Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit by S. M. Mitra.
Chapter 1
Introductory Note
Nancy Bell introduces a collection of Hindu tales translated by S. M. Mitra, explaining their origin from Sanskrit classics and oral traditions, their ethical value, and their use in Hindu mind-training to develop concentration, self-control, and self-realization in children.
Chapter 2
Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit
This chapter introduces a collection of Hindu tales translated from the Sanskrit, featuring stories of magic, morality, and adventure. It includes the tale of Subha Datta and the fairies, the story of Putraka's birth and rise to kingship, and other narratives involving cleverness, loyalty, and supernatural elements.
Chapter 3
The Magic Pitcher
Subha Datta, a poor woodcutter, meets fairies in the forest and is granted a wish. He chooses a magic pitcher that provides endless food, but his greed and drunkenness lead him to break it, losing the gift.
Chapter 4
I
Introduces Mana Kanaka, a holy man living near Ikshumati, and his daughter Kadali-Garbha, a gentle girl raised in the forest who learns from her father and befriends wild animals.
Chapter 5
II
Kadali-Garbha, now sixteen, lives a contented life alone with her father Mana Kanaka in the forest. One day, while her father is away cutting wood, she is surprised by the arrival of King Dridha-Varman, who has become separated from his hunting party. The king is struck by her beauty and innocence, but Kadali-Garbha, shy and frightened, runs to her father when he returns, feeling safe with him.
Chapter 6
III
King Dridha-Varman encounters the woodcutter Mana Kanaka and his beautiful daughter. Struck by her beauty, the king proposes marriage, promising wealth and comfort.
Chapter 7
IV
Kadali-Garbha is reluctant to leave her father, Mana Kanaka, but is persuaded to marry the king. She falls in love with him, and on her wedding day, a wise woman gives her mustard seeds to strew along the path in case she needs to find her way home.
Chapter 8
V
After the wedding, King Dridha-Varman and Queen Kadali-Garbha ride to the palace, where she is welcomed with joy. The king is devoted to her, but a jealous court lady, who had hoped to be queen, plots against Kadali-Garbha. Unable to find allies, she consults the wise woman Asoka-Mala, who, though suspecting the story is false, agrees to help for money. Asoka-Mala instructs her to bribe the barber to tell the king a fabricated secret about the queen, warning her to provide proof.
Chapter 9
VI
A wicked woman plots to frame Queen Kadali-Garbha by convincing the barber to tell King Dridha-Varman that she is a witch. The barber, motivated by money, plants seeds of doubt in the king's mind about his wife's activities in the forest, leading the king to begin secretly watching her.
Chapter 10
VII
King Dridha-Varman, influenced by a barber's tale, begins to distrust his wife Kadali-Garbha. He assigns a lady to watch her in the forest, and later restricts her to the palace gardens. Kadali-Garbha grows sad and pale, longing for her former freedom. The wicked woman conspires again with Asoka-Mala, planning to use the barber to further slander the queen. One night, Kadali-Garbha, unable to sleep from grief, goes into the gardens; the king wakes, notices her absence, and questions her when she returns.
Chapter 11
VIII
The king hears rumors that his wife Kadali-Garbha has been seen at night gathering herbs and muttering his name, leading him to suspect she is a witch trying to poison him. He searches for her but she is missing, and he orders her ladies-in-waiting to be locked up, including the jealous woman who caused the trouble.
Chapter 12
IX
Kadali-Garbha, distressed by the loss of the king's love, seeks her father Mana Kanaka, a magician, who helps her return to the palace. Mana Kanaka confronts King Dridha-Varman, revealing the slander against the queen. The king, overjoyed to see his wife, punishes the slanderers but spares them due to Kadali-Garbha's plea. Mana Kanaka refuses rewards and returns to his forest home, with the king promising to visit often.
Chapter 13
Chapter X
Sringa-Bhuja, following instructions, confronts the magician Dhuma-Sikha at his temple. Using magical gifts—earth, water, thorns, and burning charcoal—he creates obstacles to escape the pursuing magician. After a harrowing chase, he returns to Rupa-Sikha, who reveals her father Agni-Sikha had promised to allow their marriage if Sringa-Bhuja survived. Despite Agni-Sikha's rage and threats, Sringa-Bhuja accurately describes the temple and Dhuma-Sikha, convincing the magician to honor his word and consent to the wedding.
Chapter 14
The Escape from Agni-Sikha
After their marriage, Sringa-Bhuja and Rupa-Sikha plan a secret escape to Vardhamana to reunite with his mother and return the jewelled arrow. Using Rupa-Sikha's new magical powers, they transform themselves and their horse Marut to evade Agni-Sikha's pursuit, tricking him into believing he is dead and turning back.
