The story of eight deva maidens as told by Neethivakyavalli doll

The story of eight deva maidens as told by Neethivakyavalli doll

Retold by
P.R.Ramachander

On the thirty first day Bhoja raja after his morning duties again started climbing on to the throne of Vikramadhithya. He was stopped on the thirty first step by Neethivakyavalli 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.
Vikramadhithya had a very wise minister called Budhisindhu. He had a son called Anarghala. Like all young people Anarghala was wasting away his time in empty pursuits. So one day Budhisindhu called his son and told him about the need for utilizing his time properly and learn all that has to be learnt. Anarghala realized that what his father was advising was correct and went to the northern part in search of a teacher. He found a good one and learned all that needs to be learned. Afterwards, he was returning to his own country. On the way he found a lake and by the side of it a very pretty temple. Half the lake had warm water and the other half cold water. Anarghala decided to spend his night by the side of the temple. That night eight deva maidens rose from the warm water side of the lake, went to the temple and did pooja. The God came in person and talked with them. Later when they were going back, they invited Anarghala to accompany them and jumped inside the lake. Since Anarghala was afraid of jumping in the lake, he did not follow them.
Later when he went to his home and later Visited Vikramadhithya, he told him about this incident. King Vikrama immediately visited the lake and the temple along with Anarghala. He also saw the eight deva maidens and was invited to follow them. Without any hesitation he jumped in to the water and reached along with them to their golden house. All of them were greatly appreciative of the valour of Vikramadhithya and offered him of their services. They told him they were the eight occult powers, Anima, Garima, Mahima, etc. When Vikramadhithya said he was not interested, they converted their powers as eight gems and gave them to him. They said that anyone having those gems will have those powers.
While he was returning he met an old man who was completely neglected by his family members. Taking pity on him king Vikramadhithya gave all those eight gems to him. He was that generous.

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.