Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Magic Fingers
Description :
Work up the magic of sensuous massages with your fingers.
Instructions:
Use Mouse to massage. Press Space to use Extra Sensual Pressure.
Cricket Overdose
Description :
Out of World Cup but still in business. Get high on cricket!
Instructions:
Use arrow keys to select pitch of the ball, Space to take run-up, Up Arrow key for Pace and Space again to bowl.
Gully Cricket
Description :
Make the gully your playground! Cricket with a little twist & a lot of fun.
Instructions:
Use Your Mouse to Position and the Bat. Left Click to Hit the Ball. Hit Three 4's in a Row to Become a SUPER HITTER.
World Cup Book Cricket
Description :
Learn to play by the book. Score 6s and 4s at a flip.
Instructions:
Use mouse to choose teams, head or tails and number of overs. Click FLIP to start playing.
Super Sixers
Description :
It's down to the wire. Smack those Super Sixers!
Instructions:
Use Arrow keys to adjust batsman. Space when ready and once again to strike the ball.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
QuickPlayer does ''audiocasts'' for BlackBerry
Streaming content just got a little more bountiful for (some) BlackBerry users -- but at a cost. QuickPlay Media has launched QuickPlayer for BlackBerry, doing for podcasts ''audiocasts'' what SonaMobile has done for video by streaming audio content to the normally multimedia-challenged devices. QuickPlayer rolls deep with 100+ channels of content in pretty much every conceivable category from name-brand providers, though users will be paying USD7.95 a month to do so. RIM's 7130e, 8700 series, and Pearl are currently supported, so grab the player download (if you've got a decent data plan, that is) and start listening to those Accuweather forecasts in style.
How Yahoo Plans to Get Things Going on the Go
Yahoo is to unveil a new mobile search offering for cellphones, stepping up its attack on the mobile market, according to the WSJ.
''Yahoo plans to significantly step up its attack on the mobile market, based on a piece of software that the company hopes will be widely used on cellphones.
Where search engines typically give computer users a list of Web sites, Yahoo is trying to provide more specific answers to cellphone queries so consumers don't have to click around as much to find what they're looking for.
Yahoo will use Web ads and links to aggressively encourage users to download its software for phones themselves, breaking from a past strategy of mainly relying on assistance from cellphone carriers and handset makers.
''Yahoo plans to significantly step up its attack on the mobile market, based on a piece of software that the company hopes will be widely used on cellphones.
Where search engines typically give computer users a list of Web sites, Yahoo is trying to provide more specific answers to cellphone queries so consumers don't have to click around as much to find what they're looking for.
Yahoo will use Web ads and links to aggressively encourage users to download its software for phones themselves, breaking from a past strategy of mainly relying on assistance from cellphone carriers and handset makers.
Google + Samsung Google Switch Phone?
Making its way around the web today is an image of what is claimed to be the product of a collaboration between Google and Samsung - the Google Switch mobile phone. The authenticity of the photo and rumors have not yet been verified. If this does in fact turn out to be a Google mobile phone and not a Photoshop hoax, it could put a serious damper on the impending Apple iPhone launch in June.
Google and Samsung have teamed up in the past. Most recently, Samsung agreed to let Google install its software on their Ultra Edition 13.8 slider phone last month. That phone is super-slim, but nowhere near as thin as the one pictured in this photo. According to tipsters, the ''Google Switch'' has no on-board storage. That means all your applications are served up over the network, with new apps ''attached'' to your account via a web interface.
Google and Samsung have teamed up in the past. Most recently, Samsung agreed to let Google install its software on their Ultra Edition 13.8 slider phone last month. That phone is super-slim, but nowhere near as thin as the one pictured in this photo. According to tipsters, the ''Google Switch'' has no on-board storage. That means all your applications are served up over the network, with new apps ''attached'' to your account via a web interface.
Nokia and YouTube Cooperate on Mobile Video
Nokia today announced a partnership to bring YouTube videos to Nokia Nseries devices. Accessible using a Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map, videos will be streamed through YouTube's mobile site. In addition, YouTube video RSS feeds will be compatible with Nokia's new Video Center application.
The Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map allows users to view videos on websites in a similar way as with PC web browsers. Through YouTube Mobile (now also compatible with the AVC video format), single-click playback of videos is possible on Nseries devices.
The Nokia Video Center offers mobile video RSS feed and video on demand features for discovering, viewing and storing content. Combining video RSS feed services, Internet videos and sideloaded videos from the PC are stored on one single place.
Nokia Video Center will be available globally in the markets where Nokia Nseries devices are sold. It will first be preinstalled in the Nokia N95 device and thereafter in most of the new Nokia Nseries devices. Nokia Video Center will also be available as download version for selected compatible S60 devices.
The Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map allows users to view videos on websites in a similar way as with PC web browsers. Through YouTube Mobile (now also compatible with the AVC video format), single-click playback of videos is possible on Nseries devices.
The Nokia Video Center offers mobile video RSS feed and video on demand features for discovering, viewing and storing content. Combining video RSS feed services, Internet videos and sideloaded videos from the PC are stored on one single place.
Nokia Video Center will be available globally in the markets where Nokia Nseries devices are sold. It will first be preinstalled in the Nokia N95 device and thereafter in most of the new Nokia Nseries devices. Nokia Video Center will also be available as download version for selected compatible S60 devices.
Nokia announced two mobile advertising services
Nokia today announced two mobile advertising services. Nokia Ad Service is a fully managed service for advertisers to conduct targeted advertising on mobile services and applications. Nokia also introduced Nokia Advertising Connector, a private label service for third party Publishers and Advertising Aggregators that want to extend to relevant mobile advertising.
Nokia Ad Service
Nokia Ad Service fulfills different types of advertising needs such as advertisers deploying global mobile campaigns, agencies offering mobile advertising to complement traditional media initiatives, and publishers seeking new business models and a larger consumer audience. Typical mediums of experience for mobile advertisements are in the form of interactive content like banner ads in browsing services, ads in applications, and videos.
Nokia Ad Service will begin its operations in Europe with a kick-off at ad:tech, an interactive marketing event in Paris, France on March 6th-7th, 2007 and globally in the second half of 2007.
Nokia Advertising Connector
Nokia Advertising Connector enables delivery of targeted ads to mobile devices. Ads will be closely tied and optimised to specific multimedia applications, such as reading digital newspaper content, watching TV, listening to music or looking at directions on maps.
Nokia offers access to the platform for third parties and enables their ad sales teams to sell for the mobile channel. Nokia Advertising Connector supports so called CPA (cost per action) model and it provides usage data from mobile devices for enabling targeted ad selection and delivery to users' devices.
A key part of the platform will be the easy-to-use reporting and analytics tools for Publishers to manage their advertisers ROI (Return on investment). Nokia Advertising Connector will run several pilots during the coming months and is planned to become commercially available by the end of 2007.
Nokia Ad Service
Nokia Ad Service fulfills different types of advertising needs such as advertisers deploying global mobile campaigns, agencies offering mobile advertising to complement traditional media initiatives, and publishers seeking new business models and a larger consumer audience. Typical mediums of experience for mobile advertisements are in the form of interactive content like banner ads in browsing services, ads in applications, and videos.
Nokia Ad Service will begin its operations in Europe with a kick-off at ad:tech, an interactive marketing event in Paris, France on March 6th-7th, 2007 and globally in the second half of 2007.
Nokia Advertising Connector
Nokia Advertising Connector enables delivery of targeted ads to mobile devices. Ads will be closely tied and optimised to specific multimedia applications, such as reading digital newspaper content, watching TV, listening to music or looking at directions on maps.
Nokia offers access to the platform for third parties and enables their ad sales teams to sell for the mobile channel. Nokia Advertising Connector supports so called CPA (cost per action) model and it provides usage data from mobile devices for enabling targeted ad selection and delivery to users' devices.
A key part of the platform will be the easy-to-use reporting and analytics tools for Publishers to manage their advertisers ROI (Return on investment). Nokia Advertising Connector will run several pilots during the coming months and is planned to become commercially available by the end of 2007.
Yahoo! Reinvents Search for the Mobile Web
Yahoo! has today expanded the reach of the popular new Yahoo! oneSearch service to the Mobile Web in the United States.
The search service that initially launched in Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0 is now accessible on more than 85 percent of mobile phones through the mobile Web and is also available through the gamma version of Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0.
Yahoo! oneSearch is designed to make searching for and finding information as quick as possible for consumers by providing relevant results right on the page such as news headlines, images, business listings and more as well as easy navigation to other websites. For example, if a consumer wants to go to a movie this weekend, they just need to type the name of the movie into the search box. The search results would first list the movie, including a user rating, local theaters the movie is playing at, news headlines related to the movie and more. To dig more deeply into the results, a consumer would simply need to click on any item or category. For example, to see all the movies playing at a specific listed theater, just click on the theater name.
