Betaal Pachisi - Story 7 - King Chandrasen and his servant Satyasheel

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 but warns him not to speak anything else he will go back to his place again. He begins narrating story

about the king of Tamarlipi, Chandrasen.

Once upon a time, a person named Satyasheel visited the kingdom and expressed his desire to meet the king. However, his courtiers did not allow him as he was not called by the king. One fine day he heard that king is going for hunting. So, he followed the king to the forest. King was really tired and wanted to have some water. Satyasheel reached that place and gave water to the king. He also offered him some Amla. King was really happy with him and asked him is he new the kingdom as he has not seen him earlier. He told Chandrasen that he came to this kingdom to serve him. Chandrasen was happy to hear this and gave him his ring and asked him to visit his court tomorrow morning.

Next morning, Satyasheel went to court to meet the king. This time courtiers did not stop him as he was having ring of the king. King appointed him as servant in his court. One day king was discussing the employment problem with Satyasheel and told him that youth are unemployed because of limited business opportunities. Since we have limited land we need to find more space in the neighboring areas for doing business. King told him we need someone who can explore this area. Satyasheel offers services for the same.

Next day, Satyasheel with other officers set out to explore the areas on the the boat. After travelling for sometime in the river, they see a flag in the middle. Officers request to stop there as that area is of some other king. Satyasheel did not agree and jumps into the water to find out whose kingdom it was. He goes down the river holding pole of the flag and sees water fairies ruling the kingdom. Fairies are afraid to see him and attack him. He bravely fights them and asks them to surrender. They surrender to him and offer him meals. When he is about to have meals, fairies request him to take bath as he must be very tired. He agrees for the same. When he goes to take bath, fairies push him and he is back to the place from where he his journey in the kingdom. King sees him there and asks him the matter. He narrates the whole story to the king. King decides to go to that place with Satyasheel and conquer that place.

Chandrasen and Satyasheel go to the same river, jump into the same and holding pole of the flag, they come to the same place. Both of them fight bravely with the guards and asks them to surrender. They surrender to the king. King appoints Satyasheel the ruler of the state and asks him to conduct business from the same. At this point, amla falls from Satyasheel’s pockets and king remembers old days when Satyasheel gave him amla in the forest. He tells Satyasheel that today I have returned your favor of amlas which you gave me to eat in the forest.

As soon as the story ends, Vetala asks Vikrama to tell who is more brave Satyasheel or Chandrasen. Vikrama tells Vetala that Satyasheel is very brave since he jumped into the river without knowing his fate while when king jumped he already knew what will happen. So, Satyasheel is more brave than Chandrasen. Vetala gets happy with Vikrama’s answer but he again flies back to his abode telling that he could not keep quite. Vikrama runs behind him again to catch him.

Moral: Whatever you sow, so shall you reap.