace by hearing your words. But without knowing the complete secret of birth, I can’t be peaceful. Please call on the prostitute Soundarya Valli and a woman Rupa Vathi who is living in our city. We have to enquire them. I hope that they know my birth secret.”
The king surprised to this. But he decided to enquire until end. He ordered his soldiers to bring Soundarya Valli and Rupa Vathi. The soldiers had conveyed the King’s order to Soundarya Valli. Soundarya Valli trembled with fear. She said with Rupa Vathi “Oh Devil. You are like a ghost towards me. Where I found you as per my fate? I had protected you long time as if you are my own daughter. Is it resulting for it? You became like a snake beneath my pillow. Last night, how many ways I counseled you? But you didn’t pay attention. You burnt my life. You had ill-treated and shown disregards towards the prince. He might be anger with me. Otherwise, we don’t receive the king’s soldiers with a message of the king’s order to attend the court within short period. Oh God! May be my head won’t lie an my neck. The king’s order will be rude enough! Oh Rupa Vathi! Please let me know what happened in the bedroom at least now itself. If you tell me without hiding, I can think how to convince the prince. Otherwise, we should receive death as a punishment. Please tell me.” Kanthi Rupini didn’t know anything i.e. what happened on the night. Since she was in deep shock. She didn’t know about the observation of prince, the spreading of her breast milk on his face. That’s why she kept calm. On the other hand, the soldiers were warning Soundarya Valli to move. Soundarya Valli scolded Rupa Vathi and said, “Enough! Why should I scold you? This is all my fate! Being experienced prostitute now, I’m facing king’s enquiry and punishment because of you. By this time, it is safe to tell the truth what I know. By the way God will save me, and God may forgive me.”
Soundarya Valli and Rupa Vathi had arrived to the court along with the king’s soldiers. By watching them, the king Gandheswara had recognized his daughter-in-law Kanthi Rupini. He got tears by watching her in such a situation. He didn’t reveal anything. Some of his ministers also recognized her but kept calm. Gandheswara had controlled himself and started to enquire them. He called on Soundarya Valli. She stood obediently before him with folded hands. He said, “Soundarya Valli! You brought this woman along with you. Who is she? Is she your daughter or not? You will be alive if you say the truth. Don’t try to bluff. It is no use of it. Don’t think that we cannot identify what you say. This is the royal court. Here the judges and ministers are scholars. They can identify what is truth and what is false. Without fear, tell us the truth.”
Soundarya Valli was trembling with extreme fear. She said, “Oh Maharaja! I tell the truth as it is happened. If I had done any mistake, please forgive me. I had a daughter. She was beautiful and talented. But due to my fate, she had died by failing in delivering a baby. When she was alive, doing prostitution my house was always with full of gallants and young men. When she died, nobody came to perform post death ceremony even, to her. I felt helpless and lonely. Since I had no alternative, on that day I had taken the corpse of my daughter to the burial ground. I was burning it at night. After mid night i.e. by 15 Ghadiyas in the night, the woman RupaVathi had came there. She tried to jump into fire of corpse and die. By that time, she was pregnant of matured months. I pitied on her. I had consoled her, convinced her and taken to my house. I had protected her as if she is my own daughter. Since she is beautiful, I had desired to earn by making her to do prostitution; after delivery. One day she was suffering from delivery pains. I had called on midwife and ordered her to tie Rupa Vathi’s eyes by cloth. I bribed the midwife to kill the baby of Rupa Vathi if it is boy. I asked her to protect if the baby is girl. Oh, king! Please forgive me for this kid’s murder. In my profession of prostitution, girls will be assets to us. We don’t need boys. We used to think that it would be waste to bring up the boy. The mid wife had accepted my deal. Pity! This woman Rupa Vathi had given birth to a boy. The mid wife had taken the baby out. I don’t know whether that mid wife had killed the baby or not. Later I kept wooden doll beside Rupa Vathi and told her that she had given birth to that only. Rupa Vathi said, “Mother. I heard that the crying of kid now. How this wooden doll is here?” I said, “You are in semi conscious state with delivery pains. More over you have the hope to have a child. Hence, you might hear such cries. You had delivered this wooden doll only. If you delivery a live baby, what I can do with that kid? It might be your fate. Don’t cry for what happened. It is not safe to cry after delivery.” I had cured her with medicines, service and counseling. I let her for some more months. Later I tried to make her to do prostitution. But she didn’t obey me. She said that her husband had missed. She had committed as chaste woman. When I forced her to earn money by doing prostitution, she said, “Mother. Please don’t force me. You don’t feel that why should you feed me as a waste. Any way you are maintaining servant-maids in your house. I also do service at your house works. Let me have food for such service like your other servant-maids. But don’t force me to do prostitution. If you force me, there is no alternative to me except death.” Since that, she is doing service in my house as housekeeper. By that way, yester day …”
Gandheswara had destructed her and said, “Enough, enough. Stop your long narration. Who is that mid wife? Where she lives?” Soundarya Valli told. The soldiers immediately brought the mid wife to the king’s court. The king Gandheswara said, “Oh Mid wife! Do you know this Soundarya Valli and that woman, Rupa Vathi?” With fear, mid wife replied “Yes Maharaja”.
The king said, “In which manner, you know her. Let us know.” The mid wife said, “Oh Maha raja! Since many years back, this Soundarya Valli had called on me to attend the delivery of this woman Rupa Vathi. Her eyes were tied with a cloth. This woman had given birth to a cute boy. Soundarya Valli had offered me money to kill the kid. I had accepted that deal with the desire on money. Oh, king please forgives me for this. I had taken the baby and came out of that house. I had reached the end of our city near the temple of Goddess Kalika Devi. I had seen the face of baby. The baby was smiling at me. It was cute baby. There was glory in its face. I was not able to kill the baby. I left the baby beside the snake hill in which we believe that 5 headed snake God is there. Later I had gone home. I don’t know what happened further.”
The king Gandheswara said with Rupa Vathi “Oh girl. Who are you? Is Rupa Vathi your real name? What is your native? Who are your parents? Why did you reach the burial ground? Being pregnant why did you attempted suicide by jumping into the fire of corpse? Is it not the sin? What is your past? Let us know.” She didn’t lift her face. She was watching her feet only. She said, “Oh Rajendra! Mahendra Giri is my native. The king of Mahendra Giri, Maheswardu is my father. They call me as Kanthi Rupini. My husband is the prince of Chandra Giri i.e. the son of King Gandheswara, by name Kanthi Rupudu. My father-in-law had kept us in 7-stared royal palace to lead daily life in peace. We lived there together like sun God and Goddess Chaya for some time. Days passed. What happened, I don’t know. One day we slept on terrace as usual. When early in the morning when I woke up, my husband was not beside me. I searched all over the palace. I didn’t find him. Through servant-maids, I had intimated this to my father-in-law. He had taken appropriate acts to search for him. I was living in the same palace with my servant-maids by waiting for my husband. I don’t know any sin. Miraculary, I had conceived the pregnancy. The servant-maids had informed to my father-in-law. He felt shy and blame of public. They had punished me by dropping me in the midst of forest by night. I didn’t know the way. More over I didn’t have desire to live. I had searched ways to commit suicide. I had gone across the wild animals. But unfortunately, no wild animal had hurt me. By that time, I had seen a fire light at far to me. I walked in that direction. I decided to leave this body, which got the blame of public by jumping in to the fire. What happened further you had heard by Soundarya Valli. But yesterday…”
Gandheswara disturbed her. He said, “Soundarya Valli! While explaining you tried to say something by saying yesterday. Now this woman also used the same word yesterday. What happened yester day. You say first. Later I’ll enquire her.”
Soundarya Valli said, “Maha raja! Yesterday, our Prince Madana Sekhara’s friend came to my house and informed me that our prince is interested to visit my house by night. The prince’s friend had given me 1000 Honnes and ordered me to arrange to entertain the prince, with this woman Rupa Vathi. As our profession is prostitution, I felt happy for the opportunity. I conveyed my acceptance. I tried to convince this woman to attend the prince. She didn’t accept. By night our prince came. I made him to wait in the bedroom. With force, I had dropped Rupa Vathi in that room. Within one minute, the prince had left my house. I had scolded this woman for that. Mean while your soldiers informed me to attend the royal court. Truly, this was happened.”
When the king Gandheswara enquired Rupa Vathi, she also confirmed it. Gandheswara said, “My son Madana Sekhara! With this enquiry, do you get clarification of your doubts?” Madana Sekhara said, “Father! Everything is in sequence like beads in the garland. But there are some gaps. How to confirm that the baby kept by the mid wife beside the snake’s hill is the same as the baby who did you find in the temple? Yesterday when I had gone on city tour, I had seen this woman watching me with keen eye. I had surprised. I found something attraction and relation there. I sent my friend to enquire. He informed me that the woman was the daughter of prostitute Soundarya Valli. Hence, I thought that there won’t be any possibility that I related to this woman but my mind was thinking about her always. I sensed something abnormal. I wanted to find out. By night, I had gone to Soundarya Valli’s house. In the dark, I had stepped on the tail of cow’s calf. The cow had scolded me that I was lustful man and was going to enjoy with my mother. With shock and surprise, I had gone inside. Soundarya Valli asked me to wait in the bedroom. After some time she had brought this Rupa Vathi and left us lonely. I had seen Rupa Vathi’s face. Miracle! Her breast milk had spread on my face. Immediately I return to the palace. There I sensed that there must be some secret regarding my birth. That’s why I requested you to do this enquiry. But still I have doubts whether the I am the son of this Rupa Vathi or not. As per midwife words she had left the son of Rupa Vathi beside snake’s hill. As per your words, you had found me in the inner temple. Hence, let us go to the temple of Goddess Kali Devi. She only can clear our doubts. Let’s go to the temple and devote her. Don’t waste time with words. Let’s go immediately. Come fast.” Madana Sekhara was eager to know and to go to the temple. All the Queens were informed this. They had recognized their daughter-in-law, Kanthi Rupini. The king along with ministers, teachers, scholars and people had gone to temple. Madana Sekhara had performed devotion to Goddess Kalika Devi. He had prayed her “Oh Mother! You are mother to every living being in this world. Let my mother get rid of blame. Let me get rid of sin. You should clarify our doubts and reveal the secrets of my birth. Otherwise I’ll cut off my head at your feet.”
He got ready to scarify his life by cutting his head with sword. Goddess Kalika Devi had appeared in front of them. She said, “Madana Sekhara! Gandheswara! Listen. The mid wife had left the baby beside the snake’s hill. The baby was crying. By hearing that, the 5 head snake Goddess had came out and watched the baby. She had noticed that the baby was your grandson with her magical power. Because your family is devotees to her since generations, she had kept the baby in the inner temple, here. You had taken him and brought up him by name Madana Sekhara. Madana Sekhara’s mother is this Rupa Vathi alias Kanthi Rupini only. Due to Kanthi Rupudu only, Kanthi Rupini had conceived the pregnancy. Because Madana Sekhara is the son of your son, he was made to reach you, as the valuable object reaches its own true owner. Hence, you be happy.”
Gandheswara said, “Oh mother! You are so kind to us. What you said is true. We know this all. But still we had a doubt. You said that Madana Sekhara is my grandson i.e. the son of my son. My son was missed from the specially built 7-stared royal palace for him. This happened before Kanthi Rupini conceived pregnancy. Then how this Madana Sekhara born to him. Please let us know.”
Goddess Kalika Devi smiled at him with affection. She said “Son. You are asking the secret of other world. Because you are my devotees and victims, I’m saying that to you. One night your son and daughter-in-law were sleeping on their terrace. By that time, 7 Yakshinies were travelling in the air after taking bathe in the beautiful lake beside your city. They used to do such on every full moon night. By watching your son’s handsome appearance, they had taken him with their magical powers to their world. They were enjoying with your son on turns. After some days, they felt pity on your daughter-in-law. Because she is his own wife, they had decided to give her one turn. As per such, they used to drop him on every 8th night on the bed of Kanthi Rupini and brought him back before morning. Because of the 7 Yakshinies magical power, no body including your daughter-in-law, her servant-maids and security guards was able to notice it. After few months, your daughter-in-law conceived pregnancy. Any way past is passed. Due to your fate, you all including yourself, your wives, son, daughter-in-law and your grand son had faced such sorrows. To anybody, fate is unavoidable. Due to your past acts, including good and bad, your fate will be designed. Hence, everybody should always do good. This is unavoidable to any living being in any world. Even deities also cannot escape from this system. What now the 7 Yakshinies have done, they will receive the appropriate fate in future. Hence, now you don’t cry for what happened. Now you locate the way by which you can get back your son. I can punish the 7 Yakshinies. But before that, I want to give a choice to them to realize their sin. Let Kanthi Rupini do Monday devotion towards 7 Yakshinies. If she does penance towards them, they will come to her. Let her ask them ‘her husband’ as a boon. Let me watch what they will do.”
Goddess Kalika Devi had blessed them and disappeared. Madana Sekhara had fallen on the feet of Kanthi Rupini and cried like anything. In the same situation, she had lifted him and hugged him. The king also had wept. All the people around them had tears in their eyes. The king and ministers had consoled the mother and son i.e. Kanthi Rupini and Madana Sekhara. King Gandheswara said, “Oh my daughter-in-law, Kanthi Rupini. You are like my mother. How many difficulties you had faced. My child, forgive me. I had done mistake in your case without knowing the truth. You are chaste woman. Without noticing it, I had driven you to forest. Because of your holiness, today it was happened to meet all of us. We had appearance of Goddess Durga because of your sincerity only.” His wives had received their daughter-in-law with joy and tears in the eyes.
Gandheswara returned to the court. He said, with Soundarya Valli, “Oh Soundarya Valli! You had troubled my daughter-in-law to do prostitution. You are eligible to get punishment for it. But you had saved my daughter-in-law who was pregnant from death. You had protected her since 20 years with food and shelter. That’s why I excused you.” He had given so many gifts including gold and money to her and sent her. He called on midwife and said, “You are really kind woman. Unless you left the baby beside the snake’s hill without killing, we could not get our grandson. You are really great.” He had given much more gifts to her including gold and gems.
On the other hand, Kanthi Rupini was on fasting on every Monday and doing penance towards 7 Yakshinies. On the 7th Monday, the 7 Yakshinies had appeared to her. She prayed them “Oh Yakshini women! Being chaste woman, I won’t desire anything else except my husband’s company. Please bless me to be with my husband.”
They had came to know what happened since her pregnancy up to the appearance of Goddess Kalika Devi to her; with their magical power and vision of knowledge. They had realized their mistake and sin. They thought, “With craze on a handsome man, how much sin we had done. With our magical powers we had taken him off from his wife. We separated loving wife and husband. More over we made him to forget everything. Not by leaving like that, we dropped him on turn on the bed of his wife. As a result, how many difficulties this Kanthi Rupini had faced. Our crime, our sin and we are the reasons for the separation of loving wife and husband, son and his parents as well loving mother and son. By the way, we became as the reason for their difficulties. This is because of our ego, we have magical powers. This Kanthi Rupini is a chaste woman. It is better to return her husband before she curse us.”
