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.

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