Yahoo! oneSearch on Yahoo!s Mobile Web site has sponsored search results and display advertisements built into the experience. Consumers can click on an ad to go to the advertisers mobile web site or a landing page to get more information about the advertisers offerings, including the ability to call the advertiser.
Yahoo! oneSearch will roll out in additional country and language versions over the coming months. For additional information on Yahoo! oneSearch please visit http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch. To try Yahoo! oneSearch on your mobile phone open your browser and type in m.yahoo.com.
The search service that initially launched in Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0 is now accessible on more than 85 percent of mobile phones through the mobile Web and is also available through the gamma version of Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0.
Yahoo! oneSearch is designed to make searching for and finding information as quick as possible for consumers by providing relevant results right on the page such as news headlines, images, business listings and more as well as easy navigation to other websites. For example, if a consumer wants to go to a movie this weekend, they just need to type the name of the movie into the search box. The search results would first list the movie, including a user rating, local theaters the movie is playing at, news headlines related to the movie and more. To dig more deeply into the results, a consumer would simply need to click on any item or category. For example, to see all the movies playing at a specific listed theater, just click on the theater name.
Yahoo! oneSearch on Yahoo!s Mobile Web site has sponsored search results and display advertisements built into the experience. Consumers can click on an ad to go to the advertisers mobile web site or a landing page to get more information about the advertisers offerings, including the ability to call the advertiser.
Yahoo! oneSearch will roll out in additional country and language versions over the coming months. For additional information on Yahoo! oneSearch please visit http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch. To try Yahoo! oneSearch on your mobile phone open your browser and type in m.yahoo.com.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Indian Stories
Story of Ganesh -1Another Story of Ganesh - Race around the world
The Story of Ganesh
KALKI AVATARBUDDHA AVATAR
KRISHNA AVATAR
PARASURAMA AVATAR
- Krishna and Arjuna
- The story of Bakasura
- The tale of Kaliya the serpent
- THE STORY OF KRISHNA AND PUTANA
Birth of the Gita
Eklavya
Shankuntala
Shibi Rana
King Shantanu
Real Offender
Nobel Person
Difficult Decision
Brainy Brother
Wise Decision
The Poet Raaydaas
There was a poet named Raaydaas in Akbar's times. He was a very good poet. And there was a rich man also in Akbar's capital. But that rich man was enough miser too. He used to make promises to give something to somebody but never gave it to him. Raaydaas also heard this about that rich man, but didn't believe it.
So one day he went to that rich man and said to him that he had written many good poems and wanted to recite them before somebody who could appreciate his poems. He could not find any other man better than him.
The rich man got very happy, and asked him to recite his poems. The poet recited his poems, some poems were written in the praise of this rich man too. The rich man became very happy to hear those poems. So he promised to give him some money and asked him to come back next day.
Next day Raaydaas came to the rich man's house to take his reward but the rich man refused to recognize him. After some references, he said, "I said it only to encourage you, not that I wanted to reward you." Raaydaas got very disappointed and went away towards his house.
On the way he met Birbal, he told his story to Birbal. Birbal thought for a moment, then took out five gold coins and gave them to Raaydaas, and said, "Arrange a dinner for that rich man on next full moon night." Raaydaas went away.
Raaydaas had a very good friend, Maayaadaas. He arranged the dinner in his house. In this dinner, food was to be served in gold pots and the guest was to take those pots to his house. Rich man was very happy for this invitation.
The full moon night came. The rich man came for the dinner. Now Raaydaas and Maayaadaas have already eaten their food first, so they were not worried about it. They talked and talked a lot but did not talk about the food. Midnight fell. The rich man was very hungry. When he could bear no longer, then he reminded about the food. Raaydaas said, "What food? We don't know anything about the food." Rich man said, "You have invited me for the dinner." Raaydaas said, "That is because we just wanted you to be here, not because that we wanted to offer you any food."
At that time Birbal entered the house and reminded the rich man the happening of Raaydaas. Now the rich man realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness. He said that Raaydaas was a very good poet and he will surely give his reward to him. He took out his necklace and gave to Raaydaas. Then they all sat for a happy meal. Raaydaas was also invited by Akbar and got reward from the Royal Court. Thanks to Birbal.
The End
So one day he went to that rich man and said to him that he had written many good poems and wanted to recite them before somebody who could appreciate his poems. He could not find any other man better than him.
The rich man got very happy, and asked him to recite his poems. The poet recited his poems, some poems were written in the praise of this rich man too. The rich man became very happy to hear those poems. So he promised to give him some money and asked him to come back next day.
Next day Raaydaas came to the rich man's house to take his reward but the rich man refused to recognize him. After some references, he said, "I said it only to encourage you, not that I wanted to reward you." Raaydaas got very disappointed and went away towards his house.
On the way he met Birbal, he told his story to Birbal. Birbal thought for a moment, then took out five gold coins and gave them to Raaydaas, and said, "Arrange a dinner for that rich man on next full moon night." Raaydaas went away.
Raaydaas had a very good friend, Maayaadaas. He arranged the dinner in his house. In this dinner, food was to be served in gold pots and the guest was to take those pots to his house. Rich man was very happy for this invitation.
The full moon night came. The rich man came for the dinner. Now Raaydaas and Maayaadaas have already eaten their food first, so they were not worried about it. They talked and talked a lot but did not talk about the food. Midnight fell. The rich man was very hungry. When he could bear no longer, then he reminded about the food. Raaydaas said, "What food? We don't know anything about the food." Rich man said, "You have invited me for the dinner." Raaydaas said, "That is because we just wanted you to be here, not because that we wanted to offer you any food."
At that time Birbal entered the house and reminded the rich man the happening of Raaydaas. Now the rich man realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness. He said that Raaydaas was a very good poet and he will surely give his reward to him. He took out his necklace and gave to Raaydaas. Then they all sat for a happy meal. Raaydaas was also invited by Akbar and got reward from the Royal Court. Thanks to Birbal.
The End
The Three Questions
King Akbar was very fond of Birbal. This made many courtiers very jealous. One day one of those courtiers who always wanted to be the chief minister of the Emperor, got an idea. Since it was not possible as long as Birbal filled that position.
One day Akbar praised Birbal in front of the courtier. This made this courtier very angry and he said that the Emperor praised Birbal unjustly and if Birbal could answer his three questions, he would accept the fact that Birbal was intelligent. Akbar knew that Birbal will win so he immediately agreed.
His three questions were
1. How many stars were there in the sky
2. Where was the center of the Earth and
3. How many men and how many women were there in the world.
Immediately Akbar asked Birbal these three questions and instructed him that if he could not answer them, he would have to resign from the chief minister's position.
To answer the first question, Birbal brought a sheep and said ?There are as many stars in the sky as there is hair on this sheep?s body. My friend, the courtier, is welcome to count them if he likes.?
To answer the second question, Birbal drew a couple of lines on the floor and bore an iron rod in it and said ?this is the center of the Earth, the courtier may measure it himself if he doubts.?
In answer to the third question, Birbal said ?Counting the exact number of men and women in the world would be a problem as there are some specimens like our courtier friend here who cannot easily be classified as either. Therefore if all people like him are killed, then and only then can one count the exact number of men and women.?
Akbar became very happy as always, and that courtier went away without saying a word.
The End
One day Akbar praised Birbal in front of the courtier. This made this courtier very angry and he said that the Emperor praised Birbal unjustly and if Birbal could answer his three questions, he would accept the fact that Birbal was intelligent. Akbar knew that Birbal will win so he immediately agreed.
His three questions were
1. How many stars were there in the sky
2. Where was the center of the Earth and
3. How many men and how many women were there in the world.
Immediately Akbar asked Birbal these three questions and instructed him that if he could not answer them, he would have to resign from the chief minister's position.
To answer the first question, Birbal brought a sheep and said ?There are as many stars in the sky as there is hair on this sheep?s body. My friend, the courtier, is welcome to count them if he likes.?
To answer the second question, Birbal drew a couple of lines on the floor and bore an iron rod in it and said ?this is the center of the Earth, the courtier may measure it himself if he doubts.?
In answer to the third question, Birbal said ?Counting the exact number of men and women in the world would be a problem as there are some specimens like our courtier friend here who cannot easily be classified as either. Therefore if all people like him are killed, then and only then can one count the exact number of men and women.?
Akbar became very happy as always, and that courtier went away without saying a word.
The End
Fear is the Key
One day King Akbar said to Birbal, "Birbal, my people are very obedient to me. They love me very much." Birbal smiled and replied, "This is true, but they fear you too, Jahaanpanaah." Akbar could not agree on this, so it was decided that Birbal's statement should be tested.
