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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