Story Summary
Explore The Greatest Sacrifice from Vikram and Betaal. A gripping tale of loyalty, duty, and a king's ultimate test of character in Indian folklore.
King Vikram once again captured the Betaal and began his journey through the dark forest. The spirit began a new tale: 'In the city of Shobhavati, King Shudraka ruled with justice. One day, a man named Viravara arrived, asking for a massive salary of five hundred gold coins daily. The King, curious about his worth, hired him. One stormy night, the King heard a woman wailing. He ordered Viravara to find her. Viravara found the Goddess of the Kingdom’s Fortune weeping; she told him the King would die in three days unless a man sacrificed his own son to Goddess Chandi. Viravara returned home and told his family. His son, Sattvavara, bravely agreed to die for the King. At the temple, Viravara sacrificed his son. Overcome by grief, Viravara’s wife and daughter also took their lives, and finally, Viravara killed himself. King Shudraka, who had followed secretly, was so moved by this loyalty that he prepared to sacrifice himself to join them. The Goddess appeared, stopped the King, and restored the family to life. Now, Vikram, tell me: who made the greatest sacrifice?' Vikram replied, 'The King. Viravara acted out of duty to his master, but the King was willing to die for a common servant. A leader's sacrifice for his subject is the highest virtue.'
The Moral
The highest form of sacrifice is when a leader is willing to give up their life for their followers, transcending the boundaries of status and duty.
“A servant's duty is his life, but a King's duty is the lives of his servants.”
Fun Fact
The Vikram and Betaal stories are structured as a 'frame narrative,' where a larger story contains many smaller ones, a style also seen in The Arabian Nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Greatest Sacrifice?
The moral is that while loyalty to a master is noble, a ruler's willingness to sacrifice himself for his subjects is the ultimate act of selflessness. It emphasizes that true leadership requires putting others before oneself.
Who is Viravara in the story?
Viravara is a brave and loyal soldier who enters the service of King Shudraka. He is known for his extreme devotion, eventually choosing to sacrifice his own son to save the King's life.
Why did Vikram say the King's sacrifice was the greatest?
Vikram reasoned that Viravara was bound by the duty of his salary and loyalty to his master. However, the King had no such obligation to die for a servant, making his voluntary sacrifice more profound.
What is the origin of the Vikram and Betaal stories?
These stories originate from the 'Baital Pachisi,' an ancient Sanskrit collection of 25 tales. They are most famously found in the 11th-century work 'Kathasaritsagara' by Somadeva.
How did the family of Viravara come back to life?
The Goddess Chandi was moved by King Shudraka's selfless intention to sacrifice his own life for his loyal servant. She appeared and granted him a boon, which he used to restore Viravara and his family.
What happens if Vikram speaks during the journey?
According to the condition set by the Betaal, if Vikram speaks to answer the riddle, the Betaal is allowed to fly back to his tree, forcing Vikram to catch him all over again.