Next day, according to Birbal's instructions, the King announced that he would be going for hunting, and people should pour a pot of milk in a tub kept in the courtyard. Next day when Akbar returned from hunting, he found that there was no milk in the tub, instead there was only water. Akbar got very disappointed, but couldn't do anything.
Then Birbal said, "This time you will announce that you will come back and see the tub yourself." King did as Birbal said. Once again the tub was kept in the courtyard. This time when King returned from the hunting, he found the tub overflowing with milk. Bitbal said, "I told you. It is your fear which made people obey you. The first time there was no one to check the tub, so people poured the water, but the second time, they knew that you would check yourself, that is why they brought the milk."
The End
Next day, according to Birbal's instructions, the King announced that he would be going for hunting, and people should pour a pot of milk in a tub kept in the courtyard. Next day when Akbar returned from hunting, he found that there was no milk in the tub, instead there was only water. Akbar got very disappointed, but couldn't do anything.
Then Birbal said, "This time you will announce that you will come back and see the tub yourself." King did as Birbal said. Once again the tub was kept in the courtyard. This time when King returned from the hunting, he found the tub overflowing with milk. Bitbal said, "I told you. It is your fear which made people obey you. The first time there was no one to check the tub, so people poured the water, but the second time, they knew that you would check yourself, that is why they brought the milk."
The End
Protection of the Footmark of an Elephant
Once king Akbar had a great quarrel with Birbal so he left left the place and went some 30-40 miles away in a village. There he started living hiding his identity.
Now Birbal's position (Deevaan or Minister) could not be kept empty so the king appointed his brother-in-law (wife' brother) in Birbal's place. Although Akbar didn't like this but he had to do this to please his wife. Very soon the city got undisciplined and complaints started coming to the king.
This was the time to test his brother-in-law's intelligence. So he went out to a Peer's Mazaar (the tomb of a saint). While returning from there he saw a footmark of an elephant. He asked his brother-in-law to protect that mark for three days. Baadshaah (king) went to his palace and his brother-in-law starting vigilance around it. The first day passed, the new Deevaan could not get any food; the second day also passed without any food. The third day he got very weak, but somehow survived. The fourth day he went to the kming and told everything to him.
Baadshaah thought "I have to call Birbal back, I can't do with this Deevaan." So he found a way to get him back. He announced that there is some quarrel over a government well so all Zameendaar (owner) of nearby villages should come to him with their wells, otherwise they will have to pay fine of 10,000 Rupees (Indian currency).
This order was heard in that village also min which Birbal lived. Its Zameendaar abused the king that "That this king has gone mad. Has anybody ever heard moving wells to other places? But if I did not go then I will have to pay 10,000 Rupees fine which is a lot of money."
When Birbal heard this, he knew that it was a trick to find Birbal. He thought that now is the time to reveal his identity and keep king's words. So he explained something to the Zameendaar and next day the Zameendaar along with Birbal and some of his servants arrived in Delhi. They did not enter the city, they stayed outside the city and sent a messenger to king - "Huzoor, According to your orders we are here with our wells, now you sent your wells to welcome them."
When Akbar heard this, he understood that Birbal was there. He asked the Zameendaar - "Who told this to tell me? Tell me the truth." The Zameendaar said - "Some time ago, a stranger came to stay in our village, he has asked us to tell you this." When asked about his form, it matched Birbal's. Then he sent his people to welcome Birbal and he was brought into the city with a great pomp and show. Birbal was again appointed on his old position.
This time the king asked Birbal to protect that footmark of elephant. Birbal said "Done". He fixed an iron bar near the footmark and tied a 50-yard rope to it and told the villagers that whoever's house will fall inside the circumference of that rope his house will be demolished to protect that footmark."
People requested him not to do so and gave him Rupees as bribery not to demolish their house. Thus he collected approximately 100,000 (1 Lakh) Ruees. He deposited that money in the royal treasury and told the king that the work is done and 100,000 Rupees have been deposited in his treasury.
The king called his brother-in-law and said to him - "You were hungry for three days and gained nothing while protecting the footmark, but see, Birbal has earned 100,00 Rupees in one day only. That is why you can never be my Deevaan." The brother-in-law went away from there hanging his head down.
The End
Now Birbal's position (Deevaan or Minister) could not be kept empty so the king appointed his brother-in-law (wife' brother) in Birbal's place. Although Akbar didn't like this but he had to do this to please his wife. Very soon the city got undisciplined and complaints started coming to the king.
This was the time to test his brother-in-law's intelligence. So he went out to a Peer's Mazaar (the tomb of a saint). While returning from there he saw a footmark of an elephant. He asked his brother-in-law to protect that mark for three days. Baadshaah (king) went to his palace and his brother-in-law starting vigilance around it. The first day passed, the new Deevaan could not get any food; the second day also passed without any food. The third day he got very weak, but somehow survived. The fourth day he went to the kming and told everything to him.
Baadshaah thought "I have to call Birbal back, I can't do with this Deevaan." So he found a way to get him back. He announced that there is some quarrel over a government well so all Zameendaar (owner) of nearby villages should come to him with their wells, otherwise they will have to pay fine of 10,000 Rupees (Indian currency).
This order was heard in that village also min which Birbal lived. Its Zameendaar abused the king that "That this king has gone mad. Has anybody ever heard moving wells to other places? But if I did not go then I will have to pay 10,000 Rupees fine which is a lot of money."
When Birbal heard this, he knew that it was a trick to find Birbal. He thought that now is the time to reveal his identity and keep king's words. So he explained something to the Zameendaar and next day the Zameendaar along with Birbal and some of his servants arrived in Delhi. They did not enter the city, they stayed outside the city and sent a messenger to king - "Huzoor, According to your orders we are here with our wells, now you sent your wells to welcome them."
When Akbar heard this, he understood that Birbal was there. He asked the Zameendaar - "Who told this to tell me? Tell me the truth." The Zameendaar said - "Some time ago, a stranger came to stay in our village, he has asked us to tell you this." When asked about his form, it matched Birbal's. Then he sent his people to welcome Birbal and he was brought into the city with a great pomp and show. Birbal was again appointed on his old position.
This time the king asked Birbal to protect that footmark of elephant. Birbal said "Done". He fixed an iron bar near the footmark and tied a 50-yard rope to it and told the villagers that whoever's house will fall inside the circumference of that rope his house will be demolished to protect that footmark."
People requested him not to do so and gave him Rupees as bribery not to demolish their house. Thus he collected approximately 100,000 (1 Lakh) Ruees. He deposited that money in the royal treasury and told the king that the work is done and 100,000 Rupees have been deposited in his treasury.
The king called his brother-in-law and said to him - "You were hungry for three days and gained nothing while protecting the footmark, but see, Birbal has earned 100,00 Rupees in one day only. That is why you can never be my Deevaan." The brother-in-law went away from there hanging his head down.
The End
Milk for the Mullaa
One day the Mullaa Nasruddin was going somewhere. He met a man carrying a milk can. The man said to Mullaa, "Mullaa Jee, I have some problem, I want your advice." "Why not, what is that problem?" said the Mullaa eyeing on his milk can.
The man said, "Whenever I get up in the morning, I feel intoxicated. I don't know what to do, and I don't understand what may be the problem." Mullaa asked, "What do you take in the last before you sleep?" The man said, "Normally I drink milk."
The Mullaa said, "Now I understood, this is your problem." "What is that?" asked the man perplexedly. The Mullaa said to him, "Because milk causes the intoxication." "How?" asked the man innocently. Mullaa explained to him, "You drink milk before sleeping. In sleep, you toss around. So milk gets churned. It turns into butter, butter gets churned, it turns into fat. Fat gets churned, it turns into sugar. Then sugar gets churned, and it turns into alcohol. So when you wake up in the morning you wake up with alcohol in your stomach, that is why you feel intoxicated."
"So what do I do?" asked the man in simplicity. Mullaa said, "It is so simple. Don't drink milk. Here, Give it to me." Mullaa virtually snatched the milk can from the man and went on his way. The poor man stood there bewildered. He went to Birbal and got his milk back somehow.
The End
The man said, "Whenever I get up in the morning, I feel intoxicated. I don't know what to do, and I don't understand what may be the problem." Mullaa asked, "What do you take in the last before you sleep?" The man said, "Normally I drink milk."
The Mullaa said, "Now I understood, this is your problem." "What is that?" asked the man perplexedly. The Mullaa said to him, "Because milk causes the intoxication." "How?" asked the man innocently. Mullaa explained to him, "You drink milk before sleeping. In sleep, you toss around. So milk gets churned. It turns into butter, butter gets churned, it turns into fat. Fat gets churned, it turns into sugar. Then sugar gets churned, and it turns into alcohol. So when you wake up in the morning you wake up with alcohol in your stomach, that is why you feel intoxicated."
