The story of Pavalakkodi as told by ninth doll Navarathnavalli

The story of Pavalakkodi as told by ninth doll Navarathnavalli.

Retold by
P.R.Ramachander
On the ninth day Bhoja raja after his morning duties again started climbing on to the throne of Vikramadhithya. He was stopped on the ninth step by Navarathnavalli doll. It told him that he does not have great qualities of the king Vikramadhithya and is not fit to occupy the throne. Then king Bhoja asked that doll, “Doll please tell me about the greatness of Vikramadhithya. The doll started telling the following story:-
Once Vikramadhithya started along with Bhatti and Vetala on his six month sojourn in the forest. After a long travel they reached the town of Ambalapuri in the banks of river Thungabhadra. They washed themselves and were taking rest below a banyan tree in the bank of the river. At that time people of the town caught a woman who was making love with a man other than her husband, killed her and threw her corpse near the bathing ghat of the ladies of the river. They wanted that the ladies of the town should learn their lesson from this. At that time two sisters came to take bath in the river. The elder was Muthunayagi who was married and knew the ways of the world and younger was Pavalakkodi who had just attained age. On seeing the corpse Muthunayagi wept uncontrollably. When Pavalakkodi asked her why, she replied, “You still do not know the ways of the world. Here is a lady who could not get happiness from her husband and went with someone else. She has been killed for that.” Pavalakkodi uncontrollably laughed and told her sister, “That is because that lady did not how to be with a secret lover and not get caught.”
Vikrama who was hearing this wanted to marry her and test her capacity to cheat him. When he told this to Bhatti, he enquired and found out that her father was a merchant called Muthu Manikkam. So Bhatti and Vikrama dressed themselves as diamond and pearl merchants and opened a shop in the town. Muthu Manikkam who came to the shop enquired about them. Then Bhatti told, “We are both merchants of gems. Our father died early and ever since we are going from place to place in search of a bride to my elder brother, Adhithya who was with me.”
Muthu Manikkam invited them to his house and showed them Pavalakkodi and asked Bhatti whether his brother would marry Pavalakkodi. On getting a positive reply, the marriage was celebrated. After some time, Vikrama gave all the rest of the jewels to Muthu Manikkam and started with his new bride along with Bhatti on Vetala. During all that time. Vikrama never even touched Pavalakkodi. On their way, they saw a locked and deserted fort in a town. When the people there enquired told him, that the fort was cursed by a saint who has told that only Vikramadhithya can open it. When Vikrama touched the lock it opened. All of them they decided to stay there. Pavalakkodi was pining in love towards Vikrama. But he never even touched her. In night, in three separate beds they slept with Pavalakkodi in the middle. Whenever Bhatti and Vikrama went out, they locked the door and went. For doing the cleaning of the fort and washing of the cloths they employed a very old woman. When one day the old woman described the beauty of Pavalakkodi, her son felt passionately in love with her. He stopped eating food and left out sleeping. Worried about this that old woman asked Pavalakkodi, “Please pardon me for asking you. My son is hopelessly in love with you. She wanted to make love with you. “ . Pavalakkodi then replied, “Only a man with ability can do things.” When the old woman told about this to her son, that night the old woman climbed a tall tree and entered the fort. He went to the place where the three people were sleeping. He then caressed the feet of Pavalakkodi. She got up and asked him to make love to her. In the process once her leg hit Vikramadhithya who thought that Bhatti was making love with the girl and once her legs hit Bhatti who thought that Vikrama was impatient and making love with the girl. After some times Pavalakkodi hid her lover in one of those rooms.
Vikrama and Bhatti went out and both were not in talking terms. Bhatti guessed the reason and wanted to investigate. When they went near the river, they saw two saintly persons coming there. As soon as they reached the river the saints opened their hair, took out two pretty ladies and left them there and went to take bath. The ladies immediately opened the tips of their dress and released their lovers and made love with them. By the time the sages came back, they tied the secret lovers in their dress. The saints came and tied the ladies on their hair. Bhatti invited the sages to meals. When they reached the fort Bhatti asked Pavalakkodi to prepare food for ten people and put ten leaves. First the guest saints sat, Vikrama and Bhatti sat next. Then Bhatti requested to release their wives from their hair. They were also asked to sit. Bhatti asked the ladies to release their secret lovers. As there was no other go they released them. One leaf was remaining. Bhatti then asked Pavalakkodi to bring her secret lover. As she had no other option she brought him out of his hiding. Then Only Vikrama understood. He pardoned Pavalakkodi gave her to her secret lover and made him the king of that town. He made the secret lovers of the wives of the saints as his ministers. They sages left from there to do penance.
Bhatti and Vikrama returned back after their six month sojourn.
The doll then told, “Oh king Bhoja, this is the greatness of Vikramadhithya who occupied this throne. If you think that you are equal to him, then you can definitely go up. Bhoja returned back that day without further climbing

The story of Dasi Aparanji and the Neethi Vakya parrot as told by eighth doll soundara valli.

The story of Dasi Aparanji and the Neethi Vakya parrot as told by eighth doll soundara valli.

