Story 1.

It was a dark night and there were strange noises from every where and voice of the moaning of jackals could be heard. It was raining heavily. Although there was a bad atmosphere king Vikramaditya did not fear a bit. He climbed the tree to bring the corpse down and soon he began to walk with the corpse lying on his shoulder. The Betaal spoke: "O King , I pity you as you are making untiring efforts without relaxing as if you wish to achieve something. Instead of enjoying a comfortable sleep in your palace youre still coming after me King didnt speak anything because any word from his mouth would keep Betaal right back on the tree. So Betaal starts his story. The ruler of Kishanagar, Rajendra, was kind and strong King. He cared about his people very much. After long period of marriage his queen, Prema, gave birth to a beautiful daughter, named Sona. As she was the only child, she enjoyed a lot of freedom. She was clever not only in studies but in the use of the bow and arrow and sword. When she reached marriageable age, her parents began searching for a suitable partner for her. But Sona disagreed to their proposal saying her parents that ,"Father, I want that my husband should be more skilled in all activities and should be overpower, me in fight. So you may make an announcement". The King Rajendra was very proud to hear about his daughter's thoughts. The announcement was made not only in the Kings kingdom but also in the neighboring kingdoms. Thinking that Sona is only a girl many fighters came with thought in the mind that they can easily defeat a girl and she is only child they will get whole kingdom after King Rajendra. But Sona defeated everyone, and they had to go back disappointed. She was taking on the suitors one after another, among them was Uday varma, the prince of Ayodhyapuri. He watched the fight every day, by joining the crowd. He carefully watched how Princess Sona fought and the different strategies she adopted to meet the method of fighting followed by each prince. Within few days Uday Varma had learnt all her strategies, and the next day he was ready to fight with her he fight too cleverly. Soon Sona was defeated by Uday varma. When Uday varma came forward to present himself to the King and queen, King asked Uday varma from where he had learnt to fight. Uday Varma replied I have watched all strategies adopted by Sona, by watching her during fight. Sona suddenly said to him that "You have defeated me, but I cant marry you King was surprised by Sonas decision and asked her why couldnt you marry him? Sona turn back to Uday varma and said Just think and find the reason

Uday Varma thought something and said . "Yes you are right. I should not marry you." The king and queen were surprised that even Uday Varma too accepted Sonas decision quickly. They were unable to find the reason The Betaal concluded the story and asked King Vikramaditya, Why did she say he did not deserve her hand in marriage in spite of his victory over her? Tell me Vikram if you would not speak even if you know the answer you are not a King of Justice Vikram Replied Betaal Uday varma had learnt strategies by watching Sonas strategies while fighting just as someone learn from his teacher. And in Bhartiya Sanskruti a teacher cannot marry his student. In Bhartiay Sanskruti father, mother and teacher are all like a god. As Sona realized that Uday varma was first her student and then a suitor and she was not willing to accept that relationship for the purpose of marriage. Uday varma too thought on the same manner and realized that he could not marry Sona As king spoke a word so Betaal flew back to the tree carrying the corpse along with him. Vikram with his sword in his hand went after the Betaal once again.

Story 2. Long long ago there lived two brothers in an island. They were quite intelligent. One was Rama and other Krishna. Wherever they go they were going together. Once they went to a big town on business. They worked hard and earned more money. While returning they took shelter under the shade of a tree in a forest. They ate well. Then they started counting money they earned. There came a young women weeping. Rama asked her the reason for crying. Few days back few robbers snatched our money and killed my husband. From then onwards I am wandering alone in the forest. I dont know where to go and whom I should ask for shelter the women said. Rama and Krishna were unhappy. They decided that one of them should marry the widow and asked her opinion. She too agreed. But who should marry her? It was problem. The brothers loved each other. There was no envy between them. At last they wrote their names on two small papers. They asked the lady to lift one folded paper on which Ramas name was written. So Rama married her. After few years the woman gave birth to a male child. At his tenth year Rama died. Krishna wept. The woman demanded half of the property. But Rama had played no role in the business activities of Krishna. So Krishna refused to give the share. The woman become angry and gave a complaint to the king. The king gave his decision. Betaal now asked Vikram after narrating the story to guess what was the kings decision. Betaal, this is an easy problem. Ramas wife has full right to ask share in Krishnas property. Because she married Rama after Krishna agreed: she was made available to Rama when both the brothers

were partners. Therefore she belongs to both. Naturally she should get a share. The king also might have given the same verdict Vikaram replied. Betaal clinged to the old tree.

