Vikram Vethal, 24. A Sensible Move

A Sensible Move

Another new riddle was posed by the Vetal the following night. King Vikramaditya climbed the tree, placed the corpse on his shoulder and made his way through the edge of the forest to the desolate cremation ground. As he walked, the Vetal possessing the corpse spoke:

“O King, children born in royal households are taught the arts and sciences that require a lot of courage and perseverance. Consequently, they become hard working and determined. They are as persistent as you are and work with one-pointedness towards their goal. But there are exceptions because some people lose heart at the last moment and give up before they reach their goal. Listen to what happened a long time ago to Shruthavarma, who was then the crown prince of the Uddhanda kingdom. Let me tell you his story”. The Vetal began its narration.

Marunthavarma, the King of Pravala, had a daughter who had beauty and brains. She was named Kaumudi because she was born on a full moon night. The king was very fond of his daughter and also proud of her. He knew that he would have to be very careful when he chose a groom for her because the boy would have to be a proper match for his brilliant daughter and also capable of ruling a kingdom. In fact, he had in mind his own nephew Shruthavarma.
Shruthavarma and Kaumudi were the Rajaguru Mukundacharya’s students. Manimanth, the minister’s son, also studied with them. Kaumudi, like the boys, got trained in archery, fencing and other martial arts. The three of them thus spent a lot of their childhood together. Manimanth and Kaumudi enjoyed debating with each other. In fact, Mukundacharya was very impressed with some of their arguments and their ideas. Shruthavarma, too, joined them sometimes, but he was not as bright as they were.
King Marunthavarma observed the growing friendship between the two young men and his daughter with some misgiving. He suspected that Kaumudi had a soft corner for Manimanth. He feared that if this was not checked, he would face many problems. Would Manimanth be worthy enough to succeed him in Pravala? He wanted to know what was in his daughter’s mind before he took any decision. So he got a close friend of hers called Malathi to talk to Kaumudi. Kaumudi disclosed that she was not interested in marrying Shruthavarma and considered him only as a dear cousin. She was in love with Manimanth. She felt he alone could make her happy in every way. She also did not wish to leave Pravala and live in another country. If she married Manimanth, they could rule Pravala together.
Marunthavarma was not the only one who had sensed the growing love between Manimanth and Kaumudi. Shruthavarma also realised which way the wind was blowing. From their childhood, he had assumed that Kaumudi would one day be his wife. Now he felt betrayed and upset. He thought about the way matters had developed and then discussed them with his uncle, King Marunthavarma.
The king wondered how he could solve the problem. He advised his nephew to speak to Manimanth frankly. He said: “Tell Manimanth that you suspect that he is in love with Kaumudi. Tell him you love her more than anyone and, therefore, the only way out of this problem is to fight it out like honourable men. Whoever wins can claim Kaumudi’s hand. Then use all your strength and power to defeat Manimanth. If you have any problem, I’ll think of a way to ensure that you win?
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Shruthavarma thought over his uncle’s suggestion and said: “The truth is that Manimanth and I are equal in strength and skill, but his self-confidence is such that it seems to give him greater stamina and power. Let’s do one thing. In the Aravalli ranges nearby, there is a martial arts school run by the great guru Krishnachandra. Let me go and study under him for a while and improve my skills. After that, we’ll do as you say?. Marunthavarma agreed and Shruthavarma went to guru Krishnachandra to learn whatever he could.
He worked with great determination and concentration for six months. After the course was over, when it was time for Shruthavarma to leave, the guru said: “You told me that the King of Pravala is your uncle. Do you know his minister’s son Manimanth” Shruthavarma was surprised to hear Manimanth’s name being mentioned. “Yes, I do know him very well. But why do you ask” he said curiously. “Well”, said the guru, “I often roam about in disguise to know what is happening in the countryside. One day, I happened to attend the Spring Festival held at Pravala. There I saw an exhibition of strength by Manimanth. I haven’t seen a brighter man or a better fighter than he. Not many have that kind of ability. When you see him, please tell him that he has an invitation to come here anytime?. Shruthavarma was silenced for a while by these words. Then he said: “I had also taken part in the competition that day”. The guru was surprised. “Really” Were you there” he asked, and then smiled.
The next day Shruthavarma went back to his uncle at Pravala and said: “My confidence and skills have certainly improved a lot in these last six months, but I feel it would not be fair to go against Kaumudi’s wishes. So it might be better if you permitted her to marry Manimanth?.
The Vetala stopped the story there and addressed King Vikramaditya. “O King, Shruthavarma spent six hard months improving his skill. Then why did he lose heart at the last minute and give up his goal” Wasn’t he foolish to give up when he had almost reached his goal” If you know the answers to my questions and still do not want to speak, be warned, your head will break into a thousand pieces!?
Vikramaditya spoke at once. “Shruthavarma respected guru Krishnachandra and his judgement greatly. When the guru praised Manimanth, Shruthavarma realised exactly how much stronger and more adept Manimanth was than him. When he revealed the fact that he too had taken part in the same event, the guru did not say anything. So, he understood that he was not even a patch on Manimanth. Being a realist, he knew he could never win against Manimanth and so decided not to make an attempt even. Certainly, Sruthavarman made a wise move. He proved himself to be a man of judgement who could accept face the truth gracefully”. As soon as the king spoke, the Vetal vanished to its favourite haunt on the same ancient tree.