Retold by
P.R.Ramachander
On the eighth day Bhoja raja after his morning duties again started climbing on to the throne of Vikramadhithya. He was stopped on the eighth step by Soundara valli doll. It told him that he does not have great qualities of the king Vikramadhithya and is not fit to occupy the throne. Then king Bhoja asked that doll, “Doll please tell me about the greatness of Vikramadhithya. The doll started telling the following story:-
Once during the reign of Vikramadhithya when the time came for the six month forest sojourn, Vikrama and Bhatti along with Vetala started towards the forest after entrusting the kingdom to Viyoga the son of Bhatti. On their way after crossing the Vindhya Mountain, they reached a town called Rajapuri. In that town there was a very pretty prostitute called Aparanji. She fell in love with a very wise and handsome Brahmin called Abbasi. She was always with the Brahmin and enjoyed her life. But once suddenly due to heart attack the Brahmin died. Being terribly attached to him Aparanji did not bury or cremate the corpse of the Brahmin but preserved it and took it along with her to the local Durga temple. The Goddess who took pity on her, told her “After some time king Vikramadhithya and Bhatti will visit this town dressing themselves as merchants. Suppose you make Vikramadhithya happy, there will be a chance to make this Brahmin live again. Please obey all they say. When they ask you to jump in the fire, you please do it. They would give you back your life. Then you request from them my sacred water. Once you get it sprinkle on the Brahmin. Then he would live again.” Aparanji gladly agreed to the words of the mother and saluted her.
As soon as Vikrama and Bhatti reached that town, they dressed themselves like jewel merchants and started selling gems in the market. Vikrama called himself as Big Kanthayar and Bhatti called himself as small Kanthayar. One day Vikrama took a walk alone and happened to the red light street populated by prostitutes. There he saw the palace like home of Dasi Aparanji. Attracted by it, he entered the house. Seeing him, Aparanji understood that he is King Vikramadhithya. She received him well and served him in a great manner. Vikrama was wondering why a prostitute who normally is interested only in only was doing all these. She looked after Vikramadhithya for the entire night. Vikrama who normally used to leave the houses of ladies whom he visits early morning before dawn stayed with her till around 10 Am. When he returned back, Bhatti wanted to know why he was returning so late because, if he returns with yellow and saffron marks from a ladies house, people will jeer at him. Then Vikrama told, “I have seen various ladies in my life but I have never seen a prostitute who is so virtuous and loving like Aparanji.” Bhatti replied, “King, no prostitute is virtuous. They would either be interested in your money or on the favours that you only can do.” When Vikrama protested Bhatti told him, “If that is so ask her for her curly hair while coming back tomorrow.”
Next day Vikrama returned with her curly hair but then Bhatti told, “Still I am not convinced. Please ask for cutting her nose and giving a piece to you, while coming back tomorrow.” Aparanji, when asked by Vikrama gave him a tip of her nose. That day Vikrama returned with a piece of her nose. Still Bhatti was not convinced and told Vikrama, “I am still not convinced. Today ask her for a piece of her breast.” Vikrama did that and Aparanji gave him a piece of her bread without hesitation. That day Vikrama got very angry with Bhatti but Bhatti told, King, there must be a reason for this. I would prove to you that I am right within another 8 days. Bhatti asked Vikrama not to visit Aparanji’s house from then onwards and hid him in a forest nearby. He went back to the town, raised a big fire and started crying. When people asked him why he told that his elder brother is no more and he wanted to cremate his body. He requested them to pass on this news to Aparanji. As soon as she heard this Aparanji came running and jumped in to the fire and died. When Vikrama got upset and angry, Bhatti requested him to get the sacred water from Goddess Durga and bring back Aparanji to life. As soon as Aparanji woke up, she took the sacred water from Vikrama and ran home. She sprinkled that water on the Brahmin’s body and started loving him nonstop. That night when Vikrama went to Aparanji’s house he was not allowed inside and driven out. Then only Vikrama was convinced that no prostitute is virtuous like one’s own wife. When they were talking about this, Goddess earth took the form of a snake and laughed loudly at Vikramadhithya. Though they did not understand why the snake laughed, they walked further and Vikrama fell fast asleep due to tiredness. When Bhatti went to Goddess Durga and asked her, she told him , “ That snake was mother earth. She was laughing at Vikramadhithya because one of his favourite wives Elola Rambha is keeping her secret lover in the shape of a parrot during day time and making him take his normal form at night and enjoy with him.
Bhatti told about all this to Vikrama. That night Vikrama, Vetala and Bhatti went to the palace of Elolarambhai, caught her red handed and killer her as well as her secret lover. Since the six month’s time was not over, Vikrama went back to the forest.
This was seen by a carpenter friend of Vikrama called Vijaya. Being an expert carpenter Vijaya had made a flying doll and presented it to Vikrama. Due to this Vijaya became Vikramadhithya’s great friend. His ambition was to learn the art of transmigration of souls. Bhatti advised Vikramadhithya against teaching him this art. Having come to know that Vikramadhithya was nearby and in the forest, Vijaya went and met him in the forest. Vikrama was very happy to see this friend. As per his request Vikrama taught him the art of transmigration of souls. After that one day Vikrama was lying down, with his head on the lap of Vijaya below a banyan tree. At that time two parrots came and sat on the tree. One of them was a male and another female. Due to a stroke, the male parrot suddenly died and the female bird started crying pitiably, With a view to console the female bird, Vikrama transferred his soul from his body in to the body of the male bird. Seeing Vikrama lying motionless and also seeing the male parrot dancing, Vijaya transferred his soul to the body of Vikramadhithya. He immediately burned his own body. Seeing this Vikramadhithya was helpless and flew away from there.
Vijaya in the body of Vikramadhithya returned to his town. As soon as he reached there he sent word to Bhatti to send a palanquin for him. This was very unusual of Vikramadhithya. Besides he had returned earlier than his usual six months. Bhatti suspected that all was not well. He sent word to the queens that possibly the man who had returned was not Vikramadhithya. The first thing Vijaya wanted to do was to go to the palaces of his queens. According to the advice of Vikramadhithya, they sent word that all of them were observing penance for 6 months and because of that, they will not be able to see him. Bhatti provided Vijaya with company of lot of dancing girls and he spent all his time in their company. Bhatti meanwhile started searching for Vikramadhithya.
Vikrama the parrot mean while by his greatness became the king of 1000 parrots. One day they were all flying in search of food and all of them were caught in the net spread by the hunter. Vikrama advised all of them top act as if they are dead. Then Vikrama told them that the hunter would take them out one by one and put on the floor. The first bird to fall on the ground should start counting from two from the next bird onwards. As and when it completes 1000, it should screech and all birds should fly away together. Unfortunately before he took the last bird which was Vikramadhithya, the knife of the hunter fell on the ground. Counting it as a bird all birds flew together. The hunter caught the Vikramadhithya bird and was about to kill him. Then Vikramadhithya bird told him, “I am a talking bird. Take me to the market and ask for 1000 gold coins. Someone will purchase me and you would become rich.
The hunter obeyed Vikramadhithya. But all people thought that 1000 gold coins is too steep a price. At that time the richest businessman of that town called Manikkam Chettiar came to purchase a birthday present to the market. He was attracted by the Vikramadhithya bird. When he made3 fun of the hunter for asking too much, Vikramadhithya bird told him, “Buy and take me to your shop and hang me there in a golden cage. From that time onwards I will manage all your business.” Manikkam chettiar felt that the bird was telling the truth and bought him and hung him in a golden cage in his shop, from that time onwards, his profit went up by hundred folds by the intelligent way the bird was handling the business. The people of the town thought that the bird was very intelligent and came in search of the bird to solve their problems. The bird was called as Neethi Vakya bird.
In that town there was a prostitute by the name of Roopasoundari. She was very pretty and greatly talented in the art of love. She used to charge 1000 gold coins to her clients who wanted spend a night with her. Besides the king and ministers, Manikkam Chettiar was also one I of her regular clients.
During that time two poor Brahmins called Appa Sastri and Suppa Sastri went to take bath in the river. \Appa Sastri told Suppa Sastri that he saw in his dream Roopa Soundari and made love with her. This was heard by one of the maids of Roopa Soundari. She went and told it to her mistress. Roopasoundari made a complaint u=in the court that Appa Sastri enjoyed her company in dream and was not paying her anything. When the judge could not take any decision, they all came to Neethi Vakya bird. Vikramadhithya told Roopa Soundari that what she was asking was unjust but when she insisted, he asked Manikkam Chettiar to bring one thousand gold coins and tie it on a top of a pillar. Then he asked people to get a big mirror and place it in such a way that the money’s image was reflected in the mirror. Once this was done he asked Roopasoundari to take the image of the money reflected in the mirror as charges for making love to her in the dream. All people agreed that it was the most proper judgment. They also laughed at Roopasoundari. She got enraged and told to the bird, “Within a week, I will get your head cut and cook you and eat you,” Vikramadhithya bird told her, “ Within a month , I will make you shave of your head, and with an ugly painted face , side on a donkey by the public road.”
When cage day Manikkam Chettiar went to Roopa Soundari, she told him, you can be with me today provided you bring that parrot and give it to me. “Because he was infatuated Manikkam chettiar brought the bird from his shop and gave it to her. Next day morning Roopa Soundari asked her to cook the bird and serve her after her visit to the temple. When the cook tried to take out Vikramadhithya from the caged, he slipped away from her hands and flew away. Realizing that her mistress will punish her, that maid bought a parrot from the market, cooked it and served it to Roopasoundari after she came back from the temple.
Meanwhile the Vikramadhithya bird started following Roopa Soundari wherever she went. It understood that the ambition of Roopa Soundari was to go to heaven with her physical body. For this she used to pray God daily. Next day the bird hid behind the God’s idol and told her, “Roopasoundari, we have decided to take you to heaven with this physical body. The devas are very bad people and would not allow you in side heaven when you are this pretty. So shave of your head, wear torn cloths and paint your body with red paint and coal and come to the temple riding on a donkey. I would then take you to my heaven.”He also told her to tell the king to invite all the kings of India to see her going to heaven with the physical body.
Next day Roopasoundari did all those things and came to the temple. The Vikramadhithya bird flew and sat on the top branches of a big banyan tree and told her, “Roopa Soundari, I have won.” This was witnessed by all kings and Bhatti who had come there out of curiosity. Vikramadhithya bird went to Bhatti and told about all the happenings. Bhatti returned to the town of Ujjaini with the bird.
That evening as per the words of Bhatti the queens of Vikramadhithya told Vijaya that they would discontinue their penance if the goat of the king kills their goat in a fight. In the fight, Vetala’s spirit entered the queen’s goat and killed the goat left by the king. Unable to bear defeat and due to his disappointment, Vijaya transmigrated his soul to the goat. Waiting for this Vikramadhithya left the body of the parrot and entered his body. Later the Vijaya goat was sacrificed in the Kali temple. After this Vikramadhithya lead a life of happiness.
The doll then told, “Oh king Bhoja, this is the greatness of Vikramadhithya who occupied this throne. If you think that you are equal to him, then you can definitely go up. Bhoja returned back that day without further climbing

The story of Sade Sathi Sani (Ezharai naatu sani) as told by seventh doll Eka Bhoga valli.

The story of Sade Sathi Sani (Ezharai naatu sani) as told by seventh doll Eka Bhoga valli.