They had apologized her and returned Kanthi Rupudu to her. They had gone to Goddess Kalika Devi’s temple. Because they had realized themselves, they had sacrificed their magical powers at the feet of Goddess Kalika Devi’s and went to forest to penance by leaving their Yakshinies luxurious life.
In the palace, Kanthi Rupudu had realized and remembered all. He had recognized his loving wife Kanthi Rupini. He had hugged her. He had fallen on to the feet of his parents. King Gandheswara had narrated what happened in his absence. He had shown Madana Sekhara. Kanthi Rupudu had received everybody with great love. All had chattered until they get satisfaction. They had narrated one another about the happenings. Kanthi Rupudu had enjoyed the company of his loving wife, son and parents. After some years, Gandheswara had made Kanthi Rupudu as king of Chandra Giri and went to forest to do penance. Kanthi Rupudu had coroneted his son Madana Sekhara as a prince i.e. future king and ruled his kingdom with morals. In his ruling, people were happy and peaceful.
Do you hear, oh Vikramadithya in the disguise of Vysya businessman! You are the king of kings. You are capable to do anything. Because of your greatness, though we have no talkative power, we were able to tell you stories. Otherwise, we can’t tell any, even in the presence of deities. Here is the end of my narration.”
Thursday, February 5, 2009
THE STORY TOLD BY LIGHT STAND
The light stand continued …
The 7 Yakshinies had taken Kanthi Rupudu to their world. Here on the earth, Kanthi Rupini had woken up after mid night. She didn’t find husband beside. She had watched 4 sides. He was not there. She had watched in the 7 stares of the palace. She was not able to find him. With helplessness, Kanthi Rupini had cried aloud. Her servant-maids had rushed towards her. They had consoled her first. Then she told them about the missing of Kanthi Rupudu. What the servant-maids could do? They had searched again in the 7 stares of palace and surrounding gardens. The Sun rose in the East. The servant-maids had searched every inch in the palace and garden. If Kanthi Rupudu had gone out of palace, the security guards should know it. With this logic, they had enquired the guards. But the security guards had confirmed that the prince Kanthi Rupudu didn’t go out of palace. They thought, “To play practical joke on us, the prince might hide somewhere.” With this thought, they had searched behind all plants and furniture. They were not able to find him.
Then they had gone to king to report it. By that time, the king Gandheswara was in his court. The ministers, scholars, courtiers and people were there in the court. By hearing the news of Kanthi Rupudu’s missing the king became un-conscious. Immediately his ministers rushed to him. They had served him, the servants and doctors had treated him with sandal powder, cool water and medicines. After some minutes, he came into conscious. He had seen 4 sides to recall his memory. Again, he remembered his son missing. He had wept with sorrow. He said, “My dear ministers! What you have done? Why did you get me to consciousness? Why don’t you leave me to die? When I lost my son, why should I live? What is the use of my life? Why should I have this kingdom? My life is waste.” Like this, he was crying. Our elders used to say that the sorrow of losing children or death of children is forever to any parent. This was circumstantial with the king Gandheswara.
By hearing this, his ministers said, “Oh, King! You have to cry like this if your son had died. But he is very much alive. Just he was missing. If he dead, we could find his dead body. But there is no such case. He can’t go to heaven with body because he didn’t know Anima etc Ashta Sidhi. [In Indians’ believes, there are 8 magical powers by name Animadi Ashta Sidhas. By doing penance people or saints can achieve them. With such magical powers, they can move in invisible form, travel through air, walk on water, psychologically over power others etc.] As well, he is not a devotee to go to heaven with body. However, devotees, people should leave this physical body on this earth. Only soul can go to upper worlds like heaven. On the other hand, our elders used to say that we should experience the result of our bad and good acts. Others will not experience the result of our works. Being knowledgeous, you know all these things. In spite of such, you should not cry like an ordinary man. We should not keep calm. Let us send our spies to all over the world to identify his whereabouts. You please give up crying. Please think about the appropriate work to do now.”
By the console of ministers, the king felt some peace. He had sent skilled spies to all over his kingdom and neighboring countries to trace his son. They had wandered all over. With desperation, they returned to report the nil result to the king. The king felt very sorrow. By watching the sorrow of Kanthi Rupini, he had forgotten his own sorrow, and he consoled her like her own father. He thought, “How cruel this fate is! She is so beautiful and young. I had searched for beautiful bride to my handsome son. But now she remained lonely.”
By thinking like this, Gandheswara ordered the servant-maids and security guards of 7 stared palace to protect her like a flower. In fact, oh, King, can anybody avoid the fate? It will happen at its time; however, it is bitter or sweet to us. On every full moon day, the 7 Yakshinies used to come to the lake. As usual they came. But this time, why should they come to the palace of Kanthi Rupudu and Kanthi Rupini, instead of going on their way? Okay! They came. But why should they feel lust on human prince? Though they felt lust, why should they taken him to their world? They didn’t consider the sin of separating the loving wife and husband. Being Yakshinies, why didn’t they concern about sin and faith, unless it was according to the fate of Yakshinies, Kanthi Rupudu and kanthi Rupini? The king Gandheswara kept them in the isolated 7 stared building to protect their privacy from public visit. It had lead to the separation of the pair. If they live in their old palace, might be the Yakshinies not seen him and taken him. All of this was according to their fate only. Without thinking about fate, people can say anything. But it is impossible for anybody to avoid the happenings of life according to their fate. Well, let’s come back to the story, by leaving this philosophical discussion.” By saying like this, the light stand was continuing the story.
At the world of Yakshinies, Kanthi Rupudu had woken up from sleep. He had seen all around. He didn’t find his loving wife beside himself. He noticed that it was new place. Mean while one of the Yakishinies came into that room. She had mesmerized him with her magical power. She had served him by fulfill his needs. She had given delicious food and drinks. She had entertained him with her talents of music, dance etc. She had decorated him with beautiful dress and ornaments. She made love with him. He had forgotten everything and enjoying.
Like this, every day, the Yakshinies were enjoying in his company on turns. Days were passing like this. One day, due to fate they had thought about kanthi Rupudu’s wife Kanthi Rupini. They discussed among themselves as “We had separated this handsome prince from his wife. We are enjoying with him by creating loneliness to his real wife. Our elders say that it is sin to snatch food from others and eat. His wife might love him. She might be chaste woman. She may curse us. It is not safe to us if we create tears in her eyes. Hence, let us provide her one turn after us.” [What a self deceive is this!]
By deciding like that, they had taken him on next full moon day and dropped him beside Kanthi Rupini on her bed. They had applied their magical power on the couple so that neither Kanthi Rupini nor Kanthi Rupudu could identify what was happening. With the magical sense, Kanthi Rupudu used to enjoy with his wife Kanthi Rupini on every full moon night. Because it was the magic power of Yakshinies, no human beings including Kanthi Rupini, servant-maids and security guards could notice what was happening. It had repeated for few months. After 5, 6 months Kanthi Rupini was conceived pregnancy. By watching the symptoms, the servant-maids felt surprise. They were murmuring among themselves as “She didn’t go anywhere at any time by leaving us. How she got pregnancy?” By watching their whispers, Kanthi Rupini asked “Oh dear servant-maids! You are friends to me. You are like my sisters. Why are you murmuring? What is the matter?”
They had expressed their doubts to her. She was shocked with fear and anger. She said, “Will the swans which swim in lotus lakes desire to eat ordinary snails? What are you talking? Do you think that I will be immoral to love others by leaving my husband? I will not look at Devendra even, except my husband. Will the bee which drink nectar from jasmines go to ---- flower? While you are guarding me and protecting me throughout day and night, how can I meet others by spraying dust in your eyes? You are saying that you sense symptoms of pregnancy with me. This is making me surprise and frightfulness. In fact, I don’t know this. By which mystery this happened, I really don’t know. The fate and God who had separated me from my husband may be driving me into this difficulty and blame. Oh, God! How can I escape from this blame? How can I protect myself? How can I prove my morality? How can I live with this blame?”
Kanthi Rupini was crying like anything. The servant-maids had consoled her. Later they gathered in a secret place. The leader of servant-maids said, “Friends! Our princess had no husband. When her husband is not here, how she conceived pregnancy? She is arguing that she didn’t know the reason of pregnancy. Is any thief say that he is a thief at any time? There must be some lover to her. It is no use of we argue with her. By any trick we have to trace him.” All others had accepted this deal. To find out the truth, they were spreading sand on the ways to Kanthi Rupini’s bedroom and on terrace on every night. They were observing for footprints. With much care, they were observing every day and night. As usual on full moon night, the 7 Yakshinies brought Kanthi Rupudu through air and dropped him on Kanthi Rupini’s bed. After their bathe in the lake, they had picked him up from the bed. That’s why on full moon night also, there were no footprints on the sand. Like that, the servant-maids efforts had failed. They were not able to trace out any body. Some more months were passed. By that time, Kanthi Rupini was pregnant by 8 months. The servant-maids decided to inform to the king about all of this. They feared about the king’s punishment for the delay. In their opinion, already they had delayed. That’s why, they had gone to the king’s court and stood there with folding hands. Their bodies were trembling with fear. Their faces were pale. The king asked “Oh servant-maids! What is the matter? Don’t fear. Say the truth?”
The servant-maids said, “Oh king! We are protecting your daughter-in-law like eyelids to eyes. From the day on which your son had disappeared, we are watching her, serving her and protecting her. No other men can reach the 7 stared palace. The security is very tight and perfect. By slipping the notice of security guards, even male bee could not enter into the palace. We don’t know what mystery had happened. Your daughter-in-law conceived pregnancy. Now she is with 8 months pregnancy. Since we noticed the symptoms of pregnancy, we had keenly observed. But we didn’t notice any person. We brought the truth to your notice. Now the issue is up to you.”
By hearing this, the king Gandheswara felt sad and shy. It was like the pestles’ beat on the injured finger. He said with his prime minister, “Oh Prime Minister! You are the justice of our kingdom. Your heard the servant-maids’ report. What we had to do?” The Prime Minster said, “Maharaja! We have to proceed according to Manu Dharma Sasthra. [It is the penal code of ancient India] In the administration and ruling of country, we have to decide punishment to people without showing the partiality of our people and other people. Then only people will accept the justice. Now your daughter-in-law had done most immoral and blamable act. This makes us blame in the world and public. Hence, at night about 15 Gadiyas time, you handover her to the soldiers and order them to leave her in the forest. This is the appropriate punishment to her.”
The king had ordered the soldiers to do so. The soldiers had dropped Kanthi Rupini in the thick forest and informed the same to the king. The king and his Queens had cried for their son’s missing and their daughter-in-law’s fate. They were leading life with prayers and devotion to God.
Kanthi Rupini had never gone out of royal palace since her birth. Such delicate and beautiful soft girl, how she had wept in that forest at that dark night, you can imagine. In that thick forest, at that dark night she was trembling by watching the trees, plants and ants. When the snakes moved beside her, her body was shriveling. She was frightening when the wild animals crying. When she tried to walk, her hair and dress had wound to thorn plants. She felt some body was dragging her. She was hurting by thorns pierced in her delicate feet. She was not able to see anything in that dark time. When she got strike against rocks, her delicate body was injured. Her body and feet became bleeding. She was crying with psychological hurt rather than the physical hurt. She had gone towards the wild animals by tracing them with sound, to offer her body as a bray to them. She wanted to commit suicide like that. She thought that it was better to die than living with blame. But when she had gone in front of wild animals, though the wild animals were cruel by virtue of their nature, by watching her pitiable face, the wild animals became kind and soft. They didn’t hurt her. Instead of hurting her, the wild animals had run away from her. Kanthi Rupini had cried like anything as the death also preventing her. While she was suffering like this, the mid might had passed. In the light of stars, she had traced a narrow way. Kanthi Rupini was walking on the way. She had watched a fire at far. She walked in that direction. By the way, she had reached the burial ground of Chandra Giri. She had seen an old woman there. That woman was burning a corpse. In fact, that old woman was a prostitute whose name was Soundarya Valli [The meaning of this name is a beautiful garland or creeper.] The corpse was of her daughter Chitra Valli [The meaning of this name is a wonderful garland] Chitra Valli was beautiful and young when she was alive. She was active in her profession of prostitution. She conceived the pregnancy. But the baby in her womb was dead. Hence, Chitra Valli’s delivery had turn as tragedy. She had died.
By the way, Soundraya Valli had lost her younger aged daughter at her old age. Because she had no relatives, she was burning the corpse of Chitra Valli herself.
By that time, Kanthi Rupini had reached there. She had seen the old prostitute and burning corpse there. She had thought “Well! The light I watched is from this burial ground. The body stood in front of the fire of corpse may be a ghost. If I go in front of that ghost, it will eat me. But such death is terrible. It is better to scarify life by entering into this fire, before this ghost kills me. Certainly it will be the appropriate act.” She had tied up her sari and Pallu tight. She had tied up her long and beautiful hair. By praying God with folding hands, she had paid 2 holy rounds around the burning corpse. After 3rd round, she got ready to jump into the fire. At that moment suddenly Soundarya Valli, the old prostitute woman had rushed towards her. Soundarya Valli had dragged Kanthi Rupini far from fire. She had taken the shocked young princess to other side of fire and made her to sit beside a tree. She had observed Kanthi Rupini and said, “Oh, Girl! You are like my mother. It seems that you are divine girl or princess. You are so beautiful and delicate. More over you are pregnant with matured months. In spite of carrying a baby in your womb, why did you try to jump into the fire of corpse?”
Kanthi Rupini said, “Oh Mother! If any person had the serious sorrows and difficulties, such person will take these types of steps. Others cannot understand this and others cannot experience it. Due to my fate, I’m facing unbearable sorrows and difficulties. That’s why, I want to die by jumping into that fire of corpse. You had spoilt my trial and saved me. May be you are thinking that you had done faith and good to me. But you had made me to suffer from terrible future. What you have done is not at all a holy thing. Is it not sin to throw a person from comfortable death to terrible future?”
With this conversation, the old woman had understood the desperation of Kanthi Rupini. She said, “Oh young girl. It seems that you are delicate and soft character girl. I had a daughter who was more beautiful than you are. Unfortunately, she had dead yesterday. I’m burning that corpse only here, into which you had tried to jump. My daughter had dead, because the baby in her womb had died before delivery. You are like my daughter. I have no other children and no body. I treat yourself as if my own daughter. I’ll take care of you in all sense. Please do come to my house. There won’t be any deficiency and difficulty to you in my house. You can think that it is your own house.”
By this way, the old woman i.e. prostitute Soundarya Valli had consoled Kanthi Rupini. She was convinced by the old woman’s words. Soundarya Valli had taken Kanthi Rupini to her house and treated her with medicines, food and other needs. After 4 days, she had enquired Kanthi Rupini for her personal details. Kanthi Rupini didn’t tell the truth. She said, “Mother! I’m an orphan. My name is Rupa Vathi. My husband had left me when I got pregnancy.”
