Betaal Pachisi - Story 2 - King Roopmal and Bodyguard Veervar

Vikrama tries again to catch vetala. After several attempts he succeeds and starts taking him to the ascetic. Vetala starts narrating him a story so that they can easily complete the long journey once again. This story is about king Roopmal of province Vardhmaan. He was very wise and generous. He would try every possible way to help his people.

In his kingom, lived Veervar who was very skilled and wished to be king’s bodyguard. With this wish in his heart he went to meet the king. King asked him that what he will take as salary to protect him. Veervar asked for nine gold coins for each day. King was taken aback by the response and asked him to prove that how he was worth nine gold coins. Veervar showcased his talent to the king by using bows and arrows along with other weapons. King was really impressed by the same and appointed him as his bodyguard. Veervar’s family was very happy about the same.

On day when Veervar was guarding the king at night he heard a woman crying. King also got awake hearing woman’s cries. He directed Veervar to check why she was crying. Veervar reached that woman and asked her the reason for the same. She told that god of death is hungry and he will eat the king soon leaving this kingdom orphaned. That’s why she is crying. Veervar said he wont let that happen and would present himself to the god to save king. King heard their conversation and went to stop Veervar as he did not want his people to die for him.

Veervar along with his family went to the god’s place and offered themselves as his food. God was really pleased to see that and he ate them. King Roopmal came there looking for Veervar. God told him that he has already eaten them. King retaliated and asked god to eat him instead of Veervar and his family. God of death ate him too.

At this point, Vetala stopped and asked Vikrama a question. Who do you think made a bigger sacrifice - King or the bodyguard? Vikrama kept quite however Vetala reminded him that if he knows that answer then he must reply else he will break his head. Vikrama replied that sacrifice of the king was bigger than the bodyguard as bodyguard was being paid for the same while king was not getting any remuneration for this. He did this only to save his bodyguard. So, king’s sacrifice is bigger. Vetala was happy to know the answer however Vikrama insisted him to complete the story.

Vetala told that god was pleased by both of them and he appeared in his original form. He told them that he was just taking a test and both of them have passed in the same. Saying this Vetala again went back to his original place telling Vikrama that you could not keep your promise of being silent on the whole journey. Vikrama runs behind him again.

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Moral: Sacrifice is the greatest virture.