The stories of Vikram and the Betal began in India. They are about a king named Vikram and a ghost named Betal. These stories were originally written in Sanskrit. The purpose of these tales is to teach moral lessons to those who read or listen to them.
The preface of the Vikram Betal story
King Vikram made a promise to the ghost Betal to accompany him on a journey to complete his prayers. Betal wanted to tell a story and ask Vikram a question at the end.
But there were rules:
- If Vikram answers correctly, Betal would return to their starting point.
- If Vikram refused to answer, his time would be up.
- and If Vikram didn’t know the answer, they would continue on their journey while Betal told another story.
1. Whose Sacrifice is Bigger?
The first story is about a King named Roopsen who ruled the Burdwan Kingdom. He appointed a young man named Birbar as his guard, and Birbar served him well. One day, they heard a lady crying in a field, and Birbar discovered that she was warning the King about a danger. The lady told Birbar that if he served a nearby temple, the King’s life would be spared. Birbar and his family went to serve the temple, but they couldn’t survive the harsh conditions and died.
When the King found out, he was devastated and decided to end his life. However, the Goddess of the temple appeared before him and blessed him for his pure heart. The King asked the goddess to bring back Birbar and his family, and they were miraculously restored.
Now Betal asks Vikram “ Whose sacrifice is bigger?”
Vikram said that the King’s sacrifice is greater than Birbar’s because it was Birbar’s duty to protect the King, but the King was not required to protect Birbar. The King’s willingness to sacrifice his life out of love and kindness makes his sacrifice more significant.
Betal flew back to the tree trunk after hearing Vikram’s answer.
2.Whose favour is greater?
There was a young boy named Chiramdev in Mithilavati who really wanted to work in the royal court. But he couldn’t get in. One day, the King of Mithilavati – Gunadhip got lost in the jungle while hunting. Chiramdev found the King and saved him. The King made Chiramdev his guard.
A few days later, Chiramdev went to the seashore and saw a temple. He decided to visit it. On the temple stairs, he saw a beautiful girl and fell in love with her. The girl told Chiramdev to take a holy dip in the temple pond. When he did, he found himself back in Mithilavati.
Chiramdev told the King everything. The King agreed to help and they went back to the temple near the sea-shore. They saw the same girl, but this time she fell in love with the King. The King asked her to marry Chiramdev instead.
“So, whose favour is bigger, Gunadhip or Chiramdev?” Asked Betal
“Gundhip did a huge favor by helping Chiramdev, even though he didn’t have to. He did it because he cares about him.”replied Vikram
Hearing the correct answer, Betal flew back.
3. Whose sacrifice is greater?
Once upon a time, there was a kind Prince named Jimutvahan who lived in exile with his queen Malayavati due to family crises. One day, while on his way to a temple, he came across debris and a crying lady. The lady explained that a demon was eating the village boys, and today was her son Shankchoor’s turn.
Jimutvahan, being kind-hearted, decided to confront the demon. When the demon arrived, Jimutvahan fought bravely but was captured and taken into the sky. Shankchoor then revealed that he was the demon’s true target, not Jimutvahan. Touched by Jimutvahan’s sacrifice, the demon promised to spare the village boys.
“Can you tell me whose sacrifice was greater?” Asked Betal.
Vikram replied “ Shankchoor did a greater deed than Jimutvahan. Jimutvahan, a warrior king, had a duty to protect his people. However, Shankchoor, on the other hand, saved Jimutvahan’s life out of pure kindness. That’s why Shankchoor’s penance is considered greater.”
Hearing the correct answer, Betal flew back to the tree trunk.
4. Who is the most educated?
Once upon a time, there were four siblings who lived in a village. They decided to learn the art of resurrection from a wise master. When they were on their way back to the village after completing their training, they came across a dead lion. The siblings wanted to show off what they had learned, but the youngest brother didn’t agree.
The oldest brother arranged the lion’s bones, the second brother covered them with skin, and the third brother was about to resurrect the lion. The youngest brother tried to stop him, but no one listened. So, he climbed a tree. When the third brother chanted the sacred words, the lion came back to life and ate all three brothers.
“Who was the most educated of all the three siblings?” Betal asked Vikram.
Vikram replied “The person who attempted to halt the three brothers. He was smart enough to think about what might happen next, but the other three brothers didn’t think about what could happen because of their actions..”
Hearing this, Betal flew back to the tree trunk again.
5. Who is the intelligent one?
Once there was a Brahmin named Govind who lived in Dharmpur with his two sons, Hatidatt and Somdatt. Govind needed a tortoise for a ritual to bring wealth and prosperity. His sons fought over who would bring it, and the matter ended up in the royal court. The King decided to test their talents to make a decision. The first son claimed he could smell and identify where food came from.
The King’s chef brought some food, and the first son correctly identified where the grains were grown. Then the second son claimed he could inspect a bed and determine if it was suitable for sleeping. The King’s servant brought a bed, and the second son found a thorn in the seventh layer, proving it was not fit for sleeping. The King was amazed and couldn’t make a decision.
“Now tell me who is the intelligent one among both of them?” Asked Betal
Vikram was unsure of the answer initially. Betal, pleased with Vikram’s honesty, decides to accompany him.
Folktales are a huge part of our culture and they teach us about our rich history along with right and wrong. At Mother’s Point Kindergarten, we teach moral values to kids at a very young age and teach them right from wrong. These teachings ensure kids adopt healthy values in life at a young age and understand what’s good and what’s not.