Soundarya Valli didn’t stressed further. She was protecting Kanthi Rupini with all comforts. Days had passed. One day Kanthi Rupini got delivery pains. Soundarya Valli had called on a mid wife. She said, “Oh mid wife! If this woman gives birth to male child, kill him. I’ll give large amount of money and gold to you. If she gives birth to female child, protect the baby.” The midwife had agreed to this deal. Kanthi Rupini was suffering from pains. She was un-conscious. Soundarya Valli had tied a cloth across her two eyes. She had given birth to a boy. The kid was cute and bright like the sun in the sky. As per the deal, the midwife had taken the baby out along with her gift from Soundarya Valli.
After some time, Kanthi Rupini became conscious. She had opened the eyes and watched beside her. There was no baby. There was a wooden doll. She had asked Soundarya Valli, “Mother! What is this?” Soundarya Valli said, “I don’t know the miracle. But you had delivered this wooden doll only.” Kanthi Rupini had wept silently. She didn’t say anything. Soundarya Valli had cured Kanthi Rupini with medicines.
On the other hand, when the mid wife was taking the baby, on the way, she had seen the face of baby. The kid was smiling at her. The midwife had seen the glory of the baby. She thought, “This baby is very cute. What is the use of me by killing this innocent kid? Definitely l’ll gather sin by doing like that.” There was temple of Godden Durga at the end of that city, Chandra Giri. In the premises of that temple, there was a big anthill. In that, there was living a 5 headed king cobra. By that early in the morning, before sun rise there was semi dark at all. The mid wife had kept the kid beside the snake hill and gone away.
Oh king of kings! I know this story up to this only. I don’t know the remaining story. Hence, I can’t continue.”
The light stand said like that. By hearing this, Vikramadithya in the disguise of Vysya businessman said, “Very well light stand! What a story you told? The Prince i.e. father was in the world of Yakshaw. The princess i.e. mother was in the house of prostitute. Their baby was beside the snake’s hill. By leaving them like this, you had finished the story. For the remaining story, what I can do?”
The light stand said, “Oh king. Don’t be anger with me. What can I do? I heard the story upto this much only. While I was hearing the story with anxiety, somebody had taken me to another room. Won’t you know that I’m dependent on others. If you want to know the remaining story, this pillow had heard the remaining story. You can ask the pillow on which Hela Rambha had leaned, to tell the remaining the story.”
Immediately, Vikramadithya said, “Oh Pillow. I heard that you know the remaining story up to which the light stand had narrated. You must tell me the remaining story.” Co-ordinatively Bhethala had inserted himself in the pillow and said, “Oh Rajendra! Please consider my request. These people had filled me tightly with soft cotton and stitched with needle and thread. More over this beautiful young princess had leaned on me. In this situation, it is not possible for me to breathe even comfortable. While I’m suffering from these situations, you are insisting me to tell me the story. It seems that my work is like the idiom, ‘it is play to cat and the same is danger to life of rat’. Wont you have concern on me?”
By hearing this, Hela Rambha had thought, “This Vysya business man should not be a business man. He should not be deity or some other man. He might be Vikramadithya who is the emperor of Ujjain. Otherwise, how the curtain, light stand and pillow can tell stories? More over they are calling him as king, Maharaja, Rajendra etc. Let me verify it.”
By thinking like this, with pleasure, Hela Rambha had dropped the pillow in between their cots. The king Jambu Natha Varma and others who were surrounded that room, were eagerly waiting to know the rest of story. Vikramadithya said, “Oh pillow! This princess is so intellectual. She had concern on you. Hence, she had released you from your difficulties. Now let me hear the remaining story.”
The 7 Yakshinies had taken Kanthi Rupudu to their world. Here on the earth, Kanthi Rupini had woken up after mid night. She didn’t find husband beside. She had watched 4 sides. He was not there. She had watched in the 7 stares of the palace. She was not able to find him. With helplessness, Kanthi Rupini had cried aloud. Her servant-maids had rushed towards her. They had consoled her first. Then she told them about the missing of Kanthi Rupudu. What the servant-maids could do? They had searched again in the 7 stares of palace and surrounding gardens. The Sun rose in the East. The servant-maids had searched every inch in the palace and garden. If Kanthi Rupudu had gone out of palace, the security guards should know it. With this logic, they had enquired the guards. But the security guards had confirmed that the prince Kanthi Rupudu didn’t go out of palace. They thought, “To play practical joke on us, the prince might hide somewhere.” With this thought, they had searched behind all plants and furniture. They were not able to find him.
Then they had gone to king to report it. By that time, the king Gandheswara was in his court. The ministers, scholars, courtiers and people were there in the court. By hearing the news of Kanthi Rupudu’s missing the king became un-conscious. Immediately his ministers rushed to him. They had served him, the servants and doctors had treated him with sandal powder, cool water and medicines. After some minutes, he came into conscious. He had seen 4 sides to recall his memory. Again, he remembered his son missing. He had wept with sorrow. He said, “My dear ministers! What you have done? Why did you get me to consciousness? Why don’t you leave me to die? When I lost my son, why should I live? What is the use of my life? Why should I have this kingdom? My life is waste.” Like this, he was crying. Our elders used to say that the sorrow of losing children or death of children is forever to any parent. This was circumstantial with the king Gandheswara.
By hearing this, his ministers said, “Oh, King! You have to cry like this if your son had died. But he is very much alive. Just he was missing. If he dead, we could find his dead body. But there is no such case. He can’t go to heaven with body because he didn’t know Anima etc Ashta Sidhi. [In Indians’ believes, there are 8 magical powers by name Animadi Ashta Sidhas. By doing penance people or saints can achieve them. With such magical powers, they can move in invisible form, travel through air, walk on water, psychologically over power others etc.] As well, he is not a devotee to go to heaven with body. However, devotees, people should leave this physical body on this earth. Only soul can go to upper worlds like heaven. On the other hand, our elders used to say that we should experience the result of our bad and good acts. Others will not experience the result of our works. Being knowledgeous, you know all these things. In spite of such, you should not cry like an ordinary man. We should not keep calm. Let us send our spies to all over the world to identify his whereabouts. You please give up crying. Please think about the appropriate work to do now.”
By the console of ministers, the king felt some peace. He had sent skilled spies to all over his kingdom and neighboring countries to trace his son. They had wandered all over. With desperation, they returned to report the nil result to the king. The king felt very sorrow. By watching the sorrow of Kanthi Rupini, he had forgotten his own sorrow, and he consoled her like her own father. He thought, “How cruel this fate is! She is so beautiful and young. I had searched for beautiful bride to my handsome son. But now she remained lonely.”
By thinking like this, Gandheswara ordered the servant-maids and security guards of 7 stared palace to protect her like a flower. In fact, oh, King, can anybody avoid the fate? It will happen at its time; however, it is bitter or sweet to us. On every full moon day, the 7 Yakshinies used to come to the lake. As usual they came. But this time, why should they come to the palace of Kanthi Rupudu and Kanthi Rupini, instead of going on their way? Okay! They came. But why should they feel lust on human prince? Though they felt lust, why should they taken him to their world? They didn’t consider the sin of separating the loving wife and husband. Being Yakshinies, why didn’t they concern about sin and faith, unless it was according to the fate of Yakshinies, Kanthi Rupudu and kanthi Rupini? The king Gandheswara kept them in the isolated 7 stared building to protect their privacy from public visit. It had lead to the separation of the pair. If they live in their old palace, might be the Yakshinies not seen him and taken him. All of this was according to their fate only. Without thinking about fate, people can say anything. But it is impossible for anybody to avoid the happenings of life according to their fate. Well, let’s come back to the story, by leaving this philosophical discussion.” By saying like this, the light stand was continuing the story.
At the world of Yakshinies, Kanthi Rupudu had woken up from sleep. He had seen all around. He didn’t find his loving wife beside himself. He noticed that it was new place. Mean while one of the Yakishinies came into that room. She had mesmerized him with her magical power. She had served him by fulfill his needs. She had given delicious food and drinks. She had entertained him with her talents of music, dance etc. She had decorated him with beautiful dress and ornaments. She made love with him. He had forgotten everything and enjoying.
Like this, every day, the Yakshinies were enjoying in his company on turns. Days were passing like this. One day, due to fate they had thought about kanthi Rupudu’s wife Kanthi Rupini. They discussed among themselves as “We had separated this handsome prince from his wife. We are enjoying with him by creating loneliness to his real wife. Our elders say that it is sin to snatch food from others and eat. His wife might love him. She might be chaste woman. She may curse us. It is not safe to us if we create tears in her eyes. Hence, let us provide her one turn after us.” [What a self deceive is this!]
By deciding like that, they had taken him on next full moon day and dropped him beside Kanthi Rupini on her bed. They had applied their magical power on the couple so that neither Kanthi Rupini nor Kanthi Rupudu could identify what was happening. With the magical sense, Kanthi Rupudu used to enjoy with his wife Kanthi Rupini on every full moon night. Because it was the magic power of Yakshinies, no human beings including Kanthi Rupini, servant-maids and security guards could notice what was happening. It had repeated for few months. After 5, 6 months Kanthi Rupini was conceived pregnancy. By watching the symptoms, the servant-maids felt surprise. They were murmuring among themselves as “She didn’t go anywhere at any time by leaving us. How she got pregnancy?” By watching their whispers, Kanthi Rupini asked “Oh dear servant-maids! You are friends to me. You are like my sisters. Why are you murmuring? What is the matter?”
They had expressed their doubts to her. She was shocked with fear and anger. She said, “Will the swans which swim in lotus lakes desire to eat ordinary snails? What are you talking? Do you think that I will be immoral to love others by leaving my husband? I will not look at Devendra even, except my husband. Will the bee which drink nectar from jasmines go to ---- flower? While you are guarding me and protecting me throughout day and night, how can I meet others by spraying dust in your eyes? You are saying that you sense symptoms of pregnancy with me. This is making me surprise and frightfulness. In fact, I don’t know this. By which mystery this happened, I really don’t know. The fate and God who had separated me from my husband may be driving me into this difficulty and blame. Oh, God! How can I escape from this blame? How can I protect myself? How can I prove my morality? How can I live with this blame?”
Kanthi Rupini was crying like anything. The servant-maids had consoled her. Later they gathered in a secret place. The leader of servant-maids said, “Friends! Our princess had no husband. When her husband is not here, how she conceived pregnancy? She is arguing that she didn’t know the reason of pregnancy. Is any thief say that he is a thief at any time? There must be some lover to her. It is no use of we argue with her. By any trick we have to trace him.” All others had accepted this deal. To find out the truth, they were spreading sand on the ways to Kanthi Rupini’s bedroom and on terrace on every night. They were observing for footprints. With much care, they were observing every day and night. As usual on full moon night, the 7 Yakshinies brought Kanthi Rupudu through air and dropped him on Kanthi Rupini’s bed. After their bathe in the lake, they had picked him up from the bed. That’s why on full moon night also, there were no footprints on the sand. Like that, the servant-maids efforts had failed. They were not able to trace out any body. Some more months were passed. By that time, Kanthi Rupini was pregnant by 8 months. The servant-maids decided to inform to the king about all of this. They feared about the king’s punishment for the delay. In their opinion, already they had delayed. That’s why, they had gone to the king’s court and stood there with folding hands. Their bodies were trembling with fear. Their faces were pale. The king asked “Oh servant-maids! What is the matter? Don’t fear. Say the truth?”
The servant-maids said, “Oh king! We are protecting your daughter-in-law like eyelids to eyes. From the day on which your son had disappeared, we are watching her, serving her and protecting her. No other men can reach the 7 stared palace. The security is very tight and perfect. By slipping the notice of security guards, even male bee could not enter into the palace. We don’t know what mystery had happened. Your daughter-in-law conceived pregnancy. Now she is with 8 months pregnancy. Since we noticed the symptoms of pregnancy, we had keenly observed. But we didn’t notice any person. We brought the truth to your notice. Now the issue is up to you.”
By hearing this, the king Gandheswara felt sad and shy. It was like the pestles’ beat on the injured finger. He said with his prime minister, “Oh Prime Minister! You are the justice of our kingdom. Your heard the servant-maids’ report. What we had to do?” The Prime Minster said, “Maharaja! We have to proceed according to Manu Dharma Sasthra. [It is the penal code of ancient India] In the administration and ruling of country, we have to decide punishment to people without showing the partiality of our people and other people. Then only people will accept the justice. Now your daughter-in-law had done most immoral and blamable act. This makes us blame in the world and public. Hence, at night about 15 Gadiyas time, you handover her to the soldiers and order them to leave her in the forest. This is the appropriate punishment to her.”
The king had ordered the soldiers to do so. The soldiers had dropped Kanthi Rupini in the thick forest and informed the same to the king. The king and his Queens had cried for their son’s missing and their daughter-in-law’s fate. They were leading life with prayers and devotion to God.
Kanthi Rupini had never gone out of royal palace since her birth. Such delicate and beautiful soft girl, how she had wept in that forest at that dark night, you can imagine. In that thick forest, at that dark night she was trembling by watching the trees, plants and ants. When the snakes moved beside her, her body was shriveling. She was frightening when the wild animals crying. When she tried to walk, her hair and dress had wound to thorn plants. She felt some body was dragging her. She was hurting by thorns pierced in her delicate feet. She was not able to see anything in that dark time. When she got strike against rocks, her delicate body was injured. Her body and feet became bleeding. She was crying with psychological hurt rather than the physical hurt. She had gone towards the wild animals by tracing them with sound, to offer her body as a bray to them. She wanted to commit suicide like that. She thought that it was better to die than living with blame. But when she had gone in front of wild animals, though the wild animals were cruel by virtue of their nature, by watching her pitiable face, the wild animals became kind and soft. They didn’t hurt her. Instead of hurting her, the wild animals had run away from her. Kanthi Rupini had cried like anything as the death also preventing her. While she was suffering like this, the mid might had passed. In the light of stars, she had traced a narrow way. Kanthi Rupini was walking on the way. She had watched a fire at far. She walked in that direction. By the way, she had reached the burial ground of Chandra Giri. She had seen an old woman there. That woman was burning a corpse. In fact, that old woman was a prostitute whose name was Soundarya Valli [The meaning of this name is a beautiful garland or creeper.] The corpse was of her daughter Chitra Valli [The meaning of this name is a wonderful garland] Chitra Valli was beautiful and young when she was alive. She was active in her profession of prostitution. She conceived the pregnancy. But the baby in her womb was dead. Hence, Chitra Valli’s delivery had turn as tragedy. She had died.
By the way, Soundraya Valli had lost her younger aged daughter at her old age. Because she had no relatives, she was burning the corpse of Chitra Valli herself.
