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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