Story Summary
In the Vikram and Betaal story The Transposed Heads, a wife accidentally swaps the heads of her husband and his friend. King Vikram must judge who is her spouse.
As King Vikram carried the corpse of Betaal across the desolate cremation ground, the spirit began a new tale. Two inseparable friends, Shridaman, a scholar, and Madan, a man of great physical strength, traveled together with Shridaman's beautiful wife, Padmini. During their journey, they stopped at a temple of the Goddess Kali. Overwhelmed by sudden religious fervor, Shridaman entered the temple alone and sacrificed his own head to the Goddess. When he did not return, Madan went looking for him, and seeing his friend dead, he feared he would be accused of murder and sacrificed himself as well. Padmini, discovering both men dead, prepared to end her life. The Goddess Kali appeared, moved by her grief, and told her to reattach the heads to the bodies to bring them back to life. In her frantic haste, Padmini accidentally transposed the heads: Shridaman’s head was placed on Madan’s body, and Madan’s head on Shridaman’s. When the men rose, a fierce argument began over who was Padmini's rightful husband. Betaal stopped and asked Vikram: 'To whom does Padmini belong?' Vikram replied, 'The head is the most superior part of the body, the seat of the senses and the mind. Therefore, the man with Shridaman’s head is Shridaman, regardless of the body.'
The Moral
The mind and the intellect, which reside in the head, define a person's true identity more than the physical body.
“As the head is the chief of all organs, the person is known by his head.”
Fun Fact
This story is a classic example of an 'identity puzzle' and has been adapted into various plays, movies, and even a novella by Nobel laureate Thomas Mann.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Transposed Heads?
The moral is that the head is the master of the body. Since the mind and soul reside in the head, it determines a person's true identity over their physical appearance.
How did the heads get swapped in the story?
Padmini was so distressed and rushed after being granted a boon by Goddess Kali that she accidentally placed the scholar Shridaman's head on the warrior Madan's body and vice versa.
Who does Padmini choose as her husband in the end?
Based on King Vikram's wise judgment, she remains with the man who possesses her husband's original head, as the head is the seat of the person's identity and memory.
Why did the two friends sacrifice themselves?
Shridaman sacrificed himself out of an impulsive burst of religious devotion to Kali, while Madan followed suit out of despair and fear of being blamed for his friend's death.
What is the source of the story The Transposed Heads?
It is one of the twenty-five riddles found in the 'Vetala Panchavimshati,' a collection of Sanskrit legends about King Vikramaditya and the vampire-like Betaal.
Does this story exist in Western literature?
Yes, the famous German author Thomas Mann wrote a novella titled 'The Transposed Heads' in 1940, which was directly inspired by this traditional Indian folk tale.