Retold by
P.R.Ramachander
On the seventh day Bhoja raja after his morning duties again started climbing on to the throne of Vikramadhithya. He was stopped on the seventh step by Eka Bhoga valli doll. It told him that he does not have great qualities of the king Vikramadhithya and is not fit to occupy the throne. Then king Bhoja asked that doll, “Doll please tell me about the greatness of Vikramadhithya. The doll started telling the following story:-
When it was time once to go to his six month sojourn to forest, Vikrama entrusted the job of ruling the country to Bhatti and went to the temple of Durga. She told him, “Vikrama, Sade Sathi is going to start from today in your life. Lord Sani is coming to attack you. When you ask him w, why have you come, he will answer that he has come to rule over you for seven and half years. Then you tell him, “God if you attack me suddenly, I will not be able to bear it. Please tell me what I should do?” Then he will instruct you and you obey it in letter and spirit.” Then she gave him sacred ash as well as lime and sprinkled on him the holy water.
As soon as he left the temple, he saw in front of him a black god who was lame. He did as per the instructions of the Goddess. Then Sanaischara told him, “I would agree to your request. All these days you were ruling over the 56 great kings of India. So now you go to Madhurapuri and work under the king of that place called Madhurendra. You should work under him for seven and a half years and at the end be his assistant giving Betel leaf and nut to him for seven and half Nazhigai (three hours).”
Vikramadhithya agreed to do this gave him his ring and t requested the God to rule over his country for seven and half years. He called Bhatti and told him about everything and along with Vetala started towards Madhurapuri. While walking, in the forest he met an extremely ugly woman. Surprised by her ugliness, Vikrama asked Vetala about her., Vetala told him that she is one of the dancers in Indra’s court called Rathnamala. She had fallen in love with Vikramadhithya when he went to Indra’s court to judge a dancing competition. When she requested Indra to permit her to live with Vikramadhithya, he told her, “Vikrama has hundreds of wives who are much prettier than you. Vikrama will be suffering due to Sade sathi and at that time he will be living away from his wives. At that time you can go and live with him. But you take a very ugly form in the day time and your usual form at night.”
Then Vikrama requested her to show her real form and was charmed by it. He asked Vetala to stay guard and enjoyed that night with her under the banyan tree. Next day, he dressed himself as a servant and started along with her to Madhurapuri. On the way he went into a lake to take bath. At that time a serpent called Anantha and a frog called Jalandhar were engaged in fighting in the tank. The snake was about to eat the frog. To make it escape, Vikramadhithya cut some flesh from his thigh and threw it towards the snake. The snake left the frog and moved towards the piece of flesh. Then they both realized that the person who was so generous was a king Vikramadhithya. They told him, “we were both kings and once we insulted sage Narada. He gave a curse that we should become a snake and a frog. He also told us that when a man offers his own flesh, we have to understand that he is Vikramadhithya. We should then become slaves of Vikramadhithya for seven and half years. Later we would regain our usual forms.”
Vikrama accepted them as assistants and reached Madhurapuri. He went and met the king Madhurendra and told him, “Sir, My name is Adhithya, Having heard that you gave proper respect to pure valour, I have come here to offer my services to you.” When the king agreed to take him as servant and asked him what wage he expected, Vikramadhithya replied, “I expect a wage of one thousand gold coins daily as well a palatial house for my stay.” The king agreed.
Vikrama returned to the forest and took along with him Rathna Mala, Anantha and Jalandhara to his new home. Anantha and Jalandhara were requested to guard Rathna mala all the 24 hours. Anantha surrounded the house with his mouth near the main door and Jalandhra lay down like a cap over the house during night. During day time they took the normal human form. Rathna mala took her ugly form during day time and her usual form during night.
Vikramadhithya daily went to the court and helped the king in many ways. Karkodaga and Kodika who were two other servants of the king became very close to Vikrama. They started often coming and visiting Vikrama in his home. Once when they came along with Vikrama at night, they happened to see Rathna Mala in her real form. They then described her beauty to their king. The king wanted to see her. Then they asked the king to dress like Kodika and one night Karkodaga took him inside Vikrama’s home. As soon as the king saw Rathna Mala he was infatuated with her but he dare not do anything against Vikrama who appeared like a greatly valorous Warrior. When he consulted his minister about it, he advised, “The only way is to give a difficult job to Vikrama and remove him from here forever. About one hundred miles from here, there is a city called Vazhavandan. The king of that place has a daughter called Muthunagai (pearl laughter). Whenever she laughs, lots of pearls come out of her mouth. The king used to collect all that and sell it for a very heavy cost. Since a sage was attracted by the girl, he had put her in to his custody and also cursed the entire town. He has made her like a corpse and she is lying in his cave. Ask Adhithya to bring some of the pearls collected from her laughter. Adhithya as a sincere servant will try to do it but will be killed by the sage,”
The king thought that this is a very good idea and instructed Adhithya to bring the pearls from Vazhavandan. Vikrama(Adhithya asked for 40 days time, collected his wages for 40 days and went home and entrusted the job of guarding Rathna Mala to Anantha and Jalandhara. Vikrama after dressing himself like a king went along with Vetala and reached Vazhavandan. There he found that the entire town including the plants was dead due to the curse of the sage. On enquiry from Vikramadhithya, Vetala told, “The sage is very fearful that you will take the princess away. Whenever he goes out, he cuts off the head of the princess and keeps it in the courtyard. When he comes back, he joins the head and talks to her. He is doing a great fire sacrifice. Once it is over, he hopes to rule the entire world. He feels that at that time, he would get married to this Muthunagai.” On his further questioning him, Vetala told. There is a stick on the bed of the sage. From its joints oil oozes. If this oil is applied and the head joined it will join back.”
Vikrama then brought Muthunagai back to life. She enquired as to who he is. When he told he was Vikramadhithya, she laughed (some pearls fell) and told him. “The sage is scared of you. He always feels that you would come one day. I find it the will of God that you have come. But he is a very ferocious one. Please go away carrying me with you. “Vikrama told, “A real hero should not do like that. I want to save you and give life to your town. I will again cut your head and keep it in the usual place and hide. The sage will come and give you life as usual. You act as if you love him and by saucy talk know from him, how he can be killed and how your people can be revived.” Muthunagai agreed. When the sage came she acted as f she loved him. She told that she is afraid that someone will kill the sage. Then the sage told that he cannot be killed easily. She also said that she was sad that all people are her dead. Then the sage told, “Do not be silly. I can be killed only if my head is cut off with one sweep of the sword without one drop of blood spilling from it, and someone keeps playing with my body so that it does not fall on the ground or one drop of blood falls on the floor for three hours. Also your people can be revived easily. For that you have to catch the elephant roaming in the park and sacrifice in the temple. Then a pot will come out of the sacrificing seat. All you have to do it is to open the pot and sprinkle the water all over the town.”
Next day when Vikramadhithya gave her life she told him all this. Vetala gave the following idea, “The sage will come back after twilight. You hide after the second door. I would become a lizard and make sound when he enters the building. As soon he comes in to the second room, I would slam the first door. Then the sage would turn his head to see what happened. At that time, you can cut his head. I will drink all his blood and throw his head in sacrificial fire. You please hold his body erect for three hours.”
The plan was carried out perfectly and the sage was killed. Vikramadhithya hunted for the elephant, brought it to the temple and sacrificed it in the temple. With the pot of water that emerged, all the people were made alive. The king gave Muthunagai in marriage to Vikrama. When the marriage was celebrated Muthunagai laughed a lot and Vikrama collected lot of pearls. After 40 days, Vikrama returned with Muthunagai, entrusted her to Rathna Mala and went to the court. There he handed over the pearls to the king. King was surprised as well as disappointed.
Next day Karkodaga and Kodika came to Adhithya’s house. There, they saw to their surprise one more very pretty girl. They knew it was Muthunagai. They went and told about this to the king. The king again became lovelorn and sent for the minister. When asked for a trick to remove Vikrama forever, the minister told, “There is another way. Beyond the seven seas, there is an island called Nagaloka. There is a town called Nagapuri in that island which is ruled by Nagendra. He has a daughter called Nagakanyaka. If she laughs Naga rathna would fall. You ask him to bring these gems. He would not be able to cross the seven seas and even if he does will not be able to go to Nagapura which is surrounded by poisonous fumes on all sides.”
The king sent word for Adhithya and told him that he needed some Naga gems to decorate his crown and asked him to bring it. Adhithya then asked for 60 days time, got the wages in advance for 60 days and told his wives as well as his servants, “There is something is fishy in this request. But as a servant it is my job to obey how I do cross the seven seas.” Anantha told, “Why worry about it? You go to the shore of the sea and think about Jalandhara. He would come there and carry you in his back and leave you on the other side of the seven seas.” Rathna mala told him not to worry and by her magical powers transformed Muthu Nagai in to a doll and kept it in a corner. Vikramadhithya assured all of them that he would return within 60 days and started on his journey along with Vetala. He was transported to a town called Achyutha Nagar Naga Loka by Jalandhara. When he was walking in that place, he saw one old lady crying. , When he enquired she told, “The king of this place has four daughters. The eldest is Achyutha girl. Whomsoever she marries dies on that night. So the king is making all eligible boys of the town marry her. Today it is the turn of my only son. That is why I am crying.” Vikrama requested her to send him instead of her son. Reluctantly she agreed. In the evening all new cloths for the bride groom came from the palace. Vikrama dressed himself in the finery and went to the palace. His marriage with Achyutha girl was celebrated and he along with her was left alone in their bed room. After some time, the girl claimed she was sleepy and went to sleep. Then Vikrama asked the Vetala about the reason .Vetala told him, “The prince of Nagapuri is in love with her. He daily comes to her room through a tunnel in the local temple. As soon he reaches the temple the princess will faint. Then he will come here kill her husband, stare at her for some time and go away. I would take the form of a groom and lie down next to Achyutha girl. Even if he bites me nothing will happen to me. At that time using the magical sword given by Durga, you cut off the tip of his tail. Ashamed, he would run away. We should not kill him, because we are going in search of his sister.”
All the things happened as planned. After the Naga prince ran away, Vikrama awakened his new wife Achyutha girl and enjoyed the night with her. Next day when the corpse bearers came to carry away the corpse of the new groom, they were surprised to see him alive, the king came and met him and Vikramadhithya told who he is and what was ailing the princess. The king also gave the other three sisters of Achyutha girl to him in marriage. Vikrama spent a few days with his four new wives. Then remembering the purpose of his visit, he remembered Anantha who was his servant. Anantha told him, “No human being can go to Naga puri because it is surrounded by poisonous fumes. I would go, meet the king Nagendra and ask the hand of his daughter for marriage with you. He would be elated and withdraw the poisonous fumes so that you can go there,” The things happened as planned and Nagendra gave his daughter Nagakanyaka as wife to Vikramadhithya. Vikramadhithya on his way back collected his other four wives from Achyuthapuri and arrived back to his home. He asked Rathna mala to get food cooked and serve to all of them. Nagakanyaka could not tolerate eating food from such an ugly person. Then Rathna mala as per request of Vikramadhithya took her very pretty form. All of them became happy.
Vikrama went with the Naga gems to his master and gave them. That night again Karkodaga and Kodika saw all the wives of Adhithya (Vikramadhithya), when they visited his house. When they went and told about it, king Madhurendra wanted to immediately see all the ladies. While they were trying to enter the house, all of them were touched by the poison of Anantha and fell down. When Anantha came and told about this, though he Vikrama became angry he excused them and asked Anantha to remove the poison.
When next day Madhurendra told his need to marry all those girls, his minister told, “Let us take Adhithya to the mercury well which is very deep and full of poisonous fumes. When you are there you drop the ring in to the well and order Adhithya to recover it and come away. “As per this suggestion all of them went to the mercury well. But Vikrama suspected something would happen and asked Jalandhara to hide near the top of the well. When the king dropped the ring, Jalandhara caught the ring and immediately gave it to Vikrama. When the king ordered Adhithya to recover the ring and marched out, Vikrama followed him and gave the ring. The king and others were terribly surprised.
Next day While Adhithya (Vikrama) was in the court an old man came and called him. When Adhithya went with him ignoring the king, the king and others followed them. The old man was Saturn god himself. After some time he told Vikramadhithya who took his usual form, “Your seven and half year Saturn period is over. I am very angry with Madhurendra for troubling you like this. I am going to curse them.” Vikrama requested God Saturn not to punish the king and pardon him. Madhurendra realizing that his servant Adhithya was the King Vikramadhithya himself went and fell at his feet and asked for his pardon. Vikrama pardoned him. Then retaining Rathna malai Vikrama gave all the other 6 wives to Madhurendra and returned to his place. Anantha and Jalandhara got rid of their curse and assumed their own form. But Rathna mala was summoned by Indra and she vanished. When she reached his place, Indra hid Rathna Mala in a very deep and dark cave. Vikrama went to Indra loka and found her out. All the dancing girls of Indra’s court fell in love with Vikrama and also came along with him. Realizing that Indra’s court will be bare without these dancing girls, the sages of Indra’s court, met Vikrama on his way back and requested Vikrama for the dancing girls . He gave all the dancing girls except Rant Mala and went back to his town.
The doll then told, “Oh king Bhoja, this is the greatness of Vikramadhithya who occupied this throne. If you think that you are equal to him, then you can definitely go up. Bhoja returned back that day without further climbing

