Betaal Pachisi - Story 26 - Tangled Relationships (The Last One)

Vikrama again controlled Vetala and took him on his shoulder. Vetala started narrating him a story so that they could easily complete the long journey. He however warns him not to speak anything, else he would go back to his place again.

It was a story of a father and a son who had just seen a devastating war. They were on their way to another town when they find the queen and the princess of the another territory alive in the chaos, and decide to take them home. In due time, the princess gets married to father and the queen marries the son. Eventually, the son and the queen have a son, and the father and the princess have a daughter. At this point vetala stops and asks Vikrama “What is the relation between the two newborn children?”. Vikrama is surprised and has no answer for the same. Satisfied at this point, the vetala allows himself to be taken to the tantric.

On their way to the tantric, Vetala narrates his own story to Vikrama. His parents did not have a son for a long time and they approached a tantric. Tantric blessed them with twin sons on a condition that both be educated under him. Vetala was taught everything in the world but he was often ill treated. Whereas his brother was taught just what was needed but always very well treated by the people. Vetala came to know that the tantric planned to give his brother back to his parents by sacrificing Vetala as he was an ‘all- knowing kumara’. By sacrificing him the tantric would become immortal and rule the world using his tantric powers. At this point, Vetala also reveals that tantric’s plan is to sacrifice Vikrama by beheading him in front of the goddess. Then tantric will gain control over the vetala and sacrifice his soul, thus achieving his evil ambition. Vikrama repents at this point and asks Vetala for advise. The vetala suggests that he should ask the tantric about how to perform his obeisance. When he is about to show the same he should behead him. Vikrama does exactly as told by vetala and is blessed by Lord Indra and Devi Kali. The vetala offers the king a boon, whereupon Vikram requests that the tantric’s heart and mind be cleaned of all sins and his life be restored as a good living being. He also requests vetala that he would come to the king’s aid whenever needed. Vetala happily grants the boons to Vikrama and leaves for the immortal world.