Betaal Pachisi - Story 16 - Dilemma of Minister and the King

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 Punepur, Vallabh. He was very brave and courageous. But he had one problem. He used to spend lot of treasure on the smallest occasions too which was leading to deficit. On completion of musical functions, he would give lots of money to the artists. If he liked some painter’s work, he would purchase all the paintings and give gold coins to them equivalent to the weight of the painter. His minister would advice him against this most of the time. But king did not pay heed to the same. One day while strolling, they reached a place which was really liked by king. He decided to build a palace there. But minister told him that is not required. Minister was really worried about the same. When he reached home, his wife asked about the problem. He narrated the whole incident to her. She told him not to worry and take a small break for a pilgrimage. He agreed for the same and both left for the pilgrimage. On the way, they stopped near a lake for rest. In the lake they saw a beautiful girl with flute. They were mesmerized by her. Minister decided to abort the trip and inform king about the same.

King on hearing about the same decided to go to the place and witness the same. Minister advised him to take some soldiers for security but king did not agree. King saw the girl and at once fell in love with her. He went to her. Girl was surprised to see him. She advised him to leave as a devil is about to come to eat her. King did not agree for the same and asked her to be courageous. He will fight the devil. Girl agreed and told him if you are able to save me then I will marry you. Devil came to collect the girl but king made him unconscious through his arrow. When devil gained conscious he attacked king again. When devil was about to kill king, minister came with the army and attacked the devil and killed him.

King reached his palace and declared the girl as queen. He decided to arrange marriage and invite all the musicians, singers, dancers, poets, painter, kings, his people and everyone from all the directions. He decided to decorate complete kingdom and reward the people. On listening all this, minister felt uncomfortable and suddenly lost his life. At this point, vetala stopped and asked Vikrama tell that why minister felt uncomfortable and lost his life when he should have been happy for the king’s marriage. Vikrama replied that no doubt he was happy about the same but the thought of wedding expense made him realize that even complete treasure of kingdom wont be able to bear the same. There will be huge deficit. Worry of the same took his life. He was unable to decide if he should save kingdom’s treasure or king’s respect. Death of minister helped king in realizing what minister was trying to teach him his whole life.

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.