The story of Dhana Amaravathi as told by sixth doll Mohana valli.

The story of Dhana Amaravathi as told by sixth doll Mohana valli.

Retold by
P.R.Ramachander
On the sixth day Bhoja raja after his morning duties again started climbing on to the throne of Vikramadhithya. He was stopped on the sixth step by Mohanavalli doll. It told him that he does not have great qualities of the king Vikramadhithya and is not fit to occupy the throne. Then king Bhoja asked that doll, “Doll please tell me about the greatness of Vikramadhithya. The doll started telling the following story:-
Once during the six month period to be spent in forest, King Vikramadhithya started to the forest along with his minister and brother Bhatti and Vetala. He crossed several countries and islands and reached a place with a pretty pond and an equally pretty garden. They reached for the shade of a tree and Vikramadhithya was lying down with his head on the lap of Bhatti. At that time a very pretty girl came to take bath in the pond. She was charmed by the health and handsomeness of Vikramadhithya. After bath when she was returning along with her friends she smiled at him. Then she took a jasmine flower, pressed it against her chest, lifted it up to the sky and put it on her feet. Then she made a mound out of sand, kept a piece of broken pot on it and cut off one lock of her hair and kept it on it,. Then she smiled at Vikramadhithya and showed him a sign that she loved him and went away.
Vikramadhithya asked Bhatti about the purport of her actions. After a long thought Bhatti told him, “She indicated that she has attained maturity (Pushpavathi) and by her signs told you that her name is Dhana Amaravathi. Because she put the flower on her feet, she indicated that her place of residence is Kalingapuram (Kal indicates leg in Tamil). Since she kept a lock of hair on the mound of sand she indicated that her father’s name is Kesa Manikkam Chetti and just before her house there is a tiled house. By her eyes she told you to follow her.”
Vikramadhithya who had fallen in love wanted to somehow marry her. So Bhatti and Vikramadhithya dressed themselves as Brahmins and went to Kalingapuram. Seeing that they were Brahmins, Kesa Manikkam Chettiar asked them who they were and in what way he can help them. Then they said, “On our way to here, we were all taking bath in a tank. There was a huge crowd and our women who came with us went missing. Searching for them we reached your town. For the past three days we have not taken any food. Then when we enquired who would help us by providing food for us, the people indicated you. Please give us material s for cooking so that we can cook our own food and eat it.”
Kesa Manikkam chettiar immediately sent them to his wife and daughter so that they can provide them with all necessary items. Dhana Amaravathy recognized Vikramadhitya and along with the food, she gave them two pieces of sugarcane along with the sweet.
Bhatti told Vikramadhithya that she had asked them to go and meet a dancing girl called Karimbiniyal (Karambu-sugarcane, Iniyathu-sweet.)
Accordingly they went and met Karimbiliniyal and she told them, “The father of Amaravathi is a very strict person. When she was five, he had celebrated engagement for marriage with his sister’s son. According their caste customs, that boy has gone for business in different foreign countries by ship. At that time Amaravathi had not matured and so the marriage was not celebrated. It is now five years after that boy went for business. Her father feels that she has to wait till he comes back.”
Hearing this both of them stated from there. Bhatti dressed himself like a Chettiar (businessman) and Vikramadhithya dressed himself like a girl. Then both of them approached Kesa Manikkam chettiar and introduced themselves as people belonging to his caste. Bhatti told him, I had celebrated engagement of my daughter when she was wife. Her would be husband has gone on a trip. Meanwhile my wife died. I want to search for my son in law and celebrate the marriage. But going for a search involving long travel cannot be done along with my daughter. Can you please keep her in your house till I come back? “ Kesa manikkam chettiar agreed gladly and entrusted Vikradhithya dressed as a girl to his daughter. He told her, “The story of this girl is exactly like yours. Console her and look after her as a good friend.”
Dhana Amaravathi spent the day time in the normal fashion playing like girls and night time as husband and wife. Bhatti who was attracted by Karimibiliniyal spent his time with her.
During this time that king of that town riding on an elephant through the town happened to see both of them behaving intimately like husband and wife. He guessed that something was wrong. He sent word to Kesa Manikkam chettiar and told , “ I want to marry Amaravathy. “ Kesa Manikkam chettair told that in his family the girl is given to one in their own caste and also his daughter was betrothed. As soon as he heard this the king told Chettiar, “In your caste is it proper for girls to have a secret lover? I have seen her today with her secret lover dressed like a female.” Chettiar replied that his daughter was virtuous. The king said to him, “Oh , is it so? Within a week I will catch hold of your daughter and her secret lover and produce them before you.” Then the king ordered all his police people as well as spies to spy on Amaravathi and catch hold of her along with her secret lover.
This news fell in the ears of Karimbiliniyal and she told it to her lover Bhatti. During this time , it was summer. So one day , Amaravathi and Vikramadhithya came out during night and were making love in the garden. At that time the spies of the king caught hold of them. They bundled them took them to the Kali temple and were waiting to show them to the king in the morning. At that time the lizard made evil sound in the house of Karimbiliniyal. She understood that there was some problem with her friend. Karimbiliniyal went to the priest and gave him one hundred gold coins and dressed herself like a priest and Bhatti dressed himself like a sage. In the early morning when they went to the temple the spies could not stop them. Once inside, Amaravathi dressed herself like the priest and Vikramadhithya like a sage. They came out after some time and went to their home. In the Morning , the police took Karimbiliniyal and Bhatti bundled up in a cloth in front of the king. The king called all his ministers as well as the father of Amaravathi. When they opened the cloth bundle the king was aghast to see Karimbiniyal with another male. She told the king, “As a dancing girl and a prostitute , it is my job to be with lovers. Why have your people arrested me?” The king asked her pardon . He also asked the pardon of the Chettiar .
Amaravathi and Vikramadhithya were enjoying life as before. At this time the betrothed one of Amaravathi returned . To avoid suspicion, Amaravathi and Vikramadhithya slept in separate rooms. But during day time when the betrothed of Amaravathi was talking to her, Vikrama used to go often there and throw a mischievous glance at the betrothed one of Amaravathi.
One night Vikramadhithya cast the Mohini spell on the betrothed of Amaravathi. That boy fell in love with Vikramadhithya, Vikramadhithya also acted as if he was in love with the boy and asked him to meet her secretly at night. Vikramadhithya cut the nose of the betrothed with the knife used to cut betel nut. Feeling that once this is known his respectability would be gone , he ran away from that city without telling anybody. Vikrama told Amaravathi, that he will go away from the palace to the house where his friend lives. He further requested Amaravathy to tell her father that her betrothed had eloped with her friend. Amaravathi did like that. Chettiar became very worried and searched for the betrothed of Amaravathi as well as the girl. He could not find both of them. At this time Bhatti came back , with Vikrama dressed like a chettiar youth and demanded for his daughter. When Chettiar told about the happenings , Vikrama told, Hey Chettiar you have sold my wife. I am going to kill all of you.” Fearing for his life and as per the advice of elders of his community , Kesa Manikkam Chettiar gave his daughter Amaravathi in marriage to Vikramadhithya.
Vikramadhithya returned home with his new wife.
The doll then told, “Oh king Bhoja, this is the greatness of Vikramadhithya who occupied this throne. If you think that you are equal to him, then you can definitely go up. Bhoja returned back that day without further climbing.