Story 3. King Vikram did not fear. He marched on to the gnarled old tree and untied the rope that bound the corpse to the branch. He threw the corpse across his shoulder and began walking back. Belata spoke. Oh king Vikram! You are really annoyed. I shall tell you one more story for your enjoyment. Long ago there lived a Brahmin, Agniswamy in the town Brahmasthala situated on the bank of the river kalindi. He was loyal to his religion. He had one daughter Mandaravati. She was extremely beautiful. She was yet to be married. Agniswamy desired to perform her marriage. He was in seach of a bridegroom, educated, beautiful and man of good qualities. In a few days three Brahmins who were young arrived at Brahmasthala. They had come from Kanyakubja. They were all known to each other. They were looking beautiful. They were intelligent. All of them once saw Mandaravati. They were all fascinated be her beauty. Each one of them desired to marry her. Each one decided not to allow any other to marry Mandaravati. One day all of them approached Agniswamy and requested him to get mandaravati married to them. Agniswamy was in a fix. He and his family members were unable to take any decision. Finally they decided that Mandarvati should select the bridegroom out of the three Brahmins. But the Brahmins were worried. Everyday they used to see Mandaravatis beautiful face. One sacred day Agniswamy summoned the three Brahmins to his house. Each one thought that Mandaravati would marry them. They arrived at her house. Mandaravati saw all the three. She was now in a fix. Whom should she select? She was upset. While she was sitting in her room, to her misfortune a cobra entered the room and poisoned her. She died. The Brahmins were sorry to note it. They were not in a position to leave her. Mandaravati was cremated. One of the three Brahmins collected her bones and went to the river Ganga. The second one built a house at the place of the cremation and lived in it. The last one remembered Mandaravatri very much and went on pilgrimage. During his travel he resided in a Brahminss house in a village. The Brahminss wife was wicked. One day her child behaved mischievously. She got angry and threw the child into fire. The child was burnt into ashes. The young Brahmin felt that it is no good to stay in that house and therefore he just started to quit. At the moment the owner of the house consoled him and he took a pinch of mud and put it on the ash reciting mrita sanjeevini hymn. The child got life. Then the Brahmin kept the book containing mrita sanjeevini hymn on a table. He asked his wife to serve food to the young Brahmin. The young Brahmin ate well. Everybody slept in the night. In the midnight the young Brahmin took the book and rushed towards Brahmasthala. He wanted to reach as early as possible the place were

Mandaravati was cremated. By the time he reached the cremation ground the Brahmin who had been to the river Ganga also returned. Another young Brahmin was there in the hut. All of them again assembled at one point. The young Brahmin who had brought the book containing the hymn took a pinch of mud and put it on the ash reciting the hymn. Immediately Madaravati became alive. She was looking still more beautiful. All three were immensely joyous. But they started quarrelling to marry her. I recited the hymn. Thats why she got life one of them said. But I had been to the river Ganga and dipped her bones in the river that is the reason Mandaravati got back her life another Brahmin said. How is it possible? All these days I have protected the ash. Therefore Mandaravati is my wife the third youth said. Betaal asked king Vikram: oh king Vikram! Now tell me. How was the quarrel resolved> who could be the husband of Mandaravati? Knowing the answer if you remain silent, your head will spit into a thousand pieces! The Brahmin who gave life to Mandaravati becomes her father. The person who took her bones to the river Ganges for dipping is supposed to be her son. The youth who made her ash as bed and slept on it has really loved her. Therefore he is the appropriate husband of Mandaravati Vikram replied. Vikram broke his silence by replying Betaal. Betaal glided back to the tree.