Chapter 15
XII
Agni-Sikha pursues the newlyweds again, but Rupa-Sikha uses magic to make herself, her husband, and Marut invisible, then disguises herself as a letter-carrier. She tricks her father into believing he is wounded and dying, causing him to doubt his sanity and return home, where he consults his councillor and physician, ultimately losing his chance for revenge.
Chapter 16
XIII
Sringa-Bhuja returns home with Rupa-Sikha, reunites with his father, secures his mother Guna-Vara's release from prison, and exposes the false accusations against her. The culprits are forgiven at the plea of the injured, and Sringa-Bhuja is named heir to the throne.
Chapter 17
XIV
Putraka becomes so absorbed in his love for Patala that he neglects his old benefactress and grows careless about his invisibility, leading to his discovery by a palace guardian. The king orders a lady-in-waiting to spy on the princess's chamber, but the attendant, seeing Putraka's noble appearance and pitying the lovers, decides not to betray them.
Chapter 18
The Story of a Cat, a Mouse, a Lizard and an Owl
A cat, a mouse, a lizard, and an owl are caught in a series of predicaments, each trying to escape or outwit the others, leading to a tangled web of survival and deception.
Chapter 19
I
Introduces Mana Kanaka, a holy man living near Ikshumati, and his daughter Kadali-Garbha, a gentle girl raised in the forest who learns from her father and befriends wild animals.
Chapter 20
II
Kadali-Garbha, now sixteen, lives a contented life alone with her father Mana Kanaka in the forest. One day, while her father is away cutting wood, she is surprised by the arrival of King Dridha-Varman, who has become separated from his hunting party. The king is struck by her beauty and innocence, but Kadali-Garbha, shy and frightened, runs to her father when he returns, feeling safe with him.
Chapter 21
III
King Dridha-Varman encounters the woodcutter Mana Kanaka and his beautiful daughter. Struck by her beauty, the king proposes marriage, promising wealth and comfort.
Chapter 22
IV
Kadali-Garbha is reluctant to leave her father, Mana Kanaka, but is persuaded to marry the king. She falls in love with him, and on her wedding day, a wise woman gives her mustard seeds to strew along the path in case she needs to find her way home.
Chapter 23
V
After the wedding, King Dridha-Varman and Queen Kadali-Garbha ride to the palace, where she is welcomed with joy. The king is devoted to her, but a jealous court lady, who had hoped to be queen, plots against Kadali-Garbha. Unable to find allies, she consults the wise woman Asoka-Mala, who, though suspecting the story is false, agrees to help for money. Asoka-Mala instructs her to bribe the barber to tell the king a fabricated secret about the queen, warning her to provide proof.
Chapter 24
VI
A wicked woman plots to frame Queen Kadali-Garbha by convincing the barber to tell King Dridha-Varman that she is a witch. The barber, motivated by money, plants seeds of doubt in the king's mind about his wife's activities in the forest, leading the king to begin secretly watching her.
Chapter 25
A Royal Thief-Catcher
The chapter likely involves a story about a thief-catcher in a royal setting, possibly featuring cleverness and deception to catch a thief, with themes of justice and retribution.
Chapter 26
I
Introduces Mana Kanaka, a holy man living near Ikshumati, and his daughter Kadali-Garbha, a gentle girl raised in the forest who learns from her father and befriends wild animals.
Chapter 27
II
Kadali-Garbha, now sixteen, lives a contented life alone with her father Mana Kanaka in the forest. One day, while her father is away cutting wood, she is surprised by the arrival of King Dridha-Varman, who has become separated from his hunting party. The king is struck by her beauty and innocence, but Kadali-Garbha, shy and frightened, runs to her father when he returns, feeling safe with him.
Chapter 28
III
King Dridha-Varman encounters the woodcutter Mana Kanaka and his beautiful daughter. Struck by her beauty, the king proposes marriage, promising wealth and comfort.
Chapter 29
IV
Kadali-Garbha is reluctant to leave her father, Mana Kanaka, but is persuaded to marry the king. She falls in love with him, and on her wedding day, a wise woman gives her mustard seeds to strew along the path in case she needs to find her way home.
Chapter 30
V
After the wedding, King Dridha-Varman and Queen Kadali-Garbha ride to the palace, where she is welcomed with joy. The king is devoted to her, but a jealous court lady, who had hoped to be queen, plots against Kadali-Garbha. Unable to find allies, