Chapter 3 Who is Sinful?

In the rustic serenity of the old woman's abode, Prince and the minister's son sought refuge, seeking temporary residence. Approaching the old lady, they presented themselves as merchants awaiting their caravan.

"granny, we are merchants. Our staff is following behind . Give us some space to live for some days ."

Touched by their appearance, the old lady graciously granted them hospitality.

Old lady felt a surge of affection. She said, "Son, Stay as long as you feel like."

Both stayed there. The minister's son asked her, "granny, what do you do for living ? Who is there in your house? How do you manage?"

Engaging in conversation, the minister's son inquired about the old lady's life. She revealed, "I have a son in the king's service, and in my youth, I served as the nanny for the king's daughter, Padmavati. Now, in my old age, I stay at home, sustained by the king's benevolence."

The prince gave some money to the old woman and said, "Granny, if you go there tomorrow, tell the princess that the prince you found at the pond on that day has arrived."

The next day when the old woman went to the palace, she gave her the prince's message. As soon as the princess heard this, she got angry, applied sandalwood on her hands and slapped the granny on her cheek and said, "Get out of my house."

The old lady came home and told everything to the prince. The prince was stunned. Then his friend said, "Prince, don't be afraid, understand her clues. She hit ten fingers in the white sandalwood, by this he means that now there are ten days of moonlight. I will meet him in the dark night after that."

After ten days, the old lady again informed the princess, this time she dipped three fingers in saffron color and hit her on the face and said, "Run away from here."

The old lady came and told everything. The prince quivered in sorrow. The minister's son explained, "What is there to be surprised about? She indicated that she is in her menstruating days. Wait three more days."

After three days, the old woman reached there again. This time the princess rebuked her and threw her out of the west window.

The granny came and told the prince the unjust she had faced . Hearing this, the minister's son said, "Friend, she has called you to that window tonight."

The prince jumped out of happiness. When the time came, He wore the old lady's dress, applied perfume and tied his weapons. After two o'clock in the night he reached the palace and entered through the window. The princess was standing there, all set. She took him inside.

The prince stayed with the princess the whole night. As soon as day came, the princess hid the prince and took him out again when night fell. Like this many days passed.

Suddenly one day the prince remembered his friend. He was worried that he didn't know what might have happened to him. Looking sad the princess asked the reason and he told. "He is my very dear friend and very clever." It was only because of his intelligence that I was able to meet you."

The princess said, "I will prepare a wonderful meal for him. You feed him and console him and come back."

Taking the food with him, the prince reached his friend. They haven't met in a month. When the prince met, he told him the whole story and said that I have told the princess all about your cleverness, that is why she has prepared and sent this food.

The minister's son started thinking. He said, "You did not do this well. The princess understood that as long as I am there, she cannot keep you under her control. That's why she has sent this food mixed with poison."

Saying this, the minister's son picked up a sweet dumpling from the plate and threw it in front of the dog. The dog died immediately after eating it.

The prince felt very bad. He said, "How dare she?? I fell in love with such a woman! I won't go near her anymore."

The minister's son said, "No, now we should find a solution by which we can take her home."

Tonight, you go there. When the princess falls asleep, mark a trident on her left thigh and bring her jewellery."

Prince did exactly the same. When he arrived, the minister's son took Prince with him, disguised himself as an exorcist , sat in cremation ground and told the prince to take these jewels and sell them in the market. If anyone catches you, tell him to go to my guru and bring him here.

The prince took the jewels to the city and showed them to a goldsmith near the palace. As soon as the goldsmith saw the jewelry , he recognized them and took the prince to the guard station. When the guard captain asked, prince said that his teacher had given these to him. The minister's son disguised as exorcist was also caught. Everyone went in front of the king.

The king asked, "exorcist , where did you get these jewels?"

The disguised son of the minister said, "O king, I was proving Dakini-mantra in cremation ground when Dakini came. I took off her jewelery and made a trident mark on her left thigh."

Hearing this, the king went to the palace and told the queen to check whether there was a mark of a trident on Padmavati's left thigh. When the queen saw, it was there.

The king felt very sad. Coming out, he took the exorcist aside and said, "your holiness , what is the punishment for women who had turned into daikini, in the scriptures?"

The son of minister disguised as exorcist replied, "If a king himself or someone living under his care commits any wrongdoing, he or she should be exiled." Hearing this, the king was sad and heartbroken for his daughter but still the king put Padmavati in a palanquin and ordered the guard captain to release the princess into the forest.

The guard did what he was ordered and sent the princess into the forest.

The prince and the minister's son were just waiting there.

Finding the princess alone, the prince reunited with her and returned to his kingdom with her and started living happily.

As the story concluded, Vetal turned to Vikram, "Now answer my question, O King Vikram ."

"tell me who has committed the sin?"

The king Vikram said, "The king Dantbaat is guilty.

Vetal asked "why?"

In the shadowy ambiance of the cremation ground, Vikram's voice cut through the stillness as he addressed Vetal, "The king, driven by rash judgment, banished Padmavati without proper investigation, committing a grave sin."

Vetal, hanging on Vikram's shoulder , listened intently, a mischievous glint in his spectral eyes. "And what about the minister's son?" he prodded.

Vikram, his gaze unwavering, continued his assessment, "The minister's son, in his cunning maneuvers, orchestrated a plan that involved marking a trident on Padmavati's thigh while she slept. His actions, though strategic, were not without moral ambiguity."

Vetal, seemingly amused, swung gently, urging Vikram to elaborate. "And the guard captain?" he inquired.

Vikram, ever the discerning monarch, dissected the guard captain's role, "The guard captain, obeying the king's orders, played a pivotal role in Padmavati's banishment."

Vetal, hanging in anticipation, prompted Vikram to address the final piece of the puzzle, "And what about the prince?"

With a thoughtful demeanor, Vikram analyzed, "The prince, driven by love, failed to see beyond his emotions. He willingly partook in the plan, unaware of the consequences it would bring to Padmavati. His actions, though rooted in affection, were misguided."

Vetal, now dangling in contemplation, absorbed Vikram's nuanced evaluation. The monarch, having dissected the moral quandaries of each character, awaited Vetal's response. The ghostly entity, ever enigmatic, chuckled softly, "Vikram, you navigate the intricacies of morality with finesse. Your keen insight pierces through the veils of human actions. Yet, in uttering these truths, you've broken our silent accord. Back to my perch, I return," and with that, Vetal vanished, leaving Vikram alone in the silent realm of the cremation ground.