"So what do I do?" asked the man in simplicity. Mullaa said, "It is so simple. Don't drink milk. Here, Give it to me." Mullaa virtually snatched the milk can from the man and went on his way. The poor man stood there bewildered. He went to Birbal and got his milk back somehow.
The End
Wise Decision
Kamalnath was the king of Ujjain. He was childless for a number of years. After severe penance, two children were born to him. The elder one was a daughter and the younger one, a son. Rajeshwari was the daughter. When she grew up, the king wanted to have her married to the best of bridegrooms. So he obtained various pictures of suitable princes so that Rajeshwari could chose a groom of her liking. She felt she could not decide on any one of them by merely looking at pictures. So she left the decision to her parents but told them that she wished to marry someone who was intelligent and brave.
The news that Rajeshwari wanted to marry an intelligent and brave man spread far and wide. Many suitors came to Ujjain to gain her hand in marriage. Out of these, one was a weaver. He claimed he could weave five fine clothes a day. "I donate one such cloth to the God; the second is given to a Brahmin and the other three will be used by me to run my family," he boasted.
Another suitor was a trader. He said that he could understand the languages of all the beasts and birds.
The third suitor was a warrior. He was an ace swordsman and had successfully fought many battles.
The fourth one was a Brahmin. He said he could make even the dead come alive with his knowledge.
All the four suitors were handsome and intelligent. Neither the king nor the princess could decide whom to select as the bridegroom.
Betal ended he story and asked the king "Vikram! I have a doubt. Only you are capable of answering the question. Whom should Rajeshwari marry? You know what will happen if you remain silent". Vikram could not remain silent. He had to answer Betal's question.
Vikram said, "After all, Rajeshwari, being the king's daughter belongs to the warrior clan. So it is very natural that she should marry someone from her own community. Moreover, she has specified that her husband should be a brave man. The weaver, the trader and the Brahmin are not brave people, where as the warrior had already proved his bravery by waging many wars.
"How can Rajeshwari be happy with a husband who can understand the language of the beasts; or with some one who can weave fine clothes? The Brahmin seems to be a magician. Therefore the warrior is the right husband for Rajeshwari," explained Vikram.
The news that Rajeshwari wanted to marry an intelligent and brave man spread far and wide. Many suitors came to Ujjain to gain her hand in marriage. Out of these, one was a weaver. He claimed he could weave five fine clothes a day. "I donate one such cloth to the God; the second is given to a Brahmin and the other three will be used by me to run my family," he boasted.
Another suitor was a trader. He said that he could understand the languages of all the beasts and birds.
The third suitor was a warrior. He was an ace swordsman and had successfully fought many battles.
The fourth one was a Brahmin. He said he could make even the dead come alive with his knowledge.
All the four suitors were handsome and intelligent. Neither the king nor the princess could decide whom to select as the bridegroom.
Betal ended he story and asked the king "Vikram! I have a doubt. Only you are capable of answering the question. Whom should Rajeshwari marry? You know what will happen if you remain silent". Vikram could not remain silent. He had to answer Betal's question.
Vikram said, "After all, Rajeshwari, being the king's daughter belongs to the warrior clan. So it is very natural that she should marry someone from her own community. Moreover, she has specified that her husband should be a brave man. The weaver, the trader and the Brahmin are not brave people, where as the warrior had already proved his bravery by waging many wars.
"How can Rajeshwari be happy with a husband who can understand the language of the beasts; or with some one who can weave fine clothes? The Brahmin seems to be a magician. Therefore the warrior is the right husband for Rajeshwari," explained Vikram.
Brainy Brother
In the land of Magadha lived a brahmin who performed all rituals very religiously. This pious brahmin had two sons. Both of them were highly intelligent and gifted with rare powers. One son could reveal the identity and the origin of a thing just by touching it or smelling it.
The second son was a very good at judging women. Just one look at a woman and he could correctly say what her temperament was and what her likes and dislikes were.
The king of Magadha on hearing about these two talented brothers, appointed them in his service. Both of them were very happy to work for the king.
One day two persons fighting over a precious pearl necklace came to the king to resolve the matter. One of them was quite fat. The king turned to the two talented brothers and asked the younger one, "Can you make out as to whom the pearl necklace really belongs to?" The younger brother sniffed at the hands of both the contenders and declared that the necklace belong to the fat person.
The fat person was overjoyed to hear this verdict "Salutations" he exclaimed, "this brahmin has rendered justice".
The other person also admitted that the necklace belong to the fat man. He said that they had come to test the young brahmin's talent.
The king was pleased to hear this. He gave rewards to the talented brothers.
It so happened that the ruler of a neighbouring country was an enemy of the king of Magadha. Under the pretext of seeking his friendship, this ruler sent a messenger to the king, inviting him to visit their country.
The Magadha king was perplexed about his invitation. He wanted to know the truth. He therefore ordered the two brothers, "The ruler who has sent me an invitation to visit him has been our enemy for a long time. So, please go to his country and find out why he was sent this invitation."
The two brahmin brothers obeyed the kings' orders. They went to the enemy country and after assessing the situation, returned to Magadh.
Reporting to the king, they said "Your Majesty! Your enemy seems to be good-natured, But he is very jealous of you. He may overthrow your kingdom or he may even kill you. Please be careful before accepting his friendship".
The king decided to be watchful.
The next day, the king had an invitation to dinner from the enemy ruler. As a precaution, the king took both the brothers with him.
When the king and his retinue reached the enemy's palace, they wee given a grand welcome. A feast had also been arranged for them. After the heavy dinner, the king wished to sleep and relax for a while. Immediately, he was shown into a royal bedroom.
The king was about to climb on to the bed and lie down. At that moment, the elder brother stopped him, "Your Majesty! Please wait. I feel that there is an unusual strand of hair in the pillow. It may hurt you".
The pillow as thoroughly searched and indeed! There was actually a strand of hair amidst the pillow cotton. It was very rough and seemed to be of some wild animal.
The younger brother smelt the hair and said, "This hair is poisonous. If it had pierced your neck, you would have died instantly".
When the king returned to his capital, he had the hair examined by the royal physician. The physician also declared that the hair had been smeared with some deadly poison.
Betal had come to the end of the story. But he had a question to ask Vikram. He wanted to know which of the two brothers was the wisest.
Betal had come to the end of the story. But he had a question to ask Vikram. He wanted to know which of the two brothers was the wisest.
Betal warned Vikram "Don't keep silent. If you do, you know the consequence." Vikram with a knowledgeable smile on his face said "Betal! All of us know that wisdom has no limits. Both the brothers were wise and talented. But amongst the two, the elder one was the wiser one".
"How can you say that?" asked Betal.
"Well", replied Vikram, "He had the capacity of indicating the presence of hair inside the pillow without even looking at it." The younger brother could identify the poison only through smell. Hence he elder brother is the most intelligent of he two. Betal agreed with Vikram. But he found another opportunity to slip out of Vikram's hands.
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The second son was a very good at judging women. Just one look at a woman and he could correctly say what her temperament was and what her likes and dislikes were.
The king of Magadha on hearing about these two talented brothers, appointed them in his service. Both of them were very happy to work for the king.
One day two persons fighting over a precious pearl necklace came to the king to resolve the matter. One of them was quite fat. The king turned to the two talented brothers and asked the younger one, "Can you make out as to whom the pearl necklace really belongs to?" The younger brother sniffed at the hands of both the contenders and declared that the necklace belong to the fat person.
The fat person was overjoyed to hear this verdict "Salutations" he exclaimed, "this brahmin has rendered justice".
The other person also admitted that the necklace belong to the fat man. He said that they had come to test the young brahmin's talent.
The king was pleased to hear this. He gave rewards to the talented brothers.
It so happened that the ruler of a neighbouring country was an enemy of the king of Magadha. Under the pretext of seeking his friendship, this ruler sent a messenger to the king, inviting him to visit their country.
The Magadha king was perplexed about his invitation. He wanted to know the truth. He therefore ordered the two brothers, "The ruler who has sent me an invitation to visit him has been our enemy for a long time. So, please go to his country and find out why he was sent this invitation."
The two brahmin brothers obeyed the kings' orders. They went to the enemy country and after assessing the situation, returned to Magadh.
Reporting to the king, they said "Your Majesty! Your enemy seems to be good-natured, But he is very jealous of you. He may overthrow your kingdom or he may even kill you. Please be careful before accepting his friendship".
The king decided to be watchful.
The next day, the king had an invitation to dinner from the enemy ruler. As a precaution, the king took both the brothers with him.
When the king and his retinue reached the enemy's palace, they wee given a grand welcome. A feast had also been arranged for them. After the heavy dinner, the king wished to sleep and relax for a while. Immediately, he was shown into a royal bedroom.
The king was about to climb on to the bed and lie down. At that moment, the elder brother stopped him, "Your Majesty! Please wait. I feel that there is an unusual strand of hair in the pillow. It may hurt you".
The pillow as thoroughly searched and indeed! There was actually a strand of hair amidst the pillow cotton. It was very rough and seemed to be of some wild animal.
The younger brother smelt the hair and said, "This hair is poisonous. If it had pierced your neck, you would have died instantly".
When the king returned to his capital, he had the hair examined by the royal physician. The physician also declared that the hair had been smeared with some deadly poison.
Betal had come to the end of the story. But he had a question to ask Vikram. He wanted to know which of the two brothers was the wisest.
Betal had come to the end of the story. But he had a question to ask Vikram. He wanted to know which of the two brothers was the wisest.
Betal warned Vikram "Don't keep silent. If you do, you know the consequence." Vikram with a knowledgeable smile on his face said "Betal! All of us know that wisdom has no limits. Both the brothers were wise and talented. But amongst the two, the elder one was the wiser one".
"How can you say that?" asked Betal.
"Well", replied Vikram, "He had the capacity of indicating the presence of hair inside the pillow without even looking at it." The younger brother could identify the poison only through smell. Hence he elder brother is the most intelligent of he two. Betal agreed with Vikram. But he found another opportunity to slip out of Vikram's hands.
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Difficult Decision
Dharmasheel, the king of Simhapuri was childless. He felt depressed without an heir to the throne. Hence he decided to worship Kali, the royal deity. He wanted to seek her blessings.
Goddess Kali was pleased at his intense devotion. She appeared in his dreams and said "Dharmsheel, I am pleased with your sincere prayers. You will have a son who will be very powerful".
Next morning, he king consulted the royal astrologer about his dream. The astrologer did some calculations and assured the king that his dream would come true.
Nine months passed. Dharamsheel's wife gave birth to a baby boy. The king and the queen took the baby to the temple and after offering prayers, named the boy as Suryadev. Suryadev grew up to be a fine young man. His best friend was Harisen, son of a washer man.
One day both the friends were walking on the banks of a river. There, amidst many washer men and washerwomen, Suryadev saw a beautiful young girl. He fell in love with her. At once, he went to the temple of Kali and prayed o the Goddess, "Mother! Grant me the wish to marry the girl I love and I shall offer my head at your altar on a full moon night".
Even after returning to the palace, Suryadev lost interest in all his surroundings. He could neither sleep nor eat. He could only think of the beautiful girl he saw at the riverside. As a result, he fell ill. But he did not reel to anybody the cause for his mental agony. Even the royal physicians were unable to diagnose his ailment.
Harisen was the only person the prince confided in. He told him about falling in love with a washer man's daughter.
Harisen was very eager to save his friend's life. He immediately went to the king and explained the situation to him. The king was desperate to see his only son, healthy and happy. Hence he agreed to this marriage even though he did not like he idea of a prince marrying a washer-girl.
Harisen approached the girl's father and urged him to accept this march. But none knew that Harisen himself was in love with the same girl. He sacrificed love for he sake of friendship.
On an auspicious day, the prince Suryadev was married to Kanthimathi, daughter of the washer man.
Soon the full moon night occurred. Suryadev went to Kali's temple along with his wife and friend. He asked both of them to wait outside the temple and alone entered the Sanctum Sanctorum. He stood before the Goddess and drawing the sword out, cut off his head as vowed by him.
After anxiously waiting for a long time for Suryadev to come out of the temple, Harisen instructed Kanthimathi to wait outside the temple itself and went inside in search of his friend. But he was shocked to find the body of his friend lying at one corner with the blood dripping head rolling nearby.
"After all, Suryadev was happily married to the girl he loved. Oh my Friend! Why did you take this extreme step?" cried Harisen.
He did not want to live without his friend. Moreover people might think that Harisen himself killed his best friend so that the could marry Kanthimathi. With these thoughts running in his mind, Harisen also cut off his head with the sword and died instantly.
Mother Goddess was moved by Suryadev's devotion and sacrifice and also Harisen's loyalty towards the prince. She therefore brought both of them back to life. But while doing so, by mistake she place Harisen's head on Suryadev's body and Suryadev's head on Harisen's body.
Suryadev and Harisen were now alive but with their heads and bodies interchanged. Kanthimathi was unaware of the incident that took place in the temple.
The story ended here. But Betal had a doubt. Whom should Kanthimathi accept as her husband?
Vikram had the right answer to this question. He said in a firm tone "Kanthimathi should accept the body which has Suryadev's head on it as that of her husband? He justified this reasoning and said, "It's because the entire body is controlled by the brain, this is, the head. A body is useless without the head. So, undoubtedly the person who has Suryadev's head is Kanthimathi's husband".
As soon as he had the answer Betal was back at the tamarind tree handing upside down. Vikram ran behind him.
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Goddess Kali was pleased at his intense devotion. She appeared in his dreams and said "Dharmsheel, I am pleased with your sincere prayers. You will have a son who will be very powerful".
Next morning, he king consulted the royal astrologer about his dream. The astrologer did some calculations and assured the king that his dream would come true.
Nine months passed. Dharamsheel's wife gave birth to a baby boy. The king and the queen took the baby to the temple and after offering prayers, named the boy as Suryadev. Suryadev grew up to be a fine young man. His best friend was Harisen, son of a washer man.
One day both the friends were walking on the banks of a river. There, amidst many washer men and washerwomen, Suryadev saw a beautiful young girl. He fell in love with her. At once, he went to the temple of Kali and prayed o the Goddess, "Mother! Grant me the wish to marry the girl I love and I shall offer my head at your altar on a full moon night".
Even after returning to the palace, Suryadev lost interest in all his surroundings. He could neither sleep nor eat. He could only think of the beautiful girl he saw at the riverside. As a result, he fell ill. But he did not reel to anybody the cause for his mental agony. Even the royal physicians were unable to diagnose his ailment.
Harisen was the only person the prince confided in. He told him about falling in love with a washer man's daughter.
Harisen was very eager to save his friend's life. He immediately went to the king and explained the situation to him. The king was desperate to see his only son, healthy and happy. Hence he agreed to this marriage even though he did not like he idea of a prince marrying a washer-girl.
Harisen approached the girl's father and urged him to accept this march. But none knew that Harisen himself was in love with the same girl. He sacrificed love for he sake of friendship.
On an auspicious day, the prince Suryadev was married to Kanthimathi, daughter of the washer man.
Soon the full moon night occurred. Suryadev went to Kali's temple along with his wife and friend. He asked both of them to wait outside the temple and alone entered the Sanctum Sanctorum. He stood before the Goddess and drawing the sword out, cut off his head as vowed by him.
After anxiously waiting for a long time for Suryadev to come out of the temple, Harisen instructed Kanthimathi to wait outside the temple itself and went inside in search of his friend. But he was shocked to find the body of his friend lying at one corner with the blood dripping head rolling nearby.
"After all, Suryadev was happily married to the girl he loved. Oh my Friend! Why did you take this extreme step?" cried Harisen.
He did not want to live without his friend. Moreover people might think that Harisen himself killed his best friend so that the could marry Kanthimathi. With these thoughts running in his mind, Harisen also cut off his head with the sword and died instantly.
Mother Goddess was moved by Suryadev's devotion and sacrifice and also Harisen's loyalty towards the prince. She therefore brought both of them back to life. But while doing so, by mistake she place Harisen's head on Suryadev's body and Suryadev's head on Harisen's body.
Suryadev and Harisen were now alive but with their heads and bodies interchanged. Kanthimathi was unaware of the incident that took place in the temple.
The story ended here. But Betal had a doubt. Whom should Kanthimathi accept as her husband?
Vikram had the right answer to this question. He said in a firm tone "Kanthimathi should accept the body which has Suryadev's head on it as that of her husband? He justified this reasoning and said, "It's because the entire body is controlled by the brain, this is, the head. A body is useless without the head. So, undoubtedly the person who has Suryadev's head is Kanthimathi's husband".
As soon as he had the answer Betal was back at the tamarind tree handing upside down. Vikram ran behind him.
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Nobel Person
Visakhadatta was the king of a big city. A rich trader called Chandragupta lived in the same city. The king had issued an order that no man could have more than one wife. Nobody could marry some other person's wife. Anybody found guilty was to be punished.
Chandragupta was a bachelor. But once he met an extremely beautiful girl in a fair. He fell in love with her and decided to marry her. On reaching home, Chandragupta asked his servants to find out where she lived and what was her name.