The story of Dhanapathi, Gunapathi and Pesa Madanthai as told by fifth doll Manthra manonmani.

The story of Dhanapathi, Gunapathi and Pesa Madanthai as told by fifth doll Manthra manonmani.

Retold by
P.R.Ramachander
On the fifth day Bhoja raja after his morning duties again started climbing on to the throne of Vikramadhithya. He was stopped on the fifth step by Manthra manonmani doll. It told him that he does not have great qualities of the king Vikramadhithya and is not fit to occupy the throne. Then king Bhoja asked that doll, “Doll please tell me about the greatness of Vikramadhithya. The doll started telling the following story.
After the usual sojourn of his six months rule, Once Vikaramadhithya and Bhatti started towards the six month period in the forest. While they were walking through a dense forest path they saw a way two paths were going from there. In the sign board, It was written that”the southern path leads to the town of Azhaka puri ruled by Azhakesan. In that town there are two court girls called Dhanapathi and Gunapathi. They sit with equal status like the king in the court. Before their houses there is a calling bell. Men who want to spend a night with them should ring the bell and pay 1000 gold coins. The way to the north leads to Veemapuri. There in a fort which has seven gates, the queen Amrithamohini guards her daughter Pesamadanthai (he girl who does not speak). Several kings who wanted to marry Pesamadanthai by making her speak three words have been driven away after insulting them. If two people come here they should not take the same path.”
This board attracted the attention of Vikramadhithya. He requested Bhatti to go to Veemapuri and find everything about Pesamadanthai and he himself will go to Azhakapuri and find out about Dhanapathi and Gunapathi. Vikramadhithya converted himself to look like a very old sage and went to Azhaka puri. First he went to the house of Dhanapathi and rang the calling bell. When Dhanapathi’s servants came out, they offered alms to Vikramadhithya. But he refused alms and told them that he has come with the 1000 gold coins and wanted to spend his time with Dhanapathi. When her servants told about this Dhanapathi got very angry at such a weak old man trying for her favors and drove him out. Then Vikramadhithya went to the house of Gunapathi and did the same thing. When her servants informed about a very old holy man at her door, she herself came out, washed the feet of Vikramadhithya and took him in. That same night Dhanapathi also took a rich lover.
Next day when the court assembled, Dhanapathi informed the king that she is married to a merchant and invited the king and cabinet to a feast next day. The feast was a grand affair. Her house was decorated and she had arranged for a 25 course food for the 25 guests. King became very happy and congratulated her . Dhanapathi announced that she was great and her husband is like a fakir like Gunapathi’s husband. When the news reached Gunapathi she became very sad. Vikrama seeing her sad asked for the reason. She then related all the happenings of the previous day. Then Vikrama asked her to invite the king along with his army as well as cabinet for a feast next day. Gunapathi, though not very confidant invited the king, his cabinet and army for a feast in her house. The king who knew how poor Gunapathi is and tried to dissuade her. But she said that her husband will manage. Next day Vikrama with the help of Vetala arranged a 100 course dinner for the more than 500 guests. Many of the guests had never even heard such great dishes. King greatly appreciated Ganapathi.
Next day Dhanapathi came to the court and said that her husband would go to Veemapuri and get married to Pesamadanthai. She challenged the fakir husband of Gunapathi also to send her husband to Veemapuri. The merchant husband went to Veemapuri, paid 1000 gold coins and entered the fort of Pesa Madanthai. As soon as he entered he was offered food. And when he tried to enter in side, he was caught hold of, by a few dolls and his head was completely shaved and he was pushed out. The merchant came back like this to Azhagapuri. Vikrama then started to Veemapuri.
There he met Bhatti who was living as a lodger with an old woman. When Vikrama and Bhatti asked the old woman about Pesa Madanthai she told “There are ten gates to the fort of Pesamadanthai. In the first gate you would be given food. In the next gate there are some dolls which will catch and push you out. If you can cross this gate, you would be thrown before two great wrestlers. They will beat you and push you out. If you survive this gate, you would enter the place of Jumping Gorilla. If you survive the Gorilla, in the next gate you have to face a lion. Suppose you win over the lion, you would reach the gate of an elephant. If you manage to win the elephant, the next gate would lead to a well spread everywhere. Once you cross the well, there would be a huge slushy canal. You have to enter cross it, clean your feet with the water in the cup containing two spoons full of water seeing to it that you leave one spoonful of water in the cup. Then the next gate would lead you to very slippery hall of crystal. You have to cross it without falling down. Next gate would lead you a dark thousand pillared hall. You have to cross it without hitting any pillar. Once you cross it, you have to recognize the head and foot of a cot and also recognize Pesa Madanthai. Once you recognize her, by day break you have to make her talk three times. If you do all this, she would marry you. However I advice you, not to try this and go elsewhere and marry another girl.”
Next day Vikrama and Bhatti , took two sons of the old woman and entered the fort of Pesa Madanthai . Bhatti as usual vanished and was moving with Vetala. Vikrama was first served with several cooked and non cooked food,. He ate all the cooked food and took with him Banana fruit, a piece of uncooked meat, sugarcane and a lime fruit with him. The sons of the old woman were accompanying Vikrama. When the first gate came Vikrama pushed one of them towards the dolls. In the next gate he pushed the other son to the wrestlers and entered the room of Gorilla Vikrama offered the Banana fruit to the Gorilla. When it did not even touch it , he understood that it was only a doll and got it destroyed by Vetala, in the next room, he offered raw meat to the lion. When it did not touch it, he understood that it was not a real lion and got it destroyed by the Vetala. In the next room, he offered sugarcane to the elephant and when it did not touch it, got the elephant destroyed by the Vetala.
The next room was completely occupied by a well. There was very big granite stone by its side. Vikramadhithya managed to roll the stone inside the well. As soon as it went to the bottom, two planks came and covered the well. He easily crossed the well. Then there was the slushy canal. He walked over the canal. There was a piece of Palmyra leaf and two spoons full of water kept there. By using the Palmyra leaf , he cleaned his and by dipping his hankie in the water , he cleaned all the mud perfectly. More than half the water remained in the cup. Next was the crystal slippery hall. Vikrama asked Vetala to bring wax as well as a fire. He melted the wax and applied on his feet and walked over the hall. Because of this he did not slip and fall. The last one was the dark 1000 pillared hall. Bhatti climbed on the Vetala and went through the hall making sound like a bee. Vikrama followed him easily. Then they reached the palace of Pesamadanthai. In the entrance a cot was kept. Vikrama placed the lime fruit in the middle of the cot. He identified as the place to keep his leg by the rolling of the lime fruit.
Near the cot one thousand pretty lady assistants were sleeping as they expected no body. Bhatti and Vetala tied the hairs of the assistants with each other and Bhatti who was invisible woke one of them up by pinching on her thigh. When she got up there was a big furor as they all kept falling. Vikrama told them to go and inform Pesa Madanthai about his arrival. Pesamadanthai and her mother were feeling bad because their regular source of income would dry up. They dressed one assistant called Deepa Nayaki who used to light oil lamps in the palace in a great way and send her accompanied by 1000 friends. Each of them was holding a lamp. Vikrama asked Vetala whether it was Pesa Madanthai. He enquired with Vetala. Vetala told that he would draw the wick of Deepa Nayaki’s lamp in side. If she lengthens the wick and cleans it using a towel , she would be Pesamadanthai. Suppose she cleans it on her hair , she would be an assistant. When Deepa Nayaki cleaned her finger on her hair, Vikramadhithya chided her for trying to deceive him and asked her to go back and send her mistress. He also told her to request her mistress to serve him food as he was hungry.
Then Pesamadanthai dressed her serving assistant Sampravalli and sent her along with 1000 assistants carrying sumptuous food. When Vetala was consulted he told that he will make the cup of ghee fall down while serving from the hands of the lady. Suppose she orders for a new cup of ghee to be brought, then she is Pesamadanthai , but if she takes back the ghee from the floor , she is a serving assistant. When Sambramavalli started taking back the spilled ghee back in to the cup, Vikramadhithya shouted at her and asked her to send her mistress Pesa Madanthai.
Understanding that this type of tricks won’t work, Pesa Madanthai herself came and sat behind a thick screen. Her friends told Vikramadhithya that he has to make her speak thrice during the night. If he is not able to do it, he would be thrown out.
After a few minutes Vetala entered the screen in between them and Vikramadhithya started speaking to the screen, “Oh screen, it is very boring to sit here as I am not able to see your mistress. Can you tell me a story to while away my time.”
The screen replied, “ Shall I tell the story of my sufferings or some other entertaining story?”
Vikrama asked the screen to tell both stories.
The screen told, “Someone planted cotton seeds in his fiend. From that plants grew. Eventually the plants flowered and produced cotton. Some spinner harvested all that cotton and spin cotton thread out of it. Someone collected all the thread and wove me in to a cloth. This princess purchased me from the weaver and has tied me on all sides so that you cannot see her. With me tied on all sides how can I tell a story to you.”
