Betaal Pachisi - Story 11 - Whom will the princess marry?

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 daughter of king Veerdev who ruled in Ujjain, Anandvati. Once upon a time she went for outing in the kingdom with her friends. Her mother was worried for her but king told her not to worry as she is in the kingdom only. On the way, in a village one weaver gifted her a saree. She really liked the same and expresses a desire to see more of his work. She went with weaver to his shop and was really impressed by his work. She expressed desire to learn the work and weaver obliged her happily. After learning this work she left from there.

When she was moving to next location, she was stopped by a person, who told her not to move there as lions are sitting there. Person told her that his pet birds have informed him about the same. Princess was impressed by him asked him to teach her this language. Man agreed for the same but told her that she would be required to stay here for a long time in the forest for the same. Princess told that she will come to learn the language whenever she gets time in her life in future and left from there.

When they started moving to next location, princess got ill on the way. Her friends took her to the nearest doctor immediately. Doctor gave her medicines and she recovered in couple of hours. Princess was happy to meet him. She saw that there were many patients who were treated by this doctor for complex problems. Princess expressed a desire to spend her life there and help the needy people. After saying this she left from there.

While moving to next location, princess accidentally got stuck in a trap and she got hung from the tree. Her friends screamed for help. At that time, a brave man using his rope rescued her. Princess thanked him for saving her life. She told him that she will be really happy to meet him again and again. After this princess went back to kingdom. Her parents were really happy to see her and told her that she should get married now. Princess agreed but told them that on her trip she realized that common men are really dedicated to there work so she would like to marry a common man. King agreed and told her that he will arrange Swayamvar (ceremony to chose husband from the suitors) for her. The one whom she selects will be the king of the kingdom. Princess was happy to know that.

Announcement was made in the city and suitable alliances were invited for her. Announcement was heard by weaver, language translator, doctor and brave man as well. They decided to attend the function. On the decided date, all of them reached the palace along with other suitors. King reminded her that one selected by her will be his successor so she should make a wise decision. Princess took garland in her hand to select her husband. At this point Betaal asked Vikrama, whom will she select out of those four. Vikrama replied that she is clever. She will not select weaver though he is rich but she herself is princess, so she wont select him. She wont select the translator too as she has no need to stay with him all his life. Regarding doctor though he is noble profession but between brave man and him she will chose brave man as king doesnt have a son. So, to protect kingdom a brave man is needed. Hence she will select brave man as her groom. 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.