The servants returned a few days later with information about the girl. Her name was Manimanjari. She was the daughter of another rich merchant Madhavchandra of the same city.
Chandragupta sent one of his close friends to Madhavchandra's house with the marriage proposal. But by that time Madhavchandra had already fixed up his daughter's marriage to a boy called Jayachandra. When he heard of this, Chandragupta was very upset. Having loved Manimanjari very deeply, he decided not even to think of marriage to any other girl. When Manimanjari heard of Chandragupta's love for her, she wrote him a letter. "I am helpless" she explained in the letter, "I have to abide by my father's decision. But I will come and see after my marriage is over". Chandragupta felt somewhat happy on seeing the letter.
Manimanjari's marriage with Jayachandra was a grand affair. She was a very honest girl. So, without hiding anything, she told Jayachandra about Chandragupta. Pleased with her honesty, her husband allowed her to visit Chandragupta. Unescorted, she left for his house. On the way, a thief who wanted to rob her of all her jewellery stopped her. Manimanjari pleaded with him, "Please let me go now. I promise you that I will hand over the jewellery on my way back". The thief believed her and allowed her to proceed.
It was dark when Manimanjari reached Chandragupta's house. He was shocked and angry at seeing her. He scolded her, "How can a girl and that too, a married girl come to me at such a late hour? Moreover, don't you know about the king's order? It is an offense on our part to meet like this. If he sees us now, he will impose death penalty on us."
Stunned by Chandragupta's attitude, Manimanjari at once left the place. The thief was waiting for her on the way. He was happy to see her again. But at the same time he was curious to know why she was walking the streets of the city at night.
Manimanjari told the thief all about herself. The thief took pity on her and told her," You are very honest. I will not steal anything from you. Instead I will escort you to your house".
Manimanjari reached home and told her husband about what transpired between herself and Chandragupta. But Jayachandra did not believe her. He threw her out of the house. Feeling distressed and helpless, she committed suicide.
Betal ended his narration here and asked Vikram "Vikram, you have head the story with rapt attention. Now, decide and tell me immediately who is the most noble of these four persons. Was it Manimanjari who ended her life? Or was it her husband who had agreed to send her to Chandragupta? Or the thief, who, without robbing her, sent her away? Or was it Chandragupta? If you know the answer and still prefer to remain silent, your head will split into pieces. Beware!
Vikram replied calmly "Betal! A sacrifice made without selfish motives is the greatest sacrifice. Judge this yourself. Chandragupta did not accept Manimanjari fearing the king's punishment. And her husband doubted her and did not want her back. Manimanjari was truthful. This created an unbearable situation for her. She committed suicide. All these had selfish motives".
Vikram continued to explain, "It was the thief who was the most noble of these four persons. He could have easily robbed her. But he let her go without any selfish on his part".
"Vikram" said Betal in an appreciative tone, "I like your judgement. But you have talked. So I am going back to the tree". Saying so, Betal flew back to the tamarind tree.
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Chandragupta was a bachelor. But once he met an extremely beautiful girl in a fair. He fell in love with her and decided to marry her. On reaching home, Chandragupta asked his servants to find out where she lived and what was her name.
The servants returned a few days later with information about the girl. Her name was Manimanjari. She was the daughter of another rich merchant Madhavchandra of the same city.
Chandragupta sent one of his close friends to Madhavchandra's house with the marriage proposal. But by that time Madhavchandra had already fixed up his daughter's marriage to a boy called Jayachandra. When he heard of this, Chandragupta was very upset. Having loved Manimanjari very deeply, he decided not even to think of marriage to any other girl. When Manimanjari heard of Chandragupta's love for her, she wrote him a letter. "I am helpless" she explained in the letter, "I have to abide by my father's decision. But I will come and see after my marriage is over". Chandragupta felt somewhat happy on seeing the letter.
Manimanjari's marriage with Jayachandra was a grand affair. She was a very honest girl. So, without hiding anything, she told Jayachandra about Chandragupta. Pleased with her honesty, her husband allowed her to visit Chandragupta. Unescorted, she left for his house. On the way, a thief who wanted to rob her of all her jewellery stopped her. Manimanjari pleaded with him, "Please let me go now. I promise you that I will hand over the jewellery on my way back". The thief believed her and allowed her to proceed.
It was dark when Manimanjari reached Chandragupta's house. He was shocked and angry at seeing her. He scolded her, "How can a girl and that too, a married girl come to me at such a late hour? Moreover, don't you know about the king's order? It is an offense on our part to meet like this. If he sees us now, he will impose death penalty on us."
Stunned by Chandragupta's attitude, Manimanjari at once left the place. The thief was waiting for her on the way. He was happy to see her again. But at the same time he was curious to know why she was walking the streets of the city at night.
Manimanjari told the thief all about herself. The thief took pity on her and told her," You are very honest. I will not steal anything from you. Instead I will escort you to your house".
Manimanjari reached home and told her husband about what transpired between herself and Chandragupta. But Jayachandra did not believe her. He threw her out of the house. Feeling distressed and helpless, she committed suicide.
Betal ended his narration here and asked Vikram "Vikram, you have head the story with rapt attention. Now, decide and tell me immediately who is the most noble of these four persons. Was it Manimanjari who ended her life? Or was it her husband who had agreed to send her to Chandragupta? Or the thief, who, without robbing her, sent her away? Or was it Chandragupta? If you know the answer and still prefer to remain silent, your head will split into pieces. Beware!
Vikram replied calmly "Betal! A sacrifice made without selfish motives is the greatest sacrifice. Judge this yourself. Chandragupta did not accept Manimanjari fearing the king's punishment. And her husband doubted her and did not want her back. Manimanjari was truthful. This created an unbearable situation for her. She committed suicide. All these had selfish motives".
Vikram continued to explain, "It was the thief who was the most noble of these four persons. He could have easily robbed her. But he let her go without any selfish on his part".
"Vikram" said Betal in an appreciative tone, "I like your judgement. But you have talked. So I am going back to the tree". Saying so, Betal flew back to the tamarind tree.
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Real Offender
King Vikramaditya reached the peepal tree in the forest. Pulling down the corpse and placing it on his shoulder, he started off as before in silence.
Betal said, Vikram ! your pace has slowed down and you are staggering too. Why don't you rest ?" But Vikram did not respond to it so Betal began his new story as follows:
"Once in the city of Chudapur lived a Brahman whose name was Chudavat. He had a son, named Hariswami who resembled of Kamadeva - God of Love. In due course of time, Hariswami grew up to be as wise and learned as his father. Chudavat decided to get his son married as soon as possible. But he died before Hariswami could be married off.
Shortly after Chudavat's death, Harisami was married to a very beautiful girl. Both the husband and the wife loved each other dearly. They were passing their days happily without any worry at all.
One day, the couple went for a holy dip into the Ganga. As ill luck would have it, Hariswami's wife was drowned in the river.
Separated by death from his beloved wife, Hariswami was so disappointed that he left home and went into the forest. Even there, he could not find any peace. Feeling restless, he wandered from one place to another.
In the end, Hariswami reached Kanchanpur where Vasudeva, an old friend of his father, lived. Vasudeva asked him to stay with him. Vasudeva asked his wife to prepare rice-porridge in milk for the guest.
Soon the porridge was served for Hariswami, but he did not eat it. He took the container full of porridge out into the garden and put it under a tree. Then sitting near it, he got lost in deep reflections.
Just near the tree, there lived a snake in a hole. Attracted by the flavor of milk, the snake came out of its hole. Sucking all the milk out of the porridge and vomiting poison into what was left behind, the snake reentered its hole.
Hariswami, unaware of what had happened, took the container in his hands and ate up the porridge. The poison showed its effect. Hariswami lost no time to realize that the porridge contained some poisonous element in it. He shouted, "You have given me poison in the porridge. Why have you done so?"
Vasudeva felt upset. Soon he saw that the body of his guest was turning blue. Before he could do anything, Hariswami breathed his last.
Vasudeva came to his wife and scolded her saying, "What have you done, O wretched women ? You poisoned the porridge and killed a Brahman."
Having been blamed for Harriswami's murder, though innocent, she jumped into a well and ended her life.
Having told this story, Betal said to Vikramaditya, "Was Vasudeva responsible, or not, for the death of his wife? Should he not be punished for this crime? What punishment did he deserve? Or alternatively, should the blame for the death of Vasudeva's wife be laid on Hariswami? Did he not falsely accuse her of poisoning the porridge and thus abetted her to commit suicide. Let me know your answers immediately."
Vikramaditya replied, "Betal ! Vasudeva was not responsible for his wife's death, he was not an offender.
