Read the previous part here… “So tell me, o King, when the thief was impaled, and nearing death, and when he saw Ratnavatī coming there with her father, why did he weep first, and then why did he laugh? What was on his mind? “Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the …
Read the previous part here… Ratnavatī folded her hands again, and said, tearfully… “O revered one! If you are truly pleased with me, then let this man, who I have already considered as my husband, rise up and be alive, and from now on, live a life of noble character!” The voice from the skies …
Read the previous part here… He then went to meet the king, and offered him all his wealth, and more, if only he would pardon the thief. But the king did not agree. “Not for all your wealth, not for all the wealth in the world”, he thundered. “This thief plundered my kingdom, and I …
Read the previous part here… “You seem to be a good man, then how did you come here? This man is a thief, and he will surely rob you. Not only that, he may injure you as well!” “I haven’t seen anyone as treacherous as him, so please leave when you still can!” The king …
It’s been a year. I started to write (regularly) a year back. The lockdown had been declared and I found myself an extra hour everyday, that I did not want to waste. And so I started to write. I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t know what I would write, for how long I would …
Read the previous part here… The figure often turned around and was on the lookout. “This is surely the thief that everyone has been searching for”, thought the king to himself, as he approached the figure, his hand on his sword, ready to strike at any moment. ततः स चौरो दृष्ट्वा तं नृपं को ऽसीत्य् …
चतुर्दशो वतेालः The fourteenth story The thief and the merchant’s daughter स त्रिविक्रमसेनो ऽथ गत्वा तं शिंशपातरोः ।भूयो ऽप्य् आसाद्य वेतालं स्कन्धे जग्राह भूपतिः ॥ १२,२१.१ ॥ प्रस्थितं च तम् उर्वीशं स वेतालो ऽभ्यधात् पुनः ।राजञ् श्रान्तो ऽसि तच् चित्रां कथाम् आख्यामि ते शृणु ॥ १२,२१.२ ॥ King Vikram went back to the tree, and …
Read the previous part here… “So tell me, o King, who was to blame for Harisvāmin’s death ? Was it the kite, or the snake, or Padmanābha’s wife?“ “Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the truth, your head will burst into a hundred pieces!“ Listen to this episode: इति वेतालतो राजा …
Read the previous part here… Writhing in agony, he exclaimed… “Oh, when fate is against you, even good things that happen to you turn bad in the end! This delicious kheer has now become poisonous for me!” Lamenting this way, Harisvāmin started back towards the Brāhman’s house, stumbling in pain all along the way… Listen …
Read the previous part here… He then reached a village, and chanced upon the house of a Brāhman named Padmanābha, who was conducting a yagna. Harisvāmin saw many Brāhmans lined up outside the house, waiting to be fed, and so he managed to reach the doorpost, and leaned against it, silent and motionless. Listen to …