By that time, Kanthi Rupini had reached there. She had seen the old prostitute and burning corpse there. She had thought “Well! The light I watched is from this burial ground. The body stood in front of the fire of corpse may be a ghost. If I go in front of that ghost, it will eat me. But such death is terrible. It is better to scarify life by entering into this fire, before this ghost kills me. Certainly it will be the appropriate act.” She had tied up her sari and Pallu tight. She had tied up her long and beautiful hair. By praying God with folding hands, she had paid 2 holy rounds around the burning corpse. After 3rd round, she got ready to jump into the fire. At that moment suddenly Soundarya Valli, the old prostitute woman had rushed towards her. Soundarya Valli had dragged Kanthi Rupini far from fire. She had taken the shocked young princess to other side of fire and made her to sit beside a tree. She had observed Kanthi Rupini and said, “Oh, Girl! You are like my mother. It seems that you are divine girl or princess. You are so beautiful and delicate. More over you are pregnant with matured months. In spite of carrying a baby in your womb, why did you try to jump into the fire of corpse?”
Kanthi Rupini said, “Oh Mother! If any person had the serious sorrows and difficulties, such person will take these types of steps. Others cannot understand this and others cannot experience it. Due to my fate, I’m facing unbearable sorrows and difficulties. That’s why, I want to die by jumping into that fire of corpse. You had spoilt my trial and saved me. May be you are thinking that you had done faith and good to me. But you had made me to suffer from terrible future. What you have done is not at all a holy thing. Is it not sin to throw a person from comfortable death to terrible future?”
With this conversation, the old woman had understood the desperation of Kanthi Rupini. She said, “Oh young girl. It seems that you are delicate and soft character girl. I had a daughter who was more beautiful than you are. Unfortunately, she had dead yesterday. I’m burning that corpse only here, into which you had tried to jump. My daughter had dead, because the baby in her womb had died before delivery. You are like my daughter. I have no other children and no body. I treat yourself as if my own daughter. I’ll take care of you in all sense. Please do come to my house. There won’t be any deficiency and difficulty to you in my house. You can think that it is your own house.”
By this way, the old woman i.e. prostitute Soundarya Valli had consoled Kanthi Rupini. She was convinced by the old woman’s words. Soundarya Valli had taken Kanthi Rupini to her house and treated her with medicines, food and other needs. After 4 days, she had enquired Kanthi Rupini for her personal details. Kanthi Rupini didn’t tell the truth. She said, “Mother! I’m an orphan. My name is Rupa Vathi. My husband had left me when I got pregnancy.”
Soundarya Valli didn’t stressed further. She was protecting Kanthi Rupini with all comforts. Days had passed. One day Kanthi Rupini got delivery pains. Soundarya Valli had called on a mid wife. She said, “Oh mid wife! If this woman gives birth to male child, kill him. I’ll give large amount of money and gold to you. If she gives birth to female child, protect the baby.” The midwife had agreed to this deal. Kanthi Rupini was suffering from pains. She was un-conscious. Soundarya Valli had tied a cloth across her two eyes. She had given birth to a boy. The kid was cute and bright like the sun in the sky. As per the deal, the midwife had taken the baby out along with her gift from Soundarya Valli.
After some time, Kanthi Rupini became conscious. She had opened the eyes and watched beside her. There was no baby. There was a wooden doll. She had asked Soundarya Valli, “Mother! What is this?” Soundarya Valli said, “I don’t know the miracle. But you had delivered this wooden doll only.” Kanthi Rupini had wept silently. She didn’t say anything. Soundarya Valli had cured Kanthi Rupini with medicines.
On the other hand, when the mid wife was taking the baby, on the way, she had seen the face of baby. The kid was smiling at her. The midwife had seen the glory of the baby. She thought, “This baby is very cute. What is the use of me by killing this innocent kid? Definitely l’ll gather sin by doing like that.” There was temple of Godden Durga at the end of that city, Chandra Giri. In the premises of that temple, there was a big anthill. In that, there was living a 5 headed king cobra. By that early in the morning, before sun rise there was semi dark at all. The mid wife had kept the kid beside the snake hill and gone away.
Oh king of kings! I know this story up to this only. I don’t know the remaining story. Hence, I can’t continue.”
The light stand said like that. By hearing this, Vikramadithya in the disguise of Vysya businessman said, “Very well light stand! What a story you told? The Prince i.e. father was in the world of Yakshaw. The princess i.e. mother was in the house of prostitute. Their baby was beside the snake’s hill. By leaving them like this, you had finished the story. For the remaining story, what I can do?”
The light stand said, “Oh king. Don’t be anger with me. What can I do? I heard the story upto this much only. While I was hearing the story with anxiety, somebody had taken me to another room. Won’t you know that I’m dependent on others. If you want to know the remaining story, this pillow had heard the remaining story. You can ask the pillow on which Hela Rambha had leaned, to tell the remaining the story.”
Immediately, Vikramadithya said, “Oh Pillow. I heard that you know the remaining story up to which the light stand had narrated. You must tell me the remaining story.” Co-ordinatively Bhethala had inserted himself in the pillow and said, “Oh Rajendra! Please consider my request. These people had filled me tightly with soft cotton and stitched with needle and thread. More over this beautiful young princess had leaned on me. In this situation, it is not possible for me to breathe even comfortable. While I’m suffering from these situations, you are insisting me to tell me the story. It seems that my work is like the idiom, ‘it is play to cat and the same is danger to life of rat’. Wont you have concern on me?”
By hearing this, Hela Rambha had thought, “This Vysya business man should not be a business man. He should not be deity or some other man. He might be Vikramadithya who is the emperor of Ujjain. Otherwise, how the curtain, light stand and pillow can tell stories? More over they are calling him as king, Maharaja, Rajendra etc. Let me verify it.”
By thinking like this, with pleasure, Hela Rambha had dropped the pillow in between their cots. The king Jambu Natha Varma and others who were surrounded that room, were eagerly waiting to know the rest of story. Vikramadithya said, “Oh pillow! This princess is so intellectual. She had concern on you. Hence, she had released you from your difficulties. Now let me hear the remaining story.”
Monday, February 2, 2009
THE STORY OF KANTHI RUPUDU AND KANTHI RUPINI
The curtain said …
Oh great man! Listen. The past-happened story I’m telling now. In ancient time, there was a king by name Gandheswara ruling Chandra Giri Kingdom. He had 120 wives. But he had no children. To have children, he had done penance to God. With God’s boon, his first Queen had given birth to a male child. The prince was cute. The king and his Queens were bringing up the prince with great love and affection. He was growing like moon in the bi-week before full moon day. They were calling him by name Kanthi Rupudu. [The meaning this name is light in the form of boy] When he was at the age of 5 years, his parents had sent him to a Gurukulam. [Gurukulam is the school cum college of those days. It was residential. Every disciple including rich and poor or from prince to poor should obey the rules of Gurukulam. They should obey their teacher. They should lead ordinary life by doing physical industry] Within 10 years, Kanthi Rupudu had learnt all Sasthras, arts and worrier qualities. By that time, he was at the age of 15 years. King Gandheswara was very happy with his son. He was worried to locate suitable match to him. One day he had called on his wives and said, “My dear Queens. Our child Kanthi Rupudu is very handsome. He became 15 years old. It is a tough task to locate a suitable girl to him. She must be equally beautiful to our handsome prince. She must be equally talented and learned to our boy. That’s why now itself we have to start to locate an appropriate bride to our son.”
All of his wives had supported him. They loved their son very much. The king had sent skilled Brahmins to neighboring kingdoms and all over the world. But they were not able to locate a suitable girl. They didn’t satisfy with any match.
Then the king had ordered painting artists to draw his son Kanthi Rupudu’s picture. They had done so. It was beautiful and lively. The king Gandheswara had given it to his ministers and sent them along with army troops to search for a suitable girl. They had visited so many kingdoms. But they didn’t satisfy with any princess, so that they didn’t locate any match to their prince. They felt sad and desperation. They had returned to their native Chandra Giri. On the way, they had reached a city called Thanthra Puram. Beside that city, there was a beautiful garden with flowers and fruits bearing plants and shady trees. The lake was filled with sweet and cool water. By that time, all the ministers and their soldiers were tired. They had constructed some tents on the bank of the lake and taking rest there.
In fact, there was a city by name Mahendra Giri at certain distance to this lake. King Maheswara was ruling it. He had 21 wives, but no children. He had done penance to have children. With God’s boon, his last Queen had given birth to a girl. The baby was like full moon. They had brought up her with great love and affection. They were calling her by name Kanthi Rupini. She had learnt all Sasthras i.e. subjects and 64 arts like music, dance, painting etc. Now she was at tean age. Her parents had wished to perform her marriage with any prince who should be equal to her in appearance, education and talents. They had sent Brahmins to neighboring kingdoms to locate a suitable prince to their princess. But they could not. Then the king Maheswara had sent his ministers along with army troops by giving the painting of their princess; to locate a right prince all over the world. They had searched wide but in vain. With desperation, they were returning to their native Mahendra giri. On the way, they had reached Thanthra Puram. They had constructed tents on the other bank of the lake to take rest in the mid of their journey.
By morning, both the teams of Chandra Giri and Mahendra Giri had watched the other party. The ministers of both kingdoms had sent messengers to enquire about the others. The messengers met on the way. The messengers of Chandra Giri had asked “Oh man! Who are you? Where is your native? Why did you stayed here. Let us know. Our ministers were interested to know.” The messengers of Mahendra Giri said, “We belong to Mahendra Giri. Our king has a princess. To locate a suitable prince to her to get marry, we are searching. But we are not able to achieve our task. With desperation, we are returning to our native. Who are you? Why are you staying here?”
By hearing that, the messengers of Chandra Giri said, “Good! This is like the appearance of God to whom we are going to pay our tributes. And this is like the winding of creeper to our feet for which we are searching. There is same case with us. We are searching for a suitable princess to our prince to marry. We have his painting. Let us inform this to our ministers.”
The messengers of the both kingdom felt happy and encourage. The ministers had met and exchanged their information. They had observed the painting of the prince and princess by keeping side by side. By watching the beauty of pair, they felt wonder. When they had known the names and the birth stories, they felt as if it was a miracle of God. The ministers of Mahendra Giri said, “The meeting of our teams is just accidental and un-expected. With desperation, we are returning to our native. There is same case with you. By luck, we met here. Really, God is great. This is his wonderful creation.”
The ministers of Chandra Giri had accepted this opinion. They had exchanged their painting and decided that Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were made for each other. The ministers of both kingdoms had taken send off mutually and left to their natives. They had informed to their respective kings.
By watching the painting of Kanthi Rupini, Gandheswara felt very happy. They had decided that she was the only choice to Kanthi Rupudu. By watching the painting of Kanthi Rupudu, Maheswara felt very very happy. Everybody had accepted the decision of performing marriage of Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu. Both the kings had decided an auspicious day to perform the marriage, by Brahmin scholars. They had done all arrangements for that celebration.
They had invited all of their relatives and friends. When time approached, king of Chandra Giri, Gandheswara had started to Maheswara Giri, with his Queens and bridegroom Kanthi Rupudu. The Brahmin scholars, artists, people, ministers, sub-ordinates, relatives and friends all were there. By staying at suitable places, they had reached Mahendra Giri within few days. King of Mahendra Giri, Maheswara had welcomed them on grand scale. He had treated them with respects and love. He had given gifts to all the invitees. He provided comfortable guesthouses to all of them. On the auspicious day, Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were made in beautiful and valuable dress with gold and diamond ornaments. The city was decorated with flowers, Pandyals and lights. The marriage was performed with Veda Mantras and sweet music. There was a great feast to all. Including people, everybody had enjoyed the occasion. The kings had donated valuable gifts to Brahmins and poor people. They had gifted all the invitees. There was no in-satisfaction in any body. Few days passed.
Then Gandheswara had taken leave from Maheswara. The marriage party was arriving Chandra Giri. People were waiting for the new pair. All of the city was decorated. The entrance of the fort was delighted with flowers and pearls garlands. They reached the city. People received their prince and newlywed princess with heart. They welcomed Kanthi Rupini, a bride to their kingdom with great love and affection. As per their tradition, the newlyweds had paid their holy round visit to the city and then entered into the city temple. They had performed devotional programs there. Then they reached their palace. They had taken rest there. The king Gandheswara had given gifts to the invitees and people. All of they had returned to their houses.
Since then, Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were living together. They loved each other. There was limit less love, affection and friendship in between them. Whatever they do, always they were together. They were enjoying with each other’s company. They were very good looking pair. They were like Rathi Manmadha who were famous as beautiful pair in deities. People were comparing them with Sachi Purondaras [Purandara i.e. Devendra is the king of deities and Sachi Devi is his Queen] and Rohini Chandras [Rohini is the name of star and Chandra means moon.]
Because Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were famous as most beautiful couple, people were coming to see them from near and far away places. Hence, their daily life was not peaceful. The king Gandheswara had watched all of this. He thought, “I had no children for long time. As a rare child, I got Kanthi Rupudu by the boon of God. With great effort, I made his marriage with Kanthi Rupini. Now their life is not with leisure and peacefulness. I have to prevent this problem.”
He had constructed a 7 stared building with height compound walls. The compound walls were as height as palm trees. The 7 stared palace was surrounded with beautiful garden, lakes and swimming pools. The garden was furnished with beautiful flower plants and fruits bearing trees. It was filled with colored flowers, sweet smells and butterflies. The lakes were furnished with lotus, water lilies and water birds. The entire construction was in the mid of hills beside the capital city, Chandra Giri.
Because of these arrangements, Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were enjoying life peacefully and happily. The required servants, servant-maids, guards and soldiers were appointed to serve them in their palace. Days were passing like this.
One day, it was full moon day. The full moon was bright in the sky like a golden plate. The white full moon light had spread like silver powder all over the earth. The entire world was sleeping with peace and comfort in the lap of Goddess ‘sleep’. There was a hills range beside Chandra Giri at certain distance. Among that range, there were 3 hills. In between them, there was beautiful lake. On every full moon day, 7 Yakshinies used to come on to the earth and take bathe in that lake. [Indians believe that Yakshaw world is one, among 14 worlds on this universe. The Yakshaw had magical powers. The females among Yakshaws were called as Yakshinies.]
Since long time, these 7 Yakshinies were coming to have pleasure bathe in that lake. On this full moon day also, they had came and had bathe. They had seen the 7 stared palace of Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu. They had thought, “Since long time we are coming here. But we didn’t notice this beautiful palace till now. It is so nice and attractive. Even in our rich world also, we didn’t notice this type of palace. We don’t know who is living in that palace. They might be deities or snake Gods. Unless we see this, we should not go to our world. Let us go to see that palace”. They had expressed this opinion among themselves. Then they had reached on to the terrace of the palace.