"Why? He scolded his wife beyond the proper limit and compelled her to commit suicide, " said Betal.
"But, Vasudeva did not know that the snake has poisoned the porridge. He was misled by his guest's shouts as anybody else would have been," argued Vikramaditya.
"Do you think, then, that the snake was the offender?" asked Betal.
"To vomit poison, is no offense for a snake. It is just its nature. Don't you know this, Betal?" argued Vikramaditya.
"Hariswami himself was responsible for his own death. He must not have kept the container of porridge uncovered under the tree. Even then, he too was not the offender," replied Vikramaditya.
"Hariswami had gone mad because of his wife's sudden untimely death. And, he, who is insane, does not posses any sense of discretion. That is why he cannot be styled as an offender," said Vikramaditya.
"Right you are. But you are forgetful of the fact that I shall be free to leave you if you spoke. So, good-bye,
O King of Kings!" said Betal and flew away.
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Betal said, Vikram ! your pace has slowed down and you are staggering too. Why don't you rest ?" But Vikram did not respond to it so Betal began his new story as follows:
"Once in the city of Chudapur lived a Brahman whose name was Chudavat. He had a son, named Hariswami who resembled of Kamadeva - God of Love. In due course of time, Hariswami grew up to be as wise and learned as his father. Chudavat decided to get his son married as soon as possible. But he died before Hariswami could be married off.
Shortly after Chudavat's death, Harisami was married to a very beautiful girl. Both the husband and the wife loved each other dearly. They were passing their days happily without any worry at all.
One day, the couple went for a holy dip into the Ganga. As ill luck would have it, Hariswami's wife was drowned in the river.
Separated by death from his beloved wife, Hariswami was so disappointed that he left home and went into the forest. Even there, he could not find any peace. Feeling restless, he wandered from one place to another.
In the end, Hariswami reached Kanchanpur where Vasudeva, an old friend of his father, lived. Vasudeva asked him to stay with him. Vasudeva asked his wife to prepare rice-porridge in milk for the guest.
Soon the porridge was served for Hariswami, but he did not eat it. He took the container full of porridge out into the garden and put it under a tree. Then sitting near it, he got lost in deep reflections.
Just near the tree, there lived a snake in a hole. Attracted by the flavor of milk, the snake came out of its hole. Sucking all the milk out of the porridge and vomiting poison into what was left behind, the snake reentered its hole.
Hariswami, unaware of what had happened, took the container in his hands and ate up the porridge. The poison showed its effect. Hariswami lost no time to realize that the porridge contained some poisonous element in it. He shouted, "You have given me poison in the porridge. Why have you done so?"
Vasudeva felt upset. Soon he saw that the body of his guest was turning blue. Before he could do anything, Hariswami breathed his last.
Vasudeva came to his wife and scolded her saying, "What have you done, O wretched women ? You poisoned the porridge and killed a Brahman."
Having been blamed for Harriswami's murder, though innocent, she jumped into a well and ended her life.
Having told this story, Betal said to Vikramaditya, "Was Vasudeva responsible, or not, for the death of his wife? Should he not be punished for this crime? What punishment did he deserve? Or alternatively, should the blame for the death of Vasudeva's wife be laid on Hariswami? Did he not falsely accuse her of poisoning the porridge and thus abetted her to commit suicide. Let me know your answers immediately."
Vikramaditya replied, "Betal ! Vasudeva was not responsible for his wife's death, he was not an offender.
"Why? He scolded his wife beyond the proper limit and compelled her to commit suicide, " said Betal.
"But, Vasudeva did not know that the snake has poisoned the porridge. He was misled by his guest's shouts as anybody else would have been," argued Vikramaditya.
"Do you think, then, that the snake was the offender?" asked Betal.
"To vomit poison, is no offense for a snake. It is just its nature. Don't you know this, Betal?" argued Vikramaditya.
"Hariswami himself was responsible for his own death. He must not have kept the container of porridge uncovered under the tree. Even then, he too was not the offender," replied Vikramaditya.
"Hariswami had gone mad because of his wife's sudden untimely death. And, he, who is insane, does not posses any sense of discretion. That is why he cannot be styled as an offender," said Vikramaditya.
"Right you are. But you are forgetful of the fact that I shall be free to leave you if you spoke. So, good-bye,
O King of Kings!" said Betal and flew away.
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The crows and the serpent
Once upon a time there lived a crow couple, who had built a nest on the top of a tree. But unfortunately the tree was inhabited by a serpent at its bottom. So the serpent used to crawl up the tree and eat all the eggs that the lady crow used to lay. The crow couple were deeply grieved and when this happened time after time, then they decided that the serpent was to be get rid of by a plan.
So the crow then approached his friend the jackal and asked for a plan. The jackal then told him to go and fetch a costly thing from the palace of the king and throw the thing in the burrow of the snake. The crow went to palace, and stole a necklace of the queen while she was bathing. The gaurds of the palace ran after it. The crow then dropped the necklace in the burrow of the snake beneath the tree.
The gaurds on reaching the bottom of the tree, found the necklace gaurded by the serpent. Then they lynched the serpent and recovered the necklace. So the crow family was now happy that their eggs were safe now.
MORAL: Wit can achieve anything.
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So the crow then approached his friend the jackal and asked for a plan. The jackal then told him to go and fetch a costly thing from the palace of the king and throw the thing in the burrow of the snake. The crow went to palace, and stole a necklace of the queen while she was bathing. The gaurds of the palace ran after it. The crow then dropped the necklace in the burrow of the snake beneath the tree.
The gaurds on reaching the bottom of the tree, found the necklace gaurded by the serpent. Then they lynched the serpent and recovered the necklace. So the crow family was now happy that their eggs were safe now.
MORAL: Wit can achieve anything.
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The heron and the crab
Once upon a time there lived a heron by the side of a pond. It was a lazy creature and once deivsed a plan to get a supply of fish without doing much work. So one day, he went to the side of the pond and put on a gloomy face without attempting to catch any fish. The pond was also inhabited by a carb, which was wise and often helped the fish in the pond. On seeing the gloomy heron, the crab asked her what the matter was.
The heron said, "Alas! I am worried that the pond is going to be soon devoid of any fish, which are in turn my source of food. I overheard a group of fishermen talking about catching all the fish in this pond. But I know of a pond somewhat far away, where all the fish shall be safe. If the fish are interested, i can carry a few each day to the other pond where they will be safe."
All the fish were eager to make use of the heron in reaching a safer destination. So everyday some of the them volunteer to go with the heron. The heron took some fish each day in the beak, and on reaching a large rock used to eat all the fish up and leave the bones of the fish at the rock. So she was able to get a continuos supply of fish at no effort at all. In the end, the curiosity got the better of the crab, and one day it volunteered to go with the fish. When it had gone closer to the rock, it realised the foul play the heron had been playing on the poor fish. Enraged, it tightened its claws around the neck of the heron and snapped the head of the heron off. The heron this died a selfish death. The crab crept back to the pond and told all the fish about the lies the heron had been telling.
MORAL: Excess of Greed is harmful.
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The heron said, "Alas! I am worried that the pond is going to be soon devoid of any fish, which are in turn my source of food. I overheard a group of fishermen talking about catching all the fish in this pond. But I know of a pond somewhat far away, where all the fish shall be safe. If the fish are interested, i can carry a few each day to the other pond where they will be safe."
All the fish were eager to make use of the heron in reaching a safer destination. So everyday some of the them volunteer to go with the heron. The heron took some fish each day in the beak, and on reaching a large rock used to eat all the fish up and leave the bones of the fish at the rock. So she was able to get a continuos supply of fish at no effort at all. In the end, the curiosity got the better of the crab, and one day it volunteered to go with the fish. When it had gone closer to the rock, it realised the foul play the heron had been playing on the poor fish. Enraged, it tightened its claws around the neck of the heron and snapped the head of the heron off. The heron this died a selfish death. The crab crept back to the pond and told all the fish about the lies the heron had been telling.
MORAL: Excess of Greed is harmful.
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The greedy jackal
Once upon a time there lived a lazy jackal. Also in the hills there lived a hillman and a wild boar. Once when the hillman went to hunt, he saw the wold boar. He took a sharp aim with his arrow and stuck the boar. But the boar was only injured and it attacked the hillman and he died on the spot. But the boar also collapsed due to the injury and died.
The jackal happened to pass the site of both the dead bodies, and the jackal decided to eat them slowly. But he was excessively greedy and first wanted to eat the bowstring, before the other bodies. As he tried to eat the bowstring which was tightly attached to the bow, it snapped and the end of the string pierced the roof of its mouth and it stuck a big injury to the jackal and the jackal died on the spot.
MORAL: Too much of greed is harmful.