Hearing this small story Pesa Madanthai asked her friends to untie the screen . Now Vikramadhithya was able to see her and he told the curtain, “the graceful princess has untied you. Now please tell the story.”
The curtain told the story as follows:-
There was a great king called Manmatha vassekara in the country called Mandhakini pura. He had a minister called Mangalakara. Madanamohana the son of the king and Thanthralola the son of the minister were great friends. Once the prince and minister’s son went for hunting in a deep forest. Deep inside the forest both of them became very thirsty. Their search lead them to a lake , banyan tree and a temple. They drank water and took rest in the shade of the tree. While the prince slept, the minister’s son did not get sleep. He wanted to see inside the temple. There he saw statue of an extremely pretty girl on the northern side of the temple.. He knew that if the prince sees the statue , he will fall in love with it. He returned back to the shade of the tree. By that time the prince had also woken up. He also wanted to see the temple. The minister’s son warned him not to go the northern side of the temple. The prince went directly to the northern side and as soon as he saw the statue of the girl and immediately fell in love with the statue. He sat behind the statue and started begging the statue to give some flowers. The minister’s son understood that the prince will not come away unless the statue gives him some flowers.
The minister’s son was perplexed as to what is to be done. At that time the temple priest came there. On enquiry as to whose the statue is or who made the statue, the priest told, “I do not know whose statue this is but this was made by Kodandam the sculptor who lives in a village called Koodal which is 20 miles from here.”
Then the minister’s son gave the priest sufficient money to look after his friend and started in search of Kodandam. When he requested Kodandam to tell him whose statue it is , he told, “a few months back I had gone to a forest temple which is about 100 miles from here. At that time a potter called Perumal showed me a gem like thing and asked me to purchase it from him. I did. But when I came back I found out that it was not a gem but a nail of a lady. Using the science of portrait I sculpted the statue of the girl, whose nail, it must have been.”
Then the son of the minister went in search of Perumal. Perumal told him, “ One day I was selling pots in a village, a hunter called Karkodaga bought pots from me and gave me this and told me it as a gem. But later when I examined it, I understood that it is only a nail. I did deceive Kodandam the sculptor.”
Thanthralola started in search of Karkodagan. He told, “Sir , one day when I could not get any animal after hard work, I went and slept below a banyan tree in the forest. When I woke up t night, I saw smoothing shining. I thought it was a gem and brought it home. Later only I came to know that it is only a nail. I did deceive Perumal the potter.”
Thanthralola went to the forest and slept below the banyan tree, perplexed as to what he should do further. At night 1000 birds came and sat on the tree. They asked, “Oh man, why are in this very dangerous place.?”
When Thanthralola explained his mission, one bird among the 1000 told, “ Once when we had gone hunting food beyond the seven seas, all of us got good food. When I was returning with the food in my beak, one princess was standing on the terrace of her palace and combing her hair. At that time this nail fell down near her. I thought that is a costly gem from her brooch and left the food and brought it here. Next day only I came to know that it is a nail.”
Then Thanthralola asked them, “ Unlike you I cannot fly. Tell me a trick for me to go to Mallikapura.”
The king of the birds told him, “ Ten miles away from here there is a sacred tree. On the tree two Andaberanda birds live with their family. If they help you, you can definitely reach Mallikapura.”
Thahthralola thanked them and reached the sacred tree in the forest. At the time when he went , the little ones of the Andaberanda birds were about to be eaten by a big cobra. Thanthralola killed the snake and saved the little birds. When their parents came , the little birds told their parents how Thanthralola helped them . When Thanthralola told them about why he wanted to go Mallikapura, they agreed to take him there. Thanthralola entrusted his horse with a farmer in a nearby village. Then he caught hold of the neck of the male bird. On the way they were passing through an island full of precious gems. Thanthralola requested the birds to stop a while in that island. He carried as much precious gems as possible from there. The birds left him in Mallikapura and gave him a piece of their wing. They told him, if he shows lighted camphor to that wing, they will come and take him back.
Next day Thanthralola approached the gem shops in that town with his collection of gems. They were terribly surprised for they have never seen such costly gems in their life. At that time the richest person of Mallikapura whose name was Navakoti Narayana Chettiar came that way. When he enquires as to who he was Thahthralola told that he was the son of Sathakoti Raman chetti of Mandhakini pura. Impressed by him and also knowing that he belonged to his caste , Nava Koti Narayanan chettiar took him to his home and requested him to live with them. He introduced his daughter “Sahithya sarasa sallabha Ullasa Rukhmani” to Thanthralola. As soon as he saw her nails Thanthralola understood that she was the one whom he was searching. She also instantly fell in love with him. Understanding that, he started courting her. As soon as he became very close to him, he told her about his friend who was the prince who was pining away for her. She agreed to come with him. Then summoning the Andaperanda birds, he reached back the banyan tree where they lived. From there he took her on his horse and reached the forest temple where his friend was still requesting for flower from the statue. Next day Rugmani dressed herself well and gave the flower to the prince . When the prince returned to normal he was very happy to see Rugmani and asked her where his friend Thanthralola was. Thanthralola who wanted to test the friendship of prince to him , had told her to tell him that on the way he had died. When Rugmani told like this, the prince took out his sword and committed suicide. Seeing this Rugmani also committed suicide. Seeing that both of them are no more , Thanthralola also committed suicide. The priest who was a witness to all this also committed suicide , .
Next day when the devotees came they prayed to the Goddess who gave back life to all the four of them. Rugmani was married to the prince and they lived happily ever after.
The screen asked Vikramadhithya, “Four people committed suicide in this story. Whose sacrifice was greatest?
Vikramadhithya with an intention of making Pesa Madanthai talk replied “Ofcourse , the sacrifice Thanthralola is the greatest.”
Pesa madanthai unable to bear this replied, “The prince died because , Thanthralola was his friend. Rugmani died because she loved the prince. Thanthralola died because of his love towards the prince. But the priest who did not have anything to do with any of these people died because he was sad that these people died. His sacrifice is indeed the greatest.”
Vikramadhithya replied, Thank you Pesa madanthai for talking the first time.
Realizing her mistake , Pesa madanthai decided to be doubly careful and kept silent.
Seeing the situation, Vikramadhithya asked Vetala to enter the blouse which was worn by Pesa madanthai.
Then he addressed the blouse as follows, “Oh pretty blouse who is hiding the prettiness of your mistress. I have to spend lot of time. Can you tell me a story?”
The blouse replied, “Dear Sir, how can I do it. My mistress has worn me so tightly that I am not even able to breathe. “
As soon she heard it, Pesa madanthai removed her blouse , threw it in front of Vikramadhithya and covered herself with a shawl.
Then the Blouse of Pesa madanthai started telling the following story:-
A king called Veera verma was ruling over a kingdom called Ranganathapura. He had a very pretty daughter called Mohanangi. His minister had a very handsome son called Mathivallabha. Mohanangi and Mathivallaha fell in love but they both knew that their love cannot be fulfilled. Toiling with emotions Mohanangi once send word to Mathivallabha to meet her after midnight in her private room. When he came both of them knew that they cannot live with each other. So they married according to Gandharwa tradition and started living like husband and wife during nights. After some time Mohanangi became pregnant. Realizing that the king will kill them both , they decided to run away from home. After wandering a lot they reached a town called Godavari Pattanam. The time for delivery came and Mohanangi requested Mathivallabha to bring a suitable mid wife. Searching for a suitable mid wife, Mathivallabha reached the house of a prostitute called Sundari. She fell in love with Mathivallabha. Being an expert on black magic, , she converted Mathivallabha in to a buffalo. Whenever she felt like making love, she used to convert him in to a man.
Meanwhile Mohanangi delivered a child and with the child reached the king Dharamangadha of Godavari Pattanam. She told him about the missing husband. The king entrusted the job of searching Mathivallabha to his minister. In spite of his best efforts the minister could not find Mathivallabha. Dejected Mohanangi decided to commit suicide by jumping in to fire. Though the king tried to dissuade her , he was not able to. So public announcement was made a big pit of fire was made. Among the people who had come to see this suicide was Sundari and Mathivallabha,
Mohanangi jumped in to the fire along with her baby. Seeing this Mathivallabha who recognized her also jumped in the fire. Seeing this Sundari , the prostitute also jumped in to the fire. Seeing this, the minister felt guilty of all these happenings and also jumped in the fire. The king then went to the temple and was about to commit suicide before the Goddess. She came before him and hearing his entireties brought back to life all the people who had jumped in the fire. Sundari lived a chaste life then onwards. Mathivallabha was given the job of minister’s assistant and lived happily with Mohanangi.