By that time, Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were sleeping on a beautiful bed i.e. Hamsa Thulika Thalpams [The bed made up of pure and soft silk, cotton and with Swans’ feathers] on the Terrace. The 7 Yakshinies had seen the beautiful couple. Later they had seen the entire palace in invisible form. They didn’t like to go to their world. They had pride, as they were most beautiful women in the universe. Now they had thought, “Oh God! Being human beings, this prince and princess are very attractive and this pair is very beautiful. Just they are looking like ‘Made for each other! God Brahma had created them and made them as a pair with most care. Though we are beautiful, but it is no use of our beauty unless we had the love of this prince. He is not eligible to be on this earth. He is eligible to be in our world and to enjoy with us.” They had shared their feelings among themselves. They had committed as “Let us enjoy sex with this prince on the base of turns. If we find a sweet fruit, we have to share among ourselves. It is not correct for one person to enjoy the fruit. And it is not correct to give the entire fruit to only one person. Unity is strength. Our elders used to tell this. [In fact, they had applied the elder’s words to the selfish things] If we live together with unity, we can achieve all comforts and luxurious. By leaving this, if we oppose one another, nobody can enjoy.”
Then they had applied Sammohana Mantra [a magic power by which we can make the others to loss self-consciousness and obey us] on Kanthi Rupudu. He lost self-consciousness. They had taken him to their world of Yakshaws. They had thought about unity among them; comfort of themselves and their luxuries. That’s why they made commitments to enjoy the Prince Kanthi Rupudu’s company on turns. But they didn’t think about the princess, his wife Kanthi Rupini. They didn’t concern about the sin of separating the loving wife and husband. Who is there to think about the other’s benefits by leaving their own benefits? Who is there to work for others by leaving self-benefits. People are there who are thinking to fill their bellies. People are not thinking about others. People are not concern about others. There are so many people like that. Rajendra! Won’t you see such people? You asked me to tell a story. I spaid that I can tell the story up to I know. I know this much story only. I don’t know the remaining story. In whichever manner you force me to tell the remaining story, it is of no use. Actually, some days back, I was not at a corner. Some people had spread me on floor like mat and sat on me. One of them had told this story. I was hearing if with interest and curiosity. By that time, a servant came there like God of unlucky i.e. Shani God to me. He was searching for me i.e. curtain. He had seen the people who were telling story by sitting on me. He said, “Enough! Enough! Stop your stories and chatting. While we are searching for this curtain, you are chatting here by sitting on this with leisure. It’s all enough. Get up.” Without giving sufficient time to them to get up, he had dragged me from there and taken me away. That’s why I didn’t hear the complete story?”
By saying like this, the curtain cloth kept calm. By hearing this Hela Rambha, servant-maids, king, Queen, ministers and others felt so much surprise. They felt sad for the in-completion of story. They were curious to hear the remaining story. With all these emotions, they didn’t notice that the curtain called the Vysya businessman as Rajendra i.e. king. They were waiting to hear the remaining story with eager and anxiety.
Then Vikramadithya who was in the disguise of Vysya businessman said, “Oh curtain cloth! Good! Good! What a good talk you had! Who had asked you to tell half story or in-completed story? If you don’t know this story completely, you have to say the same, in the beginning itself. You should not do like this. What is the use by giving half food to anybody to satisfy his hunger? Do you know how your work is now? While we are cheering the curd, by the moment when we are going to have butter, then if the pot get break, how it will be? Your story telling is like that! We should not work like that. If we do any work, it should be like lifting of butter from curd. However times you say that you don’t know the remaining story, I won’t leave you.”
The curtain said, “Oh Maharaja! It is no use to ask me repeatedly to tell the remaining story. After the servant had taken me from there, the people who were enjoying the story by sitting on me until then, they had continued to talk. But I was not able to hear. Then, this light stand on which the light is burning in the middle of yourself and the princess Hela Rambha, was there on that day. It had heard the reaming story. You ask the light stand to tell the story. It can tell you and you can enjoy it.”
Then Vikramadithya said, “Oh light stand! Can you tell me remaining story?” The light stand said, “Oh king! Don’t you have concern on me? I’m bearing this burning lamp on me. It is hot and oily. Actually, I was a tree branch in the forest. The royal carpenters came there, cut me off and carved me into this light stand with beautiful sculpture. You are enjoying my sculpture beauty and lighting service. But I’m suffering from hot and oily touch. I know the remaining story. But I can’t tell you.” All the listeners had felt wonder. They thought, “What a wonder is this? Till now, the curtain had told a story. Now this light stand is speaking. We didn’t hear about such wonders in previous. Where is light stand, how it is telling a story?”
By thinking like this, they were eager to hear the rest of story. Then Hela Rambha ordered her servant-maids to keep the burning lamp on some other stand and wipe it with cloth. They had done so.
Vikramadithya said, “Oh light stand! This princess Hela Rambha is so kind. She had lifted you from sufferings. Now let me hear the story. Please tell me the remaining story. I’m very eager to hear it.”
The light stand said, “Oh king of kings! I know the rest of story to some extent, which the curtain had told you. If you want, I tell you. Listen with care.”
Oh great man! Listen. The past-happened story I’m telling now. In ancient time, there was a king by name Gandheswara ruling Chandra Giri Kingdom. He had 120 wives. But he had no children. To have children, he had done penance to God. With God’s boon, his first Queen had given birth to a male child. The prince was cute. The king and his Queens were bringing up the prince with great love and affection. He was growing like moon in the bi-week before full moon day. They were calling him by name Kanthi Rupudu. [The meaning this name is light in the form of boy] When he was at the age of 5 years, his parents had sent him to a Gurukulam. [Gurukulam is the school cum college of those days. It was residential. Every disciple including rich and poor or from prince to poor should obey the rules of Gurukulam. They should obey their teacher. They should lead ordinary life by doing physical industry] Within 10 years, Kanthi Rupudu had learnt all Sasthras, arts and worrier qualities. By that time, he was at the age of 15 years. King Gandheswara was very happy with his son. He was worried to locate suitable match to him. One day he had called on his wives and said, “My dear Queens. Our child Kanthi Rupudu is very handsome. He became 15 years old. It is a tough task to locate a suitable girl to him. She must be equally beautiful to our handsome prince. She must be equally talented and learned to our boy. That’s why now itself we have to start to locate an appropriate bride to our son.”
All of his wives had supported him. They loved their son very much. The king had sent skilled Brahmins to neighboring kingdoms and all over the world. But they were not able to locate a suitable girl. They didn’t satisfy with any match.
Then the king had ordered painting artists to draw his son Kanthi Rupudu’s picture. They had done so. It was beautiful and lively. The king Gandheswara had given it to his ministers and sent them along with army troops to search for a suitable girl. They had visited so many kingdoms. But they didn’t satisfy with any princess, so that they didn’t locate any match to their prince. They felt sad and desperation. They had returned to their native Chandra Giri. On the way, they had reached a city called Thanthra Puram. Beside that city, there was a beautiful garden with flowers and fruits bearing plants and shady trees. The lake was filled with sweet and cool water. By that time, all the ministers and their soldiers were tired. They had constructed some tents on the bank of the lake and taking rest there.
In fact, there was a city by name Mahendra Giri at certain distance to this lake. King Maheswara was ruling it. He had 21 wives, but no children. He had done penance to have children. With God’s boon, his last Queen had given birth to a girl. The baby was like full moon. They had brought up her with great love and affection. They were calling her by name Kanthi Rupini. She had learnt all Sasthras i.e. subjects and 64 arts like music, dance, painting etc. Now she was at tean age. Her parents had wished to perform her marriage with any prince who should be equal to her in appearance, education and talents. They had sent Brahmins to neighboring kingdoms to locate a suitable prince to their princess. But they could not. Then the king Maheswara had sent his ministers along with army troops by giving the painting of their princess; to locate a right prince all over the world. They had searched wide but in vain. With desperation, they were returning to their native Mahendra giri. On the way, they had reached Thanthra Puram. They had constructed tents on the other bank of the lake to take rest in the mid of their journey.
By morning, both the teams of Chandra Giri and Mahendra Giri had watched the other party. The ministers of both kingdoms had sent messengers to enquire about the others. The messengers met on the way. The messengers of Chandra Giri had asked “Oh man! Who are you? Where is your native? Why did you stayed here. Let us know. Our ministers were interested to know.” The messengers of Mahendra Giri said, “We belong to Mahendra Giri. Our king has a princess. To locate a suitable prince to her to get marry, we are searching. But we are not able to achieve our task. With desperation, we are returning to our native. Who are you? Why are you staying here?”
By hearing that, the messengers of Chandra Giri said, “Good! This is like the appearance of God to whom we are going to pay our tributes. And this is like the winding of creeper to our feet for which we are searching. There is same case with us. We are searching for a suitable princess to our prince to marry. We have his painting. Let us inform this to our ministers.”
The messengers of the both kingdom felt happy and encourage. The ministers had met and exchanged their information. They had observed the painting of the prince and princess by keeping side by side. By watching the beauty of pair, they felt wonder. When they had known the names and the birth stories, they felt as if it was a miracle of God. The ministers of Mahendra Giri said, “The meeting of our teams is just accidental and un-expected. With desperation, we are returning to our native. There is same case with you. By luck, we met here. Really, God is great. This is his wonderful creation.”
The ministers of Chandra Giri had accepted this opinion. They had exchanged their painting and decided that Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were made for each other. The ministers of both kingdoms had taken send off mutually and left to their natives. They had informed to their respective kings.
By watching the painting of Kanthi Rupini, Gandheswara felt very happy. They had decided that she was the only choice to Kanthi Rupudu. By watching the painting of Kanthi Rupudu, Maheswara felt very very happy. Everybody had accepted the decision of performing marriage of Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu. Both the kings had decided an auspicious day to perform the marriage, by Brahmin scholars. They had done all arrangements for that celebration.
They had invited all of their relatives and friends. When time approached, king of Chandra Giri, Gandheswara had started to Maheswara Giri, with his Queens and bridegroom Kanthi Rupudu. The Brahmin scholars, artists, people, ministers, sub-ordinates, relatives and friends all were there. By staying at suitable places, they had reached Mahendra Giri within few days. King of Mahendra Giri, Maheswara had welcomed them on grand scale. He had treated them with respects and love. He had given gifts to all the invitees. He provided comfortable guesthouses to all of them. On the auspicious day, Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were made in beautiful and valuable dress with gold and diamond ornaments. The city was decorated with flowers, Pandyals and lights. The marriage was performed with Veda Mantras and sweet music. There was a great feast to all. Including people, everybody had enjoyed the occasion. The kings had donated valuable gifts to Brahmins and poor people. They had gifted all the invitees. There was no in-satisfaction in any body. Few days passed.
Then Gandheswara had taken leave from Maheswara. The marriage party was arriving Chandra Giri. People were waiting for the new pair. All of the city was decorated. The entrance of the fort was delighted with flowers and pearls garlands. They reached the city. People received their prince and newlywed princess with heart. They welcomed Kanthi Rupini, a bride to their kingdom with great love and affection. As per their tradition, the newlyweds had paid their holy round visit to the city and then entered into the city temple. They had performed devotional programs there. Then they reached their palace. They had taken rest there. The king Gandheswara had given gifts to the invitees and people. All of they had returned to their houses.
Since then, Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were living together. They loved each other. There was limit less love, affection and friendship in between them. Whatever they do, always they were together. They were enjoying with each other’s company. They were very good looking pair. They were like Rathi Manmadha who were famous as beautiful pair in deities. People were comparing them with Sachi Purondaras [Purandara i.e. Devendra is the king of deities and Sachi Devi is his Queen] and Rohini Chandras [Rohini is the name of star and Chandra means moon.]
Because Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were famous as most beautiful couple, people were coming to see them from near and far away places. Hence, their daily life was not peaceful. The king Gandheswara had watched all of this. He thought, “I had no children for long time. As a rare child, I got Kanthi Rupudu by the boon of God. With great effort, I made his marriage with Kanthi Rupini. Now their life is not with leisure and peacefulness. I have to prevent this problem.”
He had constructed a 7 stared building with height compound walls. The compound walls were as height as palm trees. The 7 stared palace was surrounded with beautiful garden, lakes and swimming pools. The garden was furnished with beautiful flower plants and fruits bearing trees. It was filled with colored flowers, sweet smells and butterflies. The lakes were furnished with lotus, water lilies and water birds. The entire construction was in the mid of hills beside the capital city, Chandra Giri.
Because of these arrangements, Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were enjoying life peacefully and happily. The required servants, servant-maids, guards and soldiers were appointed to serve them in their palace. Days were passing like this.
One day, it was full moon day. The full moon was bright in the sky like a golden plate. The white full moon light had spread like silver powder all over the earth. The entire world was sleeping with peace and comfort in the lap of Goddess ‘sleep’. There was a hills range beside Chandra Giri at certain distance. Among that range, there were 3 hills. In between them, there was beautiful lake. On every full moon day, 7 Yakshinies used to come on to the earth and take bathe in that lake. [Indians believe that Yakshaw world is one, among 14 worlds on this universe. The Yakshaw had magical powers. The females among Yakshaws were called as Yakshinies.]
Since long time, these 7 Yakshinies were coming to have pleasure bathe in that lake. On this full moon day also, they had came and had bathe. They had seen the 7 stared palace of Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu. They had thought, “Since long time we are coming here. But we didn’t notice this beautiful palace till now. It is so nice and attractive. Even in our rich world also, we didn’t notice this type of palace. We don’t know who is living in that palace. They might be deities or snake Gods. Unless we see this, we should not go to our world. Let us go to see that palace”. They had expressed this opinion among themselves. Then they had reached on to the terrace of the palace.
By that time, Kanthi Rupini and Kanthi Rupudu were sleeping on a beautiful bed i.e. Hamsa Thulika Thalpams [The bed made up of pure and soft silk, cotton and with Swans’ feathers] on the Terrace. The 7 Yakshinies had seen the beautiful couple. Later they had seen the entire palace in invisible form. They didn’t like to go to their world. They had pride, as they were most beautiful women in the universe. Now they had thought, “Oh God! Being human beings, this prince and princess are very attractive and this pair is very beautiful. Just they are looking like ‘Made for each other! God Brahma had created them and made them as a pair with most care. Though we are beautiful, but it is no use of our beauty unless we had the love of this prince. He is not eligible to be on this earth. He is eligible to be in our world and to enjoy with us.” They had shared their feelings among themselves. They had committed as “Let us enjoy sex with this prince on the base of turns. If we find a sweet fruit, we have to share among ourselves. It is not correct for one person to enjoy the fruit. And it is not correct to give the entire fruit to only one person. Unity is strength. Our elders used to tell this. [In fact, they had applied the elder’s words to the selfish things] If we live together with unity, we can achieve all comforts and luxurious. By leaving this, if we oppose one another, nobody can enjoy.”
