Have you ever heard of Vikram Vetal? If not, you are missing out on one of the most fascinating and intriguing stories from Indian mythology. Vikram Vetal is a collection of tales and legends within a frame story, also known as Baital Pachisi or Vetala Panchavimshati. It is about the legendary king Vikramaditya of Ujjain and his encounter with a mysterious spirit called Vetal.

The story of Vikram Vetal and the King’s Daughter, which is the twenty-fifth and final tale in the collection. I will also share some insights on the origin, significance and popularity of these stories.

The Main Story

The main story of Vikram Vetal begins with a tantric sorcerer who wants to perform a ritual that requires a celestial spirit called Vetal. He knows that such a spirit hangs upside-down from a tree in a cremation ground, inhabiting and animating dead bodies. He also knows that the only person who can capture the Vetal is the brave and wise king Vikramaditya.

The tantric approaches the king and requests him to bring the Vetal to him. He promises to grant the king special powers for the prosperity of his kingdom in return. The king agrees and sets out to the cremation ground at night.

He finds the Vetal hanging from a tree and cuts him down. As soon as he does so, the Vetal enters a corpse and starts to speak. He tells the king that he will tell him a story on their way to the tantric, and at the end of the story he will ask him a question. If the king cannot answer the question correctly, the Vetal will remain in his custody. If the king knows the answer but remains silent, his head will burst into thousand pieces. And if the king answers correctly, the Vetal will escape and return to his tree.

The king accepts the challenge and carries the corpse on his shoulder. The Vetal tells him twenty-four stories, each with a riddle at the end. The king answers all of them correctly, much to the Vetal’s surprise and admiration. The Vetal then tells him the twenty-fifth story, which is about a father and a son who find a queen and a princess alive in the aftermath of a war.

The father and son decide to take them home and marry them. The son marries the queen and the father marries the princess. In due course, they have children: the son and the queen have a son, and the father and the princess have a daughter.

The Vetal then asks the king what is the relation between these two children. The king is stumped by this question. He realizes that there is no clear answer to this riddle, as it depends on different perspectives.

The Vetal is satisfied with this outcome. He reveals that he was testing the king’s intelligence and morality all along. He also warns him that the tantric is plotting to kill him and use his blood for his ritual. He advises him to behead the tantric as soon as they reach him.

The king follows his advice and kills the tantric. He then frees the Vetal from his bondage and thanks him for his help. The Vetal promises to come to his aid whenever he needs him in future.

The Origin

The origin of Vikram Vetal stories can be traced back to Sanskrit literature. One of its oldest versions is found in Kathasaritsagara (Ocean of Stories), a work compiled by Somadeva in 11th century CE. Somadeva based his work on older materials that are now lost.

The stories are also known as Vetala Panchavimshati (Twenty-five Tales of Vetala) or Baital Pachisi (Twenty-five Tales of Baital). They have been translated into many Indian languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and Marathi.

The Significance

The significance of Vikram Vetal stories lies in their blend of mystery, adventure and wisdom. They are not just entertaining stories but also moral dilemmas that test one’s logic, ethics and common sense.

The stories also showcase different aspects of Indian culture, such as history, geography, religion, philosophy, art and science. They reflect the values and ideals of the ancient Indian society, such as courage, justice, loyalty, compassion and generosity.

The stories also have a universal appeal, as they deal with human emotions and situations that are relevant to all times and places. They explore themes such as love, friendship, family, duty, betrayal, sacrifice and redemption.

The Popularity

The popularity of Vikram Vetal stories is evident from their adaptation into various forms of media, such as books, comics, films, television shows and radio programs. Some of the notable adaptations are:

• Vikram Aur Betaal: A television series that aired on DD National in 1985 and 1988. It starred Arun Govil as Vikramaditya and Sajjan as Vetal.
• Vikram Betal: A comic book series published by Amar Chitra Katha. It featured illustrations by Pratap Mulick and scripts by Anant Pai.
• Vikram Vetal: A film directed by Babubhai Mistry in 1978. It starred Mahipal as Vikramaditya and Anjana Mumtaz as Vetal.
• Vikram Vetal: A radio program broadcast by All India Radio in the 1950s. It was narrated by Zul Vellani.

Conclusion

Vikram Vetal and the King’s Daughter is a captivating story that showcases the brilliance and benevolence of king Vikramaditya and the cunning and cleverness of Vetal. It is a story that will keep you hooked till the end and make you think about the complexities of life.

Also Read: How Birbal Solved the Mystery of the Mango Tree

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