Now the blouse of Pesa madanthai asked” Out of the so many people who died jumping in the fire, whose suicide is greatest.”
Vikramadhithya replied :Ofcourse , it is the suicide of Sundari , the prostitute.”
Hearing this Pesa madanthai was agitated and told, “Not at all. Mohanangi , Mathivallabha and Sundari died because of their love. But the minister died because he felt that he could not serve the cause of justice. So his death only is the greatest.
Vikramadhithya told, “I agree with you and wish to point out to you that you have spoken the second time. Pesa madanthai realized her mistake and decided not to talk anything come what may and sat in her seat,
Then Vikramadhithya started talking to the shawl., “Hey Shaw l will you not entertain me by telling me a good story,”
The shawl replied, “How can I because , I am tied tightly around her body by this girl.”
As soon as she heard this Pesa madanthai threw the shawl on the floor. It started telling the following story.
There was a town called Kundala puri. It was ruled by a king called Koyilaverma. He had a minister called Kolakalan. In the nearby town of Madakipura there was thief called Great thief. He had four sons, Quarter thief, Half Thief, Three fourth thief and full thief. Great thief taught his sons all that he knew about thieving. When great thief became old, he wanted to test the capacity of his sons. So he called Quarter thief and told him, “Son I want to know your capacity in thieving today. So go to Kundala puri and show your capacity. Quarter thief agreed and went to Kundala puri. On the way he shaped several stones similar in size and shape to gold coins and entered Kundala puri. In the town he went to a Barber’s shop. Those days Barbers used to charge 5 paisa for shaving. The Barber was already working on a poor man. Quarter thief told him, “Barber sir, I am in a hurry. If you shave me well and make me up to look nicely I would give one rupee(100 Paisa). The Barber asked the poor man get up from his seat and did a nice job on the Quarter thief. Then Quarter thief told him, “I have only gold coins .Can you give me change after taking your one rupee?”. The barber said that he has never even seen a gold coin in his life and sent his son along with Quarter thief so that Quarter thief can change his gold coin and sent back the one rupee . “ Quarter thief agreed. He went to a very big cloth shop along with the boy. He told the owner, “ I seem to like all cloths here. I am not sure , which will be liked by my wife. So permit me to leave the bag of gold coins as well as my son and take 100 silk Saris. I would return within half an hour. “ The cloth merchant agreed as he was convinced that Quarter thief was a lord.
Quarter thief took those 100 saris and gave them to his father.
After some time when Quarter thief did not come , the cloth merchant enquired with a barber’s boy about the whereabouts of his father. When he told that his father was only a barber, the merchant opened the so called bag of gold coins. He was shocked to find that it contained only stones. So he dragged the Barber’s boy to the king. The barber also joined him. The king was shocked by the cleverness of the thief. So he called his Inspector general and told him to make all efforts to catch the thief next day.
Next day Great thief called Half thief and prove to him his capacity. Half thief came to Kundala Puri and enquired about the news of the town. People told him that the Inspector general was going to catch the thief that day. On enquiry about the Inspector general they told him, that he had only one daughter. When she was a baby she was married to another child. At that time the child and his parents had gone out . They had not come back. So the Inspector General and his family were very sad.
Half thief bought lot of presents for the Inspector general and his wife as well as his daughter and went to their house. Then he acted as if he was their long lost son in law. He gave them all the presents . They were very happy. At that time the inspector general told that he has to catch the thief who was troubling the town. Half thief also wanted to see the town. So he went along with the inspector general. On the way the Inspector General showed him an automatic jail. He told that as soon as he catches the thief he will put him in the jail and shut the door. It would get locked and to open it he has to bring the key from his house. Half thief wanted to see it for himself. He told the Inspector General to shut him inside the jail , so that he can later get it opened using the key in his house. The inspector general did not want to put his son in law in jail. So he himself entered the jail and got himself locked there. He then requested his son in law(Half thief) to go to his home and bring the key. Half thief went to the house of the Inspector General and told “Aunty, father in law suspects that the thief will come to our home. So pack all costly jewels and cloths and give it to me, so that I can take them to the police station. “ They did like that. Half thief went along with all those costly jewels and gave them to his father,. Great thief appreciated Half thief greatly.
Next day people of the town found their Inspector General in jail with his house being completely robbed. The king got very angry and ordered Kolahala his minister to catch the thief next day.
Next day Great thief called his son Three fourth thief and prove his capacity.
Three fourth thief came to the town and enquired about news of the town. He was told about the great robberies of the two previous days and was also told that Kolahala their minister himself would be catching the thief that day. On enquiry , Three fourth thief came to understand that Kolahala visited a rich prostitute of the town daily at mid night. Three fourth thief went to a makeup material shop and dressed himself like Kolahala and went to the home of the prostitute around 9 Pm. She was surprised that Kolahala has come so early. Three fourth thief told her that the real thief would come to her house at mid night dressed like the minister. He got thick rope and cotton from the prostitute and was waiting near the main door. Kolahala did come at midnight. Three fourth thief caught him, stuffed his mouth with cotton and tied him to pillar. Then he went to the kitchen and emptied all water pots. He then approached the prostitute and said, “The job was more difficult than I imagined. Now I have done it. When he ran through the kitchen all water pots feel down and got emptied. But I am feeling now very thirsty. Can you give me water?”
The prostitute took Three fourth thief to the well in the garden. Three fourth thief tied her to the post on the well , came back and took away all treasures to his home. Great thief was greatly glad about his second son.
Next day the people of the town were surprised to find their minister tied up in a prostitute’s house. The king got very angry and promised the people that he would himself catch the thief next day along with lot of soldiers.
Next day great thief , called his first son full thief and detailed to him about the great robberies done by his brothers. He asked him to show his class. Full thief agreed and went to the same town. He again came to know that the king himself was going to catch the thief that day. He dressed like a poor village and set up a shop selling food articles as well as alcoholic drinks in the forest adjoining the town. He also kept a map there. The king who was inspecting the town felt that a lap in the forest was suspicious and came there to enquire about it. The Full thief told, “Sir, I am a poor man who sells these things to the thief. For the last three days , he has been coming daily. “. The king requested for his help. Full thief agreed. He then requested the king to send away his soldiers so that the thief would come without any suspicion. The king sent them away and told them that as soon they hear his whistle they should come to this place immediately. After some time the Full thief told the king that , the thief was not coming because of the presence of the king. He advised him, “Sir, remove your royal dresses and get in to his gunny bag which I would lightly tie. Then seeing only me here, the thief will definitely come. As soon as the king got in to the gunny bag , Full thief tied it tightly, put on the royal dress and blew the whistle., When the soldiers came he asked them to take the thief inside the Gunny bag to the jail. He then rode on the king’s horse to his home. Great thief was elated by the greatness of his son.
Next day the king became the laughing stock of his city.
The Shawl asked Vikrama, “Oh sir , who are more able in this story?”
Vikrama replied, “Ofcourse, the king, minister, the cloth merchant and the barber.”
Pesa Madanthai laughed and blurted out, “How foolish is your answer. It is definitely Quarter thief, Half thief, Three fourth thief and Full thief.”
Vikrama Told her, “Oh lady .Now you have been defeated. So what is the harm in spending the time happily with me?
The shawl told , “Oh king Vikramadhithya, by your intelligence you gave wrong answers and made Pesa Madanthai speak three times. It is time that you take her with you.”
Pesa Madanthai was happy that the person whom she is going to marry is Vikramadhithya. The marriage was celebrated in a grand manner. After few days, Vikrama dressed himself as an old man and made Pesa Madanthai carry a small bundle of fire wood and reached Azhagapui. Then the king there ordered Dhanapathi to become a slave to Gunapathi as per their wager.. But Gunapathi said she is not insisting on that . Then Vikrama took his usual form and told all the people there as to who he is. He then started to his capital along with two wives –Gunapathi and Pesa Madanthai. On the way two Brahmins who were about to take Sanyasa requested Vikrama of these girls. He gave the girls to them. But since both of them refused to go with the Brahmins, he gave some money to the Brahmins and took them back.
The doll then told, “Oh king Bhoja, this is the greatness of Vikramadhithya who occupied this throne. If you think that you are equal to him, then you can definitely go up. Bhoja returned back that day without further climbing.