Then they had applied Sammohana Mantra [a magic power by which we can make the others to loss self-consciousness and obey us] on Kanthi Rupudu. He lost self-consciousness. They had taken him to their world of Yakshaws. They had thought about unity among them; comfort of themselves and their luxuries. That’s why they made commitments to enjoy the Prince Kanthi Rupudu’s company on turns. But they didn’t think about the princess, his wife Kanthi Rupini. They didn’t concern about the sin of separating the loving wife and husband. Who is there to think about the other’s benefits by leaving their own benefits? Who is there to work for others by leaving self-benefits. People are there who are thinking to fill their bellies. People are not thinking about others. People are not concern about others. There are so many people like that. Rajendra! Won’t you see such people? You asked me to tell a story. I spaid that I can tell the story up to I know. I know this much story only. I don’t know the remaining story. In whichever manner you force me to tell the remaining story, it is of no use. Actually, some days back, I was not at a corner. Some people had spread me on floor like mat and sat on me. One of them had told this story. I was hearing if with interest and curiosity. By that time, a servant came there like God of unlucky i.e. Shani God to me. He was searching for me i.e. curtain. He had seen the people who were telling story by sitting on me. He said, “Enough! Enough! Stop your stories and chatting. While we are searching for this curtain, you are chatting here by sitting on this with leisure. It’s all enough. Get up.” Without giving sufficient time to them to get up, he had dragged me from there and taken me away. That’s why I didn’t hear the complete story?”
By saying like this, the curtain cloth kept calm. By hearing this Hela Rambha, servant-maids, king, Queen, ministers and others felt so much surprise. They felt sad for the in-completion of story. They were curious to hear the remaining story. With all these emotions, they didn’t notice that the curtain called the Vysya businessman as Rajendra i.e. king. They were waiting to hear the remaining story with eager and anxiety.
Then Vikramadithya who was in the disguise of Vysya businessman said, “Oh curtain cloth! Good! Good! What a good talk you had! Who had asked you to tell half story or in-completed story? If you don’t know this story completely, you have to say the same, in the beginning itself. You should not do like this. What is the use by giving half food to anybody to satisfy his hunger? Do you know how your work is now? While we are cheering the curd, by the moment when we are going to have butter, then if the pot get break, how it will be? Your story telling is like that! We should not work like that. If we do any work, it should be like lifting of butter from curd. However times you say that you don’t know the remaining story, I won’t leave you.”
The curtain said, “Oh Maharaja! It is no use to ask me repeatedly to tell the remaining story. After the servant had taken me from there, the people who were enjoying the story by sitting on me until then, they had continued to talk. But I was not able to hear. Then, this light stand on which the light is burning in the middle of yourself and the princess Hela Rambha, was there on that day. It had heard the reaming story. You ask the light stand to tell the story. It can tell you and you can enjoy it.”
Then Vikramadithya said, “Oh light stand! Can you tell me remaining story?” The light stand said, “Oh king! Don’t you have concern on me? I’m bearing this burning lamp on me. It is hot and oily. Actually, I was a tree branch in the forest. The royal carpenters came there, cut me off and carved me into this light stand with beautiful sculpture. You are enjoying my sculpture beauty and lighting service. But I’m suffering from hot and oily touch. I know the remaining story. But I can’t tell you.” All the listeners had felt wonder. They thought, “What a wonder is this? Till now, the curtain had told a story. Now this light stand is speaking. We didn’t hear about such wonders in previous. Where is light stand, how it is telling a story?”
By thinking like this, they were eager to hear the rest of story. Then Hela Rambha ordered her servant-maids to keep the burning lamp on some other stand and wipe it with cloth. They had done so.
Vikramadithya said, “Oh light stand! This princess Hela Rambha is so kind. She had lifted you from sufferings. Now let me hear the story. Please tell me the remaining story. I’m very eager to hear it.”
The light stand said, “Oh king of kings! I know the rest of story to some extent, which the curtain had told you. If you want, I tell you. Listen with care.”
Saturday, January 31, 2009
THE STORY OF HELA RAMBHA
Vikramadithya also sat on the diamond carpet. It had reached an Island by name Pushkara Dweepam. Vikramadithya was wandering on that Island along with Brahmin’s son, Vedantha Kovida. In that Island, there was a city by name Jambu Natha Puram. Its king was Jambu Natha Varma. Since long time he had no children. He had done penance to God for many years. With God’s boon, he had a daughter who had the glory like son God. He had put the name ‘Hela Rambha’ to his daughter. He had brought up Hela Rambha with great love and affection. He learnt her all arts and education. She had grown up to teen age. The King and Queen were thinking to make her marriage. They had informed their decision to her. She said, “Dear father! If you want to perform my marriage, you please declare my Swayam varam. You invite all the princes of all countries. You assemble them in marriage hall. I will select my husband among them. I’ll keep garland of flowers on the neck of any prince whom I like to marry.”
According to her will, Jambu Natha Varma had declared the Swayam Varam of his daughter Hela Rambha. He had invited the princes of all countries. The princes had arrived to their city. The king, Jambu Natha Varma had received them with honor and accommodated them in guesthouses. The function of Swayam varam and the consecutive function of marriage was about to happen. The city Jambu Natha Varam was decorated with flowers, fresh leaves, and gems. The roads were decorated with cool pandyals, flowers and Rangolies. The sweet and festival music tunes were spread in the city. Everywhere there were perfumes of flowers and smiles of people. There was excitement and pleasure.
Exactly by this time, Vikramadithya had reached this city along with the Brahmin kid. By watching the festival celebrations in the city, he had enquired the public there. He said, “Why this celebration is happening?” The people said, “It is the marriage occasion of our princess Hela Rambha”. Vikramadithya said, “With whom? Who is the prince that your princess is going to marry?” They said, “She had decided to select her bride groom in the Swayam varam. Hence, all the princes were invited and all of they had arrived already.”
Vikramadithya had decided to participate in the Swayam varam. He had identified a Brahmin scholar in that Jambu Natha Puram. He had taken the Brahmin boy to his house and said, “Oh Brahmin scholar. You are like my father. Can you keep this Brahmin boy for 40 days in your house? I’ll give 40 Honnes [That was currency of ancient India in Vikramadithya era] to you for his expenditure. I’ll pick up him after 40 days. Can you help me like this?” The Brahmin scholar said, “Oh Paradesi! [That means foreigner] Jambu Natha Puram is not such immoral and draughtful to charge for a guest. You can leave this kid at my house without any objection at free of cost. I can protect him as if he is my own child. You need not worry.”
Vikramadithya felt happy and kept Vedantha Kovida there. He had given his ornaments, weapons and other things to Bhethala to save them. He had made himself in the disguise of diamond’s merchant with the help of Bhethala. He had gone to Market Street. There he had spread his diamonds’ carpet and opened his selling outlet of gems. He had kept the heaps of gems like agates, amethysts, carbuncles, rubies, corals, diamonds, emeralds, jacinths, laps lazullies, pearls, quartzes, sapphires, sardonyx and topazes. The gems which he had offered to sell were very bright, good quality at cheap price. He introduced himself as a businessman of gems from far away country. Any gems were available at his Shoppe, however valuable gems they were, at reliable price. This news was spread in the city like wild fire. People of that city were visiting him. They were amazed at his communicational skills and handsome appearance. He was talking with them with sweet words and jokes. By time passing, his shop was with hectic rush of people. The wonderful news was spread up to the princes who were in the guesthouses and waiting for the Swayamvaram. They had came to Vikrmadithya’s diamonds’ shop one by one. Later they had forgotten everything including Swayamvaram Muhurtham [That means auspicious time.]
It was up to the Swayam Varam time. Jambu Natha Varma had watched that no princes had arrived to the marriage hall. He had sent his servants to guesthouses to invite the princes to the marriage hall. The royal servants had rushed to the guesthouses to implement the king’s order. But nobody was there. They had enquired the assistants of princes there. The assistants informed the royal servants as the princes had gone to Market Street. The royal servants had ran to the market street. There they had seen the diamonds merchant whom around all the princes had gathered. Vikrmadithya was like Devendra surrounded by deities. He was like moon in the middle of stars. They had felt wonder with the glory and handsome of Vikramadithya. They had observed the rare gems, which he was offering to the princes. The royal servants immediately informed all of this to their king Jambu Natha Varma. The king felt wonder about this. He had gone to market street to observe these matter personally. He had watched Vikramadithya. The king was mesmerized with his glory, handsome appearance and sweet words. He had invited the businessman [Vikramadithya] also to the marriage hall. Then all the princes, the king, businessman [Vikramadithya] and others had came to the marriage hall.
By that time, Jamba Natha Varma had ordered the servant-maids to bring his daughter Hela Rambha to the marriage hall. The servant-maids had informed the king’s order to her. Hela Rambha had worn good and bright silk dress and diamonds ornaments. She was decorated with Sandal powder, other perfumes and flowers by her servant-maids. She had taken flower garland and pearls garland in the hands and reached the marriage hall. She was accompanied with servant-maids. When she was arriving, a sweet music was made by the musicians with their instruments and voices. The Brahmin scholars were chanting good mantras. She was looking like a flashlight in the clouds. Every prince got excitement by watching her. Every prince had wished as it would be nice, if she select him.
Hela Rabha had gone on two rounds in the Swayam varam Mandapam i.e. marriage hall. While she was taking 3rd round, she had seen Vikramadithya who was in the disguise of businessman. She had thought, as he was the appropriate man for her to marry, by watching his glory and handsome appearance. She didn’t think anything else. She didn’t observe others. Without any doubt and fear she had put her Varamala i.e. marriage garland in his neck. All the princes and others were shocked. They had seen at one and other’s face. They had laughed aloud and said, “When all the princes are here, this princess had selected a business man as her husband. How funny is this?”
Then only Hela Rambha had seen the dress sense of Vikramadithya. She had noticed that he was a businessman. With shock, she became unconscious. The servant-maids had taken her inside. Jambu Natha Varma said apologies to the courtiers and princes. All had gone to their houses respectively. The king Jambu Natha Varma had gone to his palace. He felt shy and sad for what happened. He thought, “What a strange or mystery is this, we don’t know. I never think that my daughter’s fate will be like this. What is the use of her education and learning. In spite of all her education, she had shown her immaturity and imbalance.”
By that time, Hela Rambha was relaxed from her shock and unconsciousness by the treatment of her servant-maids and doctors. The king had gone to his daughter’s palace. She said, “Oh, father. You are very sad. I think you are feeling sorrow because I had put Varamala in the neck of a businessman by leaving all the princes and kings. There is no use of such sorrow. Who can escape from fate? When I observed the kings, Princes and businessman in the marriage hall, the businessman looks like diamond, the princes and kings look like glass pieces. The businessman should not be businessman. My mind is sensing it. By watching him, he seems to be kings of king. By watching his versatility and glory, I thought that he is not ordinary man. Because of that, I had selected him as my husband. But I sense that you have something doubt about all this. To eliminate our doubts, I tell you a trick. There is still 15 Gadiyas time to next morning. This night, you send him to my room. Keep a curtain in the mid of my room. Before sunrise, I can know his personal particulars of race and family by talking with him without watching his face. Then you can perform my marriage with him. Otherwise, let us play some other suitable trick by that time.”
The king Jambu Natha Varma agreed to this deal. As per that, they had arranged a screen i.e. curtain in the mid of Hela Rambha’s room. They arranged one more cot with beautiful wooden carving beyond the curtain. They had kept soft bed i.e. mattress which was made with smooth cotton and birds’ feathers with silk covers. They had decorated the room with flowers, perfumes and lights.
They brought Vikramadithya who was in the disguise of Vysya businessman to there. The servant-maids said, “Oh respected Setty! Please do come. Our princess had kept Varamala in your neck by leaving all the princes and kings. She had selected you as her husband. Whenever she had kept the Varamala on you, then you became husband to her, and she became wife to you. Hence, you can go to Hela Rambha’s palace.”
By this way, the servant-maids had invited him. As per their guidance, Vikramadithya had reached Hela Rambha’s room. He sat on the royal bed, which was arranged for him. The servant-maids had served delicious dinner to him with fruits and sweets. They had served a rich and tasty pan to him. After dinner, he was relaxing on the bed. Then Hela Rambha had came there and sat behind the curtain to him. The servant-maids had stood beside her. The king Jambu Natha Varma, his Queen, Ministers and others were waiting outside of that room.
By watching all of this, Vikramadithya who was in the disguise of Vysya man, thought, “They didn’t performed my marriage with Hela Rambha, because they don’t know about my particulars such as race and family details. If I keep calm, then there won’t be any fruitful in the task. Moreover, if I don’t reveal my particulars, after sunrise, they may drive me out. Before such disregards, it is better to reveal my particulars. Let me declare myself in attractive, sensational, wonderful and exciting way.”
He had called on Bhethala. Bhethala appeared before him, without notice of others. Vikramadithya explained him all and ordered to declare his particulars in an amazing way. Bhethala had accepted and they discussed about a trick. As per that, Bhethala had inserted himself in the curtain.
Then Vikramadithya said with loud voice, “When I was talking with princes and kings during my business in a humorous way, these people had brought me to the marriage hall. The princess had kept Varamala in my neck. Whenever she kept Varamala on me, she became wife to me. In spite of this, she is neglecting me and not speaking with me. To my eyes, sleep is not getting. This light is burning. The time is not passing. Hence, oh curtain cloth! Please tell me a story up to you know it. By hearing story, time will pass by with pleasure.”
What a surprise! The curtain said, “Oh father! You are kind. You ask me to tell a story to pass time with pleasure. But I was tied up here. By having such tight ties, how can I tell you story. Actually, in previous I was as cotton. Later I had suffered in the hands of weavers. Then I was in the form of two pieces of clothes. These servant-maids had purchased me and torn off me into pieces. They had stitched me with needle and string, on four sides. They had tied me and made me as a screen in between the both of you. By the way I’m suffering a lot. With such suffering, how can I tell you a wonderful story? How it is possible? By knowing all of my sufferings, you are troubling me to tell a story. Off course, it is natural in this world. People will consider their difficulties as severe and treat other’s difficulties as easy going. They don’t know the other’s difficulties.”
By hearing all of this, Hela Rambha thought, “Oh God! What a wonder! Till yesterday, this curtain was not active. But now it is speaking. We don’t know what type of magic and mystery is this. The person who is sitting here is able to converse with curtain cloth. In such case, he might be great person. He should not be normal man. I should know who he is.”
By thinking like this, Hela Rambha had released the ties and dropped the curtain on the floor. Vikramadithya said, “Oh curtain! This princess is so kind to you. She had released you from ties. Now you are free. Hence, you please tell us a story to pass time with pleasure.”
The curtain started to tell the story.
According to her will, Jambu Natha Varma had declared the Swayam Varam of his daughter Hela Rambha. He had invited the princes of all countries. The princes had arrived to their city. The king, Jambu Natha Varma had received them with honor and accommodated them in guesthouses. The function of Swayam varam and the consecutive function of marriage was about to happen. The city Jambu Natha Varam was decorated with flowers, fresh leaves, and gems. The roads were decorated with cool pandyals, flowers and Rangolies. The sweet and festival music tunes were spread in the city. Everywhere there were perfumes of flowers and smiles of people. There was excitement and pleasure.
Exactly by this time, Vikramadithya had reached this city along with the Brahmin kid. By watching the festival celebrations in the city, he had enquired the public there. He said, “Why this celebration is happening?” The people said, “It is the marriage occasion of our princess Hela Rambha”. Vikramadithya said, “With whom? Who is the prince that your princess is going to marry?” They said, “She had decided to select her bride groom in the Swayam varam. Hence, all the princes were invited and all of they had arrived already.”
Vikramadithya had decided to participate in the Swayam varam. He had identified a Brahmin scholar in that Jambu Natha Puram. He had taken the Brahmin boy to his house and said, “Oh Brahmin scholar. You are like my father. Can you keep this Brahmin boy for 40 days in your house? I’ll give 40 Honnes [That was currency of ancient India in Vikramadithya era] to you for his expenditure. I’ll pick up him after 40 days. Can you help me like this?” The Brahmin scholar said, “Oh Paradesi! [That means foreigner] Jambu Natha Puram is not such immoral and draughtful to charge for a guest. You can leave this kid at my house without any objection at free of cost. I can protect him as if he is my own child. You need not worry.”
Vikramadithya felt happy and kept Vedantha Kovida there. He had given his ornaments, weapons and other things to Bhethala to save them. He had made himself in the disguise of diamond’s merchant with the help of Bhethala. He had gone to Market Street. There he had spread his diamonds’ carpet and opened his selling outlet of gems. He had kept the heaps of gems like agates, amethysts, carbuncles, rubies, corals, diamonds, emeralds, jacinths, laps lazullies, pearls, quartzes, sapphires, sardonyx and topazes. The gems which he had offered to sell were very bright, good quality at cheap price. He introduced himself as a businessman of gems from far away country. Any gems were available at his Shoppe, however valuable gems they were, at reliable price. This news was spread in the city like wild fire. People of that city were visiting him. They were amazed at his communicational skills and handsome appearance. He was talking with them with sweet words and jokes. By time passing, his shop was with hectic rush of people. The wonderful news was spread up to the princes who were in the guesthouses and waiting for the Swayamvaram. They had came to Vikrmadithya’s diamonds’ shop one by one. Later they had forgotten everything including Swayamvaram Muhurtham [That means auspicious time.]
It was up to the Swayam Varam time. Jambu Natha Varma had watched that no princes had arrived to the marriage hall. He had sent his servants to guesthouses to invite the princes to the marriage hall. The royal servants had rushed to the guesthouses to implement the king’s order. But nobody was there. They had enquired the assistants of princes there. The assistants informed the royal servants as the princes had gone to Market Street. The royal servants had ran to the market street. There they had seen the diamonds merchant whom around all the princes had gathered. Vikrmadithya was like Devendra surrounded by deities. He was like moon in the middle of stars. They had felt wonder with the glory and handsome of Vikramadithya. They had observed the rare gems, which he was offering to the princes. The royal servants immediately informed all of this to their king Jambu Natha Varma. The king felt wonder about this. He had gone to market street to observe these matter personally. He had watched Vikramadithya. The king was mesmerized with his glory, handsome appearance and sweet words. He had invited the businessman [Vikramadithya] also to the marriage hall. Then all the princes, the king, businessman [Vikramadithya] and others had came to the marriage hall.
By that time, Jamba Natha Varma had ordered the servant-maids to bring his daughter Hela Rambha to the marriage hall. The servant-maids had informed the king’s order to her. Hela Rambha had worn good and bright silk dress and diamonds ornaments. She was decorated with Sandal powder, other perfumes and flowers by her servant-maids. She had taken flower garland and pearls garland in the hands and reached the marriage hall. She was accompanied with servant-maids. When she was arriving, a sweet music was made by the musicians with their instruments and voices. The Brahmin scholars were chanting good mantras. She was looking like a flashlight in the clouds. Every prince got excitement by watching her. Every prince had wished as it would be nice, if she select him.
Hela Rabha had gone on two rounds in the Swayam varam Mandapam i.e. marriage hall. While she was taking 3rd round, she had seen Vikramadithya who was in the disguise of businessman. She had thought, as he was the appropriate man for her to marry, by watching his glory and handsome appearance. She didn’t think anything else. She didn’t observe others. Without any doubt and fear she had put her Varamala i.e. marriage garland in his neck. All the princes and others were shocked. They had seen at one and other’s face. They had laughed aloud and said, “When all the princes are here, this princess had selected a business man as her husband. How funny is this?”
Then only Hela Rambha had seen the dress sense of Vikramadithya. She had noticed that he was a businessman. With shock, she became unconscious. The servant-maids had taken her inside. Jambu Natha Varma said apologies to the courtiers and princes. All had gone to their houses respectively. The king Jambu Natha Varma had gone to his palace. He felt shy and sad for what happened. He thought, “What a strange or mystery is this, we don’t know. I never think that my daughter’s fate will be like this. What is the use of her education and learning. In spite of all her education, she had shown her immaturity and imbalance.”
By that time, Hela Rambha was relaxed from her shock and unconsciousness by the treatment of her servant-maids and doctors. The king had gone to his daughter’s palace. She said, “Oh, father. You are very sad. I think you are feeling sorrow because I had put Varamala in the neck of a businessman by leaving all the princes and kings. There is no use of such sorrow. Who can escape from fate? When I observed the kings, Princes and businessman in the marriage hall, the businessman looks like diamond, the princes and kings look like glass pieces. The businessman should not be businessman. My mind is sensing it. By watching him, he seems to be kings of king. By watching his versatility and glory, I thought that he is not ordinary man. Because of that, I had selected him as my husband. But I sense that you have something doubt about all this. To eliminate our doubts, I tell you a trick. There is still 15 Gadiyas time to next morning. This night, you send him to my room. Keep a curtain in the mid of my room. Before sunrise, I can know his personal particulars of race and family by talking with him without watching his face. Then you can perform my marriage with him. Otherwise, let us play some other suitable trick by that time.”
The king Jambu Natha Varma agreed to this deal. As per that, they had arranged a screen i.e. curtain in the mid of Hela Rambha’s room. They arranged one more cot with beautiful wooden carving beyond the curtain. They had kept soft bed i.e. mattress which was made with smooth cotton and birds’ feathers with silk covers. They had decorated the room with flowers, perfumes and lights.
They brought Vikramadithya who was in the disguise of Vysya businessman to there. The servant-maids said, “Oh respected Setty! Please do come. Our princess had kept Varamala in your neck by leaving all the princes and kings. She had selected you as her husband. Whenever she had kept the Varamala on you, then you became husband to her, and she became wife to you. Hence, you can go to Hela Rambha’s palace.”
By this way, the servant-maids had invited him. As per their guidance, Vikramadithya had reached Hela Rambha’s room. He sat on the royal bed, which was arranged for him. The servant-maids had served delicious dinner to him with fruits and sweets. They had served a rich and tasty pan to him. After dinner, he was relaxing on the bed. Then Hela Rambha had came there and sat behind the curtain to him. The servant-maids had stood beside her. The king Jambu Natha Varma, his Queen, Ministers and others were waiting outside of that room.
By watching all of this, Vikramadithya who was in the disguise of Vysya man, thought, “They didn’t performed my marriage with Hela Rambha, because they don’t know about my particulars such as race and family details. If I keep calm, then there won’t be any fruitful in the task. Moreover, if I don’t reveal my particulars, after sunrise, they may drive me out. Before such disregards, it is better to reveal my particulars. Let me declare myself in attractive, sensational, wonderful and exciting way.”
He had called on Bhethala. Bhethala appeared before him, without notice of others. Vikramadithya explained him all and ordered to declare his particulars in an amazing way. Bhethala had accepted and they discussed about a trick. As per that, Bhethala had inserted himself in the curtain.
Then Vikramadithya said with loud voice, “When I was talking with princes and kings during my business in a humorous way, these people had brought me to the marriage hall. The princess had kept Varamala in my neck. Whenever she kept Varamala on me, she became wife to me. In spite of this, she is neglecting me and not speaking with me. To my eyes, sleep is not getting. This light is burning. The time is not passing. Hence, oh curtain cloth! Please tell me a story up to you know it. By hearing story, time will pass by with pleasure.”
What a surprise! The curtain said, “Oh father! You are kind. You ask me to tell a story to pass time with pleasure. But I was tied up here. By having such tight ties, how can I tell you story. Actually, in previous I was as cotton. Later I had suffered in the hands of weavers. Then I was in the form of two pieces of clothes. These servant-maids had purchased me and torn off me into pieces. They had stitched me with needle and string, on four sides. They had tied me and made me as a screen in between the both of you. By the way I’m suffering a lot. With such suffering, how can I tell you a wonderful story? How it is possible? By knowing all of my sufferings, you are troubling me to tell a story. Off course, it is natural in this world. People will consider their difficulties as severe and treat other’s difficulties as easy going. They don’t know the other’s difficulties.”
By hearing all of this, Hela Rambha thought, “Oh God! What a wonder! Till yesterday, this curtain was not active. But now it is speaking. We don’t know what type of magic and mystery is this. The person who is sitting here is able to converse with curtain cloth. In such case, he might be great person. He should not be normal man. I should know who he is.”
By thinking like this, Hela Rambha had released the ties and dropped the curtain on the floor. Vikramadithya said, “Oh curtain! This princess is so kind to you. She had released you from ties. Now you are free. Hence, you please tell us a story to pass time with pleasure.”
The curtain started to tell the story.
Friday, January 30, 2009
THE STORY TOLD BY KOMALA VALLI,
IDOL ON THE 3rd STEP
On the third day, by morning Bhoja Raja had woken up and finished his daily works. There was same case with his ministers, courtiers and people. All of they were very interested to hear the stories of Vikramadithya. After bathe, and devotion to God, the king Bhoja Raja had taken food with delicious dishes along with his guests, friends, relatives and subordinates. They had taken the betel leaves at the end of their meals. Bhoja Raja got ready to go to the court, Chitra Kutam. He dressed up with beautiful silk and ornaments.
All of they had gone to the court building, Chitra Kutam. Bhoja Raja had donated money, gold, cows and land to Brahmins, scholars, musicians, poets, artists and poor public. All the ministers, sub-ordinates of Bhoja Raja, courtiers and public had attended in the Chitra Kutam already.
The purohits [priest] had performed pooja with Deepa [light], Dhupa [perfume smokes], Niveydyams and mantras. The music party was making sweet music by their music instruments. Bhooja Raja had put namaskar to people and then to the throne. He had climbed up two steps on the throne. There was no objection. He felt secured. With such confidence, he was putting step on to the third. The idol on the third step had clapped its hands and laughed aloud. To prevent his trial to climb up on to the throne, it said, “Oh Bhoja Rajendra. Why do you come here? Yesterday the idol on the 2nd step, Madanabhi Sheka Valli had told you many things. It seems you didn’t pay ears properly. You had heard all the stories with comfort. In spite of that, you came here again. If you hear them properly, you should not come here. Vikramadithya had ruled this country for 2000 years with the help of his wise minister Bhatti with condition of 6 months in administration of kingdom and 6 months in touring on world and forests. He had ruled his kingdom by sitting on this throne. If you have such adventure and other good qualities as one among 1000 of Vikramadithya, you can climb up this throne. Otherwise you can return by the way on which you came here.”
Bhoja Raja said, “Oh beautiful young girl! You are like my daughter. I don’t know the specialties and good qualities of your king Vikramadithya as a whole. You please tell me about his adventures. I’m very much curious and interested to hear. As well, my people also are very curious to hear them. You please tell us.”
With pleasure and pleasant smile, the idol on 3rd step started …
“Bhoja Rajendra! Listen. My name is Komala Valli. [The meaning of this name is ‘The delicate Garland] I’m the idol on this 3rd step”…
Komala Valli continued…
Vikramadithya and Bhatti used to take 1/6th part of the crops’ yield and income of public as tax. They used to treat people as if the people were their own lives. Days were passing.
In those days, there was a Brahmin scholar in Ujjain city by name Veda Kovida. [The meaning of this name is ‘a scholar in Vedas’] He had learnt 4 Vedas, 6 Sciences, 18 Epics and 64 Arts. He was rich enough. Since longtime he had no children. Hence, he was doing penance to God. Due to God’s boon, he had a son. He was growing. Veda Kovida had celebrated appropriate functions to his son according to his age such as Bara sala [Cradle Ceremony and name declaration], Upanayanam [Thread marriage] and Aksharabhyasam [Starting of education] etc. He was calling his son as Vedantha Kovida. He was educating his son personally. Vedantha Kovida was at the age of 7 years.
One day on solar eclipse, Veda Kovida had gone to take holy bathe in the sea along with his son Vedantha Kovida. At the seashore, he was taking the bathe. His son, the boy was beside him. Suddenly there came a large crocodile. It had dragged the boy into the seawater. It had swallowed the boy. By watching that, Veda Kovida had screamed like anything. He came out of water. He was beating on his chest and fore head. He was crying aloud. He cried as “Alas! What an injustice is this? When moral king, Vikramadithya is ruling the country, how the people in his kingdom can get death in improper ways. How people can die before long life of 100 years? In such case, my son’s age is not even 7 full years. How the crocodile had swallowed him? It is not my sin, my family sin and my race people’s sin. This king, Vikramadithya is ruling against morals. He is doing immoral. Otherwise my son won’t die by the crocodile.”
Like this, he was scolding the king. He had run away from seashore to Ujjain city. He had reached the fort entrance. He had approached the main i.e. royal entrance of King’s court. There he stood, cried aloud. He was beating his head with a handball size rock. He was bleeding with injures. He was spreading that blood on the entrance door and rang the bell, which was hung there to ring for justice.
By hearing the bell sound, Vikramadithya was shocked. He called on Bhatti and said, “Bhatti! What a surprise is this? Until date, we didn’t hear the bell ringing. Today it is ringing. What might be the reason? My dear Minister! Listen with keen observation. Somebody is crying aloud. Who is crying like that? Until date, we didn’t hear such disturbances. You go immediately. Know the things. Go immediately.”
Bhatti said, “Yes Maharaja!” Immediately he had gone to the entrance of royal fort. What did he see there? A Brahmin was looking like a flowered Moduga tree. [Moduga tree is a big one with yellow and thick red big flowers] With bleeding body, the Brahmin was like that tree. He was crying and hurting his own body. By watching such scene, Bhatti was puzzled and shocked. He felt sorrow. His body was trembled. [Brahmin means a man of Satwika Gunas. He will be always peaceful and patience. That’s why, by watching a Brahmin in such a terrible situation, Bhatti reacted like that]
Bhatti had approached near to him, held his hands as console and spoken to him with sweet and soft voice. He said, “Brahminothama! [Means you are the best among Brahmins] You are kind and soft people. In spite of such Brahmanism, is it right to behave like this? You learnt all Vedas and Sasthras i.e. subjects [Sciences]. We are ordinary people. What we can say to you? What is the difficulty now you have? Please let me know. Let us go to the court of king.