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The jackal happened to pass the site of both the dead bodies, and the jackal decided to eat them slowly. But he was excessively greedy and first wanted to eat the bowstring, before the other bodies. As he tried to eat the bowstring which was tightly attached to the bow, it snapped and the end of the string pierced the roof of its mouth and it stuck a big injury to the jackal and the jackal died on the spot.
MORAL: Too much of greed is harmful.
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Blue Jackal
Once upon a time there lived a jackal who strayed into a city in search of food. He was hungry and was being chased by a group of dogs. He accidentally entered the house of a dyer and fell into a vat of indigo(blue), and was stained blue from head to toe. When he escaped from the house back into the forest, all animals were surprised at his appearance and could not place its identity. Taking advantage of the situation, the jackal decided to play the situation to his advantage. He proclaimed that he was Fierce Owl, sent by the king of Gods, Indra, to earth to gaurd the forest.
The gullible animals believed the jackal. The jackal then appointed the Lion as his Prime minister, tiger as his gaurdian of the bed chamber and the elephant was made the door keeper. He then drove all the jackals out of sight from the forest for fear of being recognized. The animals would hunt food and bring it to the self proclaimed king and the king would distribute the food to all equally just as a king would do. So he was leading a life of luxury.
One day a herd of jackals were passing by howling to their glory. Unable to control his natural instinct, FierceOwl showed his natural voice and howled at the top of his voice. Hearing this howl, the animals realised that they had been fooled by a jackal and killed the jackal instantly.
MORAL: Excess of Greed is harmful.
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The gullible animals believed the jackal. The jackal then appointed the Lion as his Prime minister, tiger as his gaurdian of the bed chamber and the elephant was made the door keeper. He then drove all the jackals out of sight from the forest for fear of being recognized. The animals would hunt food and bring it to the self proclaimed king and the king would distribute the food to all equally just as a king would do. So he was leading a life of luxury.
One day a herd of jackals were passing by howling to their glory. Unable to control his natural instinct, FierceOwl showed his natural voice and howled at the top of his voice. Hearing this howl, the animals realised that they had been fooled by a jackal and killed the jackal instantly.
MORAL: Excess of Greed is harmful.
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Sparrow and the Elephant
Once upon a time there lived a sparrow with her husband on a tree. She had built a nice nest and laid her eggs in the nest. One morning, a wild elephant with spring fever feeling restive came to the tree in search of shade and in a rage broke the branch of the tree on which the nest was residing. Unluckily all the sparrow eggs were lost though both parents were saved. The she-sparrow was deep in lament.
Seeing her lament, the woodpecker bird, a friend of hers offered her consolation that she would think of a way of killing the elephant. Then she went to her friend the gnat, who in turn went to the counselor frog for advice. The frog then devised a scheme for killing the elephant. He asked the gnat to buzz in the ears of the elephant, so that the elephant would be thrilled to listen to the music of the gnat and close its eyes. Then she asked the woodpecker to pluck his eyes. She herself would be on the edge of a pit and would croak misleading the elephant to think that it is a pond.
The next day at noon the three carried out the plan and the elephant was killed when he fell flat into a pit after being blinded by the woodpecker when he closed his eyes in response to the gnat. So the revenge was taken with collective wit of all three animals.
MORAL: Wit is superior to brute force.
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Seeing her lament, the woodpecker bird, a friend of hers offered her consolation that she would think of a way of killing the elephant. Then she went to her friend the gnat, who in turn went to the counselor frog for advice. The frog then devised a scheme for killing the elephant. He asked the gnat to buzz in the ears of the elephant, so that the elephant would be thrilled to listen to the music of the gnat and close its eyes. Then she asked the woodpecker to pluck his eyes. She herself would be on the edge of a pit and would croak misleading the elephant to think that it is a pond.
The next day at noon the three carried out the plan and the elephant was killed when he fell flat into a pit after being blinded by the woodpecker when he closed his eyes in response to the gnat. So the revenge was taken with collective wit of all three animals.
MORAL: Wit is superior to brute force.
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THE STORY OF KRISHNA AND PUTANA
The story of Krishna, and Putana is very well known. Kamsa, the evil uncle of Krishna, had hired the services of Putana, the Rakshasi (female demon), to kill Krishna. Putana was a magician and could take any form she wanted. She disguised herself as a Gopikaa, a cowherdess, and entered Krishna's house. Krishna was still a baby then. She fed Krishna on her own milk which was poisoned. Krishna, though a baby, knew of the real form of her and sucked her so hard that he extracted her life along with the milk. Before dying she assumed her original form and died. So Krishna possessed divined powers since his childhood days.
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The tale of Kaliya the serpent
The story of Krishna, and Kaliya the serpent is very well known. Kaliya, a naga (a serpent), had been occupying the river Yamuna and its banks.It had poisoned the waters of the Yamuna and also dried the forests nearby by the poison airs breathed by it. Krishna jumped into the water to kill the serpent. He was coiled around by Kaliya, the serpent king and he lay at the bottom of the river. But then he soon was reminded of his divine powers and exercising his powers he uncoiled himself from the serpent and danced on the head of the serpent and wanted to kill it. But on imploration from the wives of Kaliya, he left it alone and asked them all to leave the shores of Yamuna. So they left and Yamuna and its shored regained their normal form. This feat is termed as Kaliya-Daman. read more stories
The story of Bakasura
Bakasura is again one of the asuras contracted by Kamsa to kill Krishna. Bakasura was the brother of Putana, whose story is given earlier. Bakasura took the form of a giant bird and terrorised the cowherds and cowherdesses of Gokul. Krishna, in an act of bravery entered the beak of the bird, and then the bird closed its beak. But Krishna wriggled round and round inside so as to make Bakasura uneasy and ultimately Bakasura had to vomit Krishna out and he died on the spot.
Similar to Bakasura, his brother Aghasura was similarly deputed by Kamsa. But Krishna again vanquished him too who took the form of a giant serpent, by going inside and wriggling his body.
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Krishna and Arjuna
A long long time ago, people believed that by doing "yagnas", they would become strong and their every wish would be granted. What did these "yagnas" involve? Well, they involved setting up a huge fire and doing long poojas. During these poojas, lots of ghee was put into the fire. This went on for a long time. One day, Agni the fire god started feeling very sick and weak. He went to Lord Brahma and told him, "Oh lord! I'm feeling very weak and very tired. I just don't feel my usual healthy self. What is wrong with me?" Lord Brahma answered, "Agni, you have been fed with a lot of ghee and that is making you feel like this. There is a big forest one earth, go and blaze in it. This will restore you to your former health". Agni was very happy to hear this and went and started devouring the forest. All the animals in the forest started running helter-skelter. Now it so happened that Indra, the king of gods had a friend - the king of snakes - and Indra thought to himself, "My friend is in that forest and he will surely get burnt if Agni continues to blaze forth". So, Indra released his thunder and brought rain, thus dousing Agni. This happened again and again. Agni finally got very sad. He went to Lord Brahma once again and the lord told him to approach Arjuna and Krishna. They were camping near the forest. Agni went to them and told them his problem. The two friends immediately agreed to help Agni but Arjuna did not have the necessary weapons. Agni immediately gave Arjuna a magic quiver, from which the arrows would never get exhausted. Taking this, Arjuna and Krishna went to the forest with Agni. Agni started blazing away at the forest once more. When Indra saw this, he once again came to the aid of this friend by bringing rainfall. Arjuna immediately shot arrows at the sky and blocked the entire sky above the forest. This stopped the rain from dousing the flames. Indra was frustrated and immediately took his large army and went to fight with Arjuna and Krishna. At the same time, the asuras who were hiding in the forest came out. Krishna started fighting with the asuras and Arjuna with his father's huge army. (For those who don't know, Indra is Arjuna's father.) The war that ensued was a long and hard one. Finally, Indra's army was losing when a heavenly voice spoke out to Indra, "Indra, your friend is not in the forest. He went away just before the fire started. The forest was destined to burn down and you can't stop it". Hearing this, Indra conceded defeat. Suddenly, they saw an asura trying to run away. Krishna raised his Sudarshana Chakra to kill him. The asura ran to Arjuna and pled with him to save his life. Arjuna promised him his life and prayed with Krishna not to kill him. This asura was an architect and in return he asked Arjuna to make a wish. Arjuna said, "Make a very beautiful palace for my brother, such a palace which the world has not seen earlier or will see again". The asura designed a wonderful palace and the Pandava brothers went to live there after their "vanvas" of 13 year. This wonderful palace was the last nail in the coffin of the enemity between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Agni then blazed away peacefully for 15 days and at the end of it, he regained his lost vigor. There are many stories from mahabharata about his later part of life. We shall be adding more stories of krishna in due course of time. Jai Krishna
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