The story of Chamapakavalli as told by fourth doll Mangala Kalyana Valli.

The story of Chamapakavalli as told by fourth doll Mangala Kalyana Valli.

Retold by
P.R.Ramachander
On the fourth day Bhoja raja after his morning duties again started climbing on to the throne of Vikramadhithya. He was stopped on the fourth step by mangalakalyanavalli doll. It told him that he does not have great qualities of the king Vikramadhithya and is not fit to occupy the throne. Then king Bhoja asked that doll, “Doll please tell me about the greatness of Vikramadhithya. The doll started telling the following story.
Once after the six months rule, Vikrama and Bhatti started for their six month stay in forest rode on the back of their Vetala. On the way saw a luxury inn and a clear pond. Both of them got down, relaxed, took bath in the tank and got refreshed. Then they started getting the very sweet scent of Champaka flowers.Vikramadhithya send his minister to find out the reason. He went outside and enquired but could not know the reason. They then started wandering in the forest and met four way farers. When the asked the reason for the scent of Champaka flowers, those way farers took them to a great distance and then told, “ In that inn , the smell of a man should never fall and that is why we took you to this long distance. Nearby there is a kingdom of Vijayanagar. Vijayayaranga is the present king. He had a daughter called Champakavalli who was born with the scent of Champaka flowers. She is now 22. From the age of 12 she has taken the penance of not having the smell of a man near her. Every Friday she comes with one thousand servants, comes to this pond, plays in water, relaxes in the inn and goes back. One day before the king announces that no man should be anywhere on her way or in the pond or in the inn. Apart from that, the king has built a fort with several series of walls, where she lives with her girl friends. If some man happens to enter the fort he would be beheaded. So please go away from here.”
Then Bhatti expressed the desire to see Champakavalli and of marrying her to his brother and minister Bhatti. Bhatti replied, “King, to do that first we have to find out why she is observing this strange penance. I will dress myself as a girl and mix with her servants and go with her and try to find out the reason. “
He did according to that. After playing and relaxing Champakavalli returned along with her servants to the fort. At every gate large number of servants stayed back. Afraid that he would be found out Bhatti stayed back in one of the gate and returned back very disappointed. When he returned back, on the way, he slept below a banyan tree. At that time a sage came there and saw Bhatti who was very handsome. Afraid that his wife would fall in love with him, he took out a root from his bundle and put it near Bhatti. Bhatti suddenly became a very pretty girl. After some time the wife of the sage came there and saw a very pretty girl. She was afraid that her husband would be tempted by this pretty girl. She took out another root from her bundle and put it on Bhatti. Bhatti conserved both roots and came back to Vikramadhithya.
Then Bhatti got dressed like a king and converted Vikramadhithya in to a girl using the root. Then both of them went to Vijayaranga’s palace. Bhatti introduced himself as Salya king and his wife as Vikrama girl, the sister of Vikramadhithya. He said to the Vijayaranga king, “Sir, though I am the brother in law of Vikramadhithya, he is demanding one thousand gold coins as tribute every year. Since there is famine in my country, I was not able to pay the tribute. But since Vikrama is very strict, I have a request to you. I will keep my wife as mortgage to you. Please give me one thousand gold coins. I will leave my wife with you and go out and soon earn sufficient money to repay your debt and release from mortgage my wife, and then I will come back and redeem her.”
Vijayaranga said that to Bhatti that there was no need to mortgage his wife and he would give him sufficient money. Thankfully this offer was rejected by Bhatti. The king send Vikrama girl to the fort where his daughter lives and Bhatti returned back with the wealth. He son buried the wealth in the nearby forest. By the help of Vetala he would become in to a bee and hide himself in the fort of Champakavalli daily.
Champakavalli became great friends with the Vikrama girl. After some time when they have become sufficiently intimate, Vikrama girl feigned great sorrow. Seeing that she is sad, Champakavalli enquired for the reason. In spite of her asking repeatedly the reason for her sorrow, Champakavalli told Vikrama girl the following story to emphasize the greatness of friendship:-
There was a town called Chathuragiri ruled by a king named Sainthava. He had a son called Chithrasena. When Chithrasena was studying in the forest with a Guru, he struck friendship with a hunter lad called Viliya Singa. They became very close friends. On the day of parting Chithrasena told Villya Singha, that any time he has any problem he can approach him, in spite of his being the king. But things did not work out that way. Villya Singa went several times to the palace but he was not even allowed inside. Days together he waited near the palace gate, Though Chithrasena came out several times he did not bother to talk to Villya Singha. Due to his getting fed up, Villya Singha decided to pursue hunting which was the work being done by his ancestors.
Villya Singha was an expert hunter and one day he lost his way and happened to reach a cave deep inside the forest. There was a cave. He went inside and saw a very uncouth sage sleeping with his head kept on the lap of a very pretty maiden. That maiden warned Villya Singha to go away as she felt that if the sage wakes up he will kill both of them.
After day break Villya singha returned to Chathuragiri. Some how he got audience to meet the king Chithrasena, then the hunter boy told the king about the pretty maiden. Chithrasena wanted to see the pretty princess. Villya Singha took him to the cave. Chithrasena told Villya Singha, to slowly remove the head of the sage and keep in on his lap. Villya singha did accordingly. Chithrasena and the princess ran away to get married. After some time, the sage woke up. When he was about to curse him Villya Singha told the entire story. Then the sage told that people should not have friends like Chithra sena. He then told a story about two very close friends:-

In the city of Brahmapuri there was prince called Sanmarga and his friend Gunabhadra who was the minister’s son. Both were extremely close friends. After they grew up Sanmarga married Suradhavalli the princess of a southern country and Gunabhadra married the princess of Kalinga country. Even after marriage their wives continued living in the homes of their fathers. At a certain time Sanmarga and Gunabhadra both started towards their wives’ homes with an intention of bringing both of them to their own country.
Sanmarga was walking in front and Gunabhadra behind him. Then a bird told another bird that the death was waiting to the one who is going in front. Gunabhadra, who knew the language of the birds, started walking in front requesting his friend to walk behind. Then the same birds told, he who walks behind would die soon. Troubled by this Gunabhadra started along with Sanmarga.
Gunabhadra thought that death was waiting Sanmarga in the country of his wife. They soon reached that place. As soon as they reached the boundary of the southern country , they send word to Sanmarga’s father in law about their arrival. He received them both and arranged for an ivory palanquin for Sanmarga and a green palanquin for Gunabhadra. Thinking that death was waiting in the Palanquin Gunabhadra travelled in the ivory palanquin and requested his friend to travel in the green palanquin.
When it was night the wife of Sanmarga came along with several sweets, milk and Thamboola to the room of her husband. Gunabhadra was hiding nearby , afraid that his friend may die. But by that time due to tiresomeness of the journey Sanmarga has slept. The princess became overjoyed and along with the sweets and milk left the palace . She went outside to meet her secret lover , who was a horrible looking lame man. That man chided her for coming late. Then she told him that her husband has come to take her away to his home. Then that lime man gave his sword to the princess and asked her to cut off the head of Sanmarga and bring it so that he would believe that she loves only him. The princess went inside and cut off the head of Sanmarga, Gunabhadra jumped and held her hand . But the princess shouted that Gunabhadra had killed her husband and was trying to rape her. The father of the princess who was the king entrusted his servants to hand Gunabhadra in the four directions of the town. They took him to the ministers in all four directions but left him free . They killed an animal and showed the blood stains to the king. The four ministers believed Gunabhadra and together preserved the body of the prince as per his desire. That night they followed the princess and caught her red handed along with her lame lover and took them to the king. The king got very upset , cut both his daughter and her lover in to two pieces and left for a pilgrimage to Kasi.
Gunabhadra continued with the preserved body of his friend and reached the place of his wife in Kalinga.
That night Gunabhadra’s wife also went out of the palace. Gunabhadra followed her. She went to the local temple and as per vow wanted to cut her head off before the Goddess as soon as her husband comes. The goddess prevented her from doing it. She gave her some sacred ash and a lime and told her, “Your husband had brought the dead body of his friend. If he does not come back alive, your husband would commit suicide. So go home . Sprinkle this ash and apply the juice of this fruit on the body of the friend of your husband. He would wake up alive.”
The princess went to back to be with her husband. Next day Gunabadhra told all the previous night incidents , as if he has seen them in a dream. His wife told that it was not a dream and really happened. Both of them went together and helped the prince to live again.
The saint told “This is the way , friends should be and not like your useless friend and went away to do penance.
Champakavalli told this to Vikrama girl and requested her to open up her mind. Vikrama girl replied, “Friend, all over the world, women enjoy married life and never hate men. I am not able to understand why you hate men and waste your life like this. I am sad because of that. Then Champakavalli told,
“Friend that is a big story. It is the story of my previous life. It is as follows:-
There was a forest called Pretty forest. There was a temple for the Goddess there. In the bamboo bushes there lived two pigeons called Salyavan and Sallari. For a long time they did not have any babies. By god’s grace at last Sallari laid two eggs. When both of them had gone in search of food, the bamboo bush caught fire and the eggs were destroyed. When Salyavan and Sallari came back, they were extremely sad. So both of them decided to jump in that fire and die. When they were about to jump in the fire , Salyavan ran away and I who was Sallari in previous birth was born with the memory of previous birth. This is the reason why I do not want to have anything with males.”
This story was heard by Bhatti who was hiding in the attic in the form of a lizard. He went back and appeared as the father of Vikrama girl along with the 1000 coins. Champakavalli was greatly sad at parting with the friend.
The next day Bhatti took the form of a magician and appeared before the king and showed him several breath taking tricks with the help of Vetala. When the king presented him with a heavy purse Bhatti told the king, “ Sir these tricks are like child play to my guru who is the forest. Unfortunately he will not come here to show his magic before you, because , he does not see any woman.”
King was particular to see the tricks of Bhatti’s guru and arranged for a non women audience. However Champakavalli was very particular on seeing the tricks. She was also present there hiding below a screen. Vikrama came as Guru of Bhatti and performed marvelous tricks. At the end when king asked him, why he will not see woman, he told,
“There was a forest called Pretty forest. There was a temple for the Goddess there. In the bamboo bushes there lived two pigeons called Salyavan and Sallari. For a long time they did not have any babies. By god’s grace at last Sallari laid two eggs. When both of them had gone in search of food, the bamboo bush caught fire and the eggs were destroyed. When Salyavan and Sallari came back, they were extremely sad. So both of them decided to jump in that fire and die. When they were about to jump in the fire , Sallari ran away and I who was Salyavan in previous birth was born with the memory of previous birth. This is the reason why I do not want to have anything to do with females.”
As soon as he told this story, Champakavalli jumped from behind the screen and started shouting that it was Salyavan who did not die. The king as well as the learned people heard them both and decided that Both Salyavan and Sallari died in their previous births but not knowing about each other’s death. So they all thought that it is appropriate that Sallari and Salyavan of this birth should marry each other. The marriage was celebrated after their consent. When Vikramadhithya wanted to go back to Ujjain, all people came to know that I was the great Vikramadhithya who has married their princess.