The Brahmin Veda Kovida said, “If the king does immoral, his people in his kingdom will get sorrows and difficulties. If you want to hear my sorrow, I tell you. I’m living in this bad city. My name is Veda Kovida. I had a son after long time after my marriage. Now his age is 7 years. I’m teaching him all the education and arts. I’m bringing him up in such a way as he become as scholar. I’m protecting him like eyelid to eye. On Solar ellipse day, we had gone to seashore to have a holy bathe. While both of we were taking bathe, a crocodile had came, dragged my son into water and swallowed him. While you are ruling the country, why my son had lost life within 7 years instead of long life of 100 years? You might disobeyed the morals and Manu moral Sasthra. [It was fame in ancient India. It taught people and kings how to behave and how to perform their duties] Otherwise, there won’t be such incidents to happen. When I lost my son, then why should I live? What is the meaning of my life and use of my life? I’ll give up my life at the entrance of your royal fort. This sin belongs to you.”
Bhatti had consoled him with patience and obedience. He said, “Oh Brahmin! Don’t cry. Be patience. We will bring your son back alive. Let’s go to king Vikramadithya.”
Bhatti was succeeded to bring the Brahmin Veda Kovida to the king. He had explained everything to the king like piercing of a bead on to a thread. Those words were like arrows to Vikramadithya’s ears. He felt very bitter. He thought, “Oh God! What an impact of time, it is! A crocodile had swallowed a kid. In such case, why should I have this kingdom? Nobody will accept to say that the justice and morals are in our kingdom.”
By thinking like that, Vikrmadithya immediately got down of the throne. He had gone to the temple of Goddess Bhadra Kali. Bhatti had followed him along with Veda Kovida. Vikramadithya had devoted Bhadra Kali Devi. He said, “Oh mother! Please be appearing to me.” As per his boon she appeared to him. He said, “Mother! In my kingdom, a crocodile had swallowed a Brahmin kid. I might have done something wrong. Please let me know what it is. Please bless me to get back the Brahmin’s son alive.”
With pleasant smile, Goddess Kalika Devi said, “My dear son. Your ruling turn of 6 months is completed by yesterday. You should leave to forest to spend next 6 months. This is the mistake did by you. You get succeed in your every trial.” She had given some Vibhuthi Powder, lime fruit and holy water to him.
After taking her blessings, Vikramadithya returned to the palace. He said, “Bhatti! By yesterday itself, I should go on tour. My turn of 6 months to be in ruling of kingdom is over.”
Bhatti verified the calendar and said, “Yes brother! We didn’t notice. Okay. You go on to rescue the Brahmin boy. I’ll look after the kingdom.” Vikramadithya said, “Bhatti. I’m so fortunate by having you as my brother and minister. By the way, I can have every benefit. Nothing is impossible for me because of your help.”
He had taken a diamond carpet, a copper vessel, a long stick, cheppals [shoe] and 18 types of weapons. He called on Bhethala. Along with Veda Kovida, he had started from Ujjain city. He said, “Oh Brahmin scholar! Where you had taken bathe when the crocodile dragged your son into water.” Veda Kovida had shown the spot and said, “Oh great king! We had taken bathe in this ghat only.”
Vikramadithya said, “Veda Kovida. You are the best among Brahmins. Now you please go home by leaving sorrow. Be with happiness, peacefulness and patience. Within 6 months, I can get back your son alive. There are no needs of you to search for him here and there. You feel as if your son is at your home.” Veda Kovida convinced by his condolence. With peace, he had gone to his house.
Vikramadithya decided himself, as “I should not return to Ujjain unless I get back Brahmin’s son alive.” He had worn cheppals [shoe] and sat on the diamond carpet. He was travelling on the sea by floating on golden carpet. He was beating the water of sea with long stick and making large disturbance. With such loud disturbance, the crocodile had approached him. By watching its extra-ordinary large size, he decided to do not hurt it with weapons like sword. He had thrown his copper vessel towards it. The crocodile had opened its mouth as large as possible and swallow it. Vikramadithya had jumped into its mouth at the same moment. He had reached into its stomach. What a surprise! He had seen a beautiful and wide city there. It was with beautiful, big and colorful buildings. There were beautiful gardens and roads. It was just like AmaraVathi, the divine city of God Indra.
Vikramadithya was wandering on the roads and watching the wonders. There were some Brahmin boys going on the road. Among them, there was the son of Veda Kovida. He caught hold of him and asked “Oh boy! Who are you?” He said, “Oh great king! The great Ujjain Mahan Kali city is my native. I’m the son of the great scholar, Veda Kovida.” Vikramadithya felt happy. He had taken the boy into his hand and came out of the crocodile’s stomach by tearing its stomach with sword. He made the boy to sat on the diamond carpet on seawater. He didn’t like to spoil the city, which was in the crocodile’s stomach. Hence, by praying Goddess Bhadra Kali, he spread Vibhuthi powder on the crocodile’s body. The crocodile’s stomach injure had vanished. The crocodile got alive and gone on its way.
On the third day, by morning Bhoja Raja had woken up and finished his daily works. There was same case with his ministers, courtiers and people. All of they were very interested to hear the stories of Vikramadithya. After bathe, and devotion to God, the king Bhoja Raja had taken food with delicious dishes along with his guests, friends, relatives and subordinates. They had taken the betel leaves at the end of their meals. Bhoja Raja got ready to go to the court, Chitra Kutam. He dressed up with beautiful silk and ornaments.
All of they had gone to the court building, Chitra Kutam. Bhoja Raja had donated money, gold, cows and land to Brahmins, scholars, musicians, poets, artists and poor public. All the ministers, sub-ordinates of Bhoja Raja, courtiers and public had attended in the Chitra Kutam already.
The purohits [priest] had performed pooja with Deepa [light], Dhupa [perfume smokes], Niveydyams and mantras. The music party was making sweet music by their music instruments. Bhooja Raja had put namaskar to people and then to the throne. He had climbed up two steps on the throne. There was no objection. He felt secured. With such confidence, he was putting step on to the third. The idol on the third step had clapped its hands and laughed aloud. To prevent his trial to climb up on to the throne, it said, “Oh Bhoja Rajendra. Why do you come here? Yesterday the idol on the 2nd step, Madanabhi Sheka Valli had told you many things. It seems you didn’t pay ears properly. You had heard all the stories with comfort. In spite of that, you came here again. If you hear them properly, you should not come here. Vikramadithya had ruled this country for 2000 years with the help of his wise minister Bhatti with condition of 6 months in administration of kingdom and 6 months in touring on world and forests. He had ruled his kingdom by sitting on this throne. If you have such adventure and other good qualities as one among 1000 of Vikramadithya, you can climb up this throne. Otherwise you can return by the way on which you came here.”
Bhoja Raja said, “Oh beautiful young girl! You are like my daughter. I don’t know the specialties and good qualities of your king Vikramadithya as a whole. You please tell me about his adventures. I’m very much curious and interested to hear. As well, my people also are very curious to hear them. You please tell us.”
With pleasure and pleasant smile, the idol on 3rd step started …
“Bhoja Rajendra! Listen. My name is Komala Valli. [The meaning of this name is ‘The delicate Garland] I’m the idol on this 3rd step”…
Komala Valli continued…
Vikramadithya and Bhatti used to take 1/6th part of the crops’ yield and income of public as tax. They used to treat people as if the people were their own lives. Days were passing.
In those days, there was a Brahmin scholar in Ujjain city by name Veda Kovida. [The meaning of this name is ‘a scholar in Vedas’] He had learnt 4 Vedas, 6 Sciences, 18 Epics and 64 Arts. He was rich enough. Since longtime he had no children. Hence, he was doing penance to God. Due to God’s boon, he had a son. He was growing. Veda Kovida had celebrated appropriate functions to his son according to his age such as Bara sala [Cradle Ceremony and name declaration], Upanayanam [Thread marriage] and Aksharabhyasam [Starting of education] etc. He was calling his son as Vedantha Kovida. He was educating his son personally. Vedantha Kovida was at the age of 7 years.
One day on solar eclipse, Veda Kovida had gone to take holy bathe in the sea along with his son Vedantha Kovida. At the seashore, he was taking the bathe. His son, the boy was beside him. Suddenly there came a large crocodile. It had dragged the boy into the seawater. It had swallowed the boy. By watching that, Veda Kovida had screamed like anything. He came out of water. He was beating on his chest and fore head. He was crying aloud. He cried as “Alas! What an injustice is this? When moral king, Vikramadithya is ruling the country, how the people in his kingdom can get death in improper ways. How people can die before long life of 100 years? In such case, my son’s age is not even 7 full years. How the crocodile had swallowed him? It is not my sin, my family sin and my race people’s sin. This king, Vikramadithya is ruling against morals. He is doing immoral. Otherwise my son won’t die by the crocodile.”
Like this, he was scolding the king. He had run away from seashore to Ujjain city. He had reached the fort entrance. He had approached the main i.e. royal entrance of King’s court. There he stood, cried aloud. He was beating his head with a handball size rock. He was bleeding with injures. He was spreading that blood on the entrance door and rang the bell, which was hung there to ring for justice.
By hearing the bell sound, Vikramadithya was shocked. He called on Bhatti and said, “Bhatti! What a surprise is this? Until date, we didn’t hear the bell ringing. Today it is ringing. What might be the reason? My dear Minister! Listen with keen observation. Somebody is crying aloud. Who is crying like that? Until date, we didn’t hear such disturbances. You go immediately. Know the things. Go immediately.”
Bhatti said, “Yes Maharaja!” Immediately he had gone to the entrance of royal fort. What did he see there? A Brahmin was looking like a flowered Moduga tree. [Moduga tree is a big one with yellow and thick red big flowers] With bleeding body, the Brahmin was like that tree. He was crying and hurting his own body. By watching such scene, Bhatti was puzzled and shocked. He felt sorrow. His body was trembled. [Brahmin means a man of Satwika Gunas. He will be always peaceful and patience. That’s why, by watching a Brahmin in such a terrible situation, Bhatti reacted like that]
Bhatti had approached near to him, held his hands as console and spoken to him with sweet and soft voice. He said, “Brahminothama! [Means you are the best among Brahmins] You are kind and soft people. In spite of such Brahmanism, is it right to behave like this? You learnt all Vedas and Sasthras i.e. subjects [Sciences]. We are ordinary people. What we can say to you? What is the difficulty now you have? Please let me know. Let us go to the court of king.
The Brahmin Veda Kovida said, “If the king does immoral, his people in his kingdom will get sorrows and difficulties. If you want to hear my sorrow, I tell you. I’m living in this bad city. My name is Veda Kovida. I had a son after long time after my marriage. Now his age is 7 years. I’m teaching him all the education and arts. I’m bringing him up in such a way as he become as scholar. I’m protecting him like eyelid to eye. On Solar ellipse day, we had gone to seashore to have a holy bathe. While both of we were taking bathe, a crocodile had came, dragged my son into water and swallowed him. While you are ruling the country, why my son had lost life within 7 years instead of long life of 100 years? You might disobeyed the morals and Manu moral Sasthra. [It was fame in ancient India. It taught people and kings how to behave and how to perform their duties] Otherwise, there won’t be such incidents to happen. When I lost my son, then why should I live? What is the meaning of my life and use of my life? I’ll give up my life at the entrance of your royal fort. This sin belongs to you.”
Bhatti had consoled him with patience and obedience. He said, “Oh Brahmin! Don’t cry. Be patience. We will bring your son back alive. Let’s go to king Vikramadithya.”
Bhatti was succeeded to bring the Brahmin Veda Kovida to the king. He had explained everything to the king like piercing of a bead on to a thread. Those words were like arrows to Vikramadithya’s ears. He felt very bitter. He thought, “Oh God! What an impact of time, it is! A crocodile had swallowed a kid. In such case, why should I have this kingdom? Nobody will accept to say that the justice and morals are in our kingdom.”
By thinking like that, Vikrmadithya immediately got down of the throne. He had gone to the temple of Goddess Bhadra Kali. Bhatti had followed him along with Veda Kovida. Vikramadithya had devoted Bhadra Kali Devi. He said, “Oh mother! Please be appearing to me.” As per his boon she appeared to him. He said, “Mother! In my kingdom, a crocodile had swallowed a Brahmin kid. I might have done something wrong. Please let me know what it is. Please bless me to get back the Brahmin’s son alive.”
With pleasant smile, Goddess Kalika Devi said, “My dear son. Your ruling turn of 6 months is completed by yesterday. You should leave to forest to spend next 6 months. This is the mistake did by you. You get succeed in your every trial.” She had given some Vibhuthi Powder, lime fruit and holy water to him.
After taking her blessings, Vikramadithya returned to the palace. He said, “Bhatti! By yesterday itself, I should go on tour. My turn of 6 months to be in ruling of kingdom is over.”
Bhatti verified the calendar and said, “Yes brother! We didn’t notice. Okay. You go on to rescue the Brahmin boy. I’ll look after the kingdom.” Vikramadithya said, “Bhatti. I’m so fortunate by having you as my brother and minister. By the way, I can have every benefit. Nothing is impossible for me because of your help.”
He had taken a diamond carpet, a copper vessel, a long stick, cheppals [shoe] and 18 types of weapons. He called on Bhethala. Along with Veda Kovida, he had started from Ujjain city. He said, “Oh Brahmin scholar! Where you had taken bathe when the crocodile dragged your son into water.” Veda Kovida had shown the spot and said, “Oh great king! We had taken bathe in this ghat only.”
Vikramadithya said, “Veda Kovida. You are the best among Brahmins. Now you please go home by leaving sorrow. Be with happiness, peacefulness and patience. Within 6 months, I can get back your son alive. There are no needs of you to search for him here and there. You feel as if your son is at your home.” Veda Kovida convinced by his condolence. With peace, he had gone to his house.
Vikramadithya decided himself, as “I should not return to Ujjain unless I get back Brahmin’s son alive.” He had worn cheppals [shoe] and sat on the diamond carpet. He was travelling on the sea by floating on golden carpet. He was beating the water of sea with long stick and making large disturbance. With such loud disturbance, the crocodile had approached him. By watching its extra-ordinary large size, he decided to do not hurt it with weapons like sword. He had thrown his copper vessel towards it. The crocodile had opened its mouth as large as possible and swallow it. Vikramadithya had jumped into its mouth at the same moment. He had reached into its stomach. What a surprise! He had seen a beautiful and wide city there. It was with beautiful, big and colorful buildings. There were beautiful gardens and roads. It was just like AmaraVathi, the divine city of God Indra.
Vikramadithya was wandering on the roads and watching the wonders. There were some Brahmin boys going on the road. Among them, there was the son of Veda Kovida. He caught hold of him and asked “Oh boy! Who are you?” He said, “Oh great king! The great Ujjain Mahan Kali city is my native. I’m the son of the great scholar, Veda Kovida.” Vikramadithya felt happy. He had taken the boy into his hand and came out of the crocodile’s stomach by tearing its stomach with sword. He made the boy to sat on the diamond carpet on seawater. He didn’t like to spoil the city, which was in the crocodile’s stomach. Hence, by praying Goddess Bhadra Kali, he spread Vibhuthi powder on the crocodile’s body. The crocodile’s stomach injure had vanished. The crocodile got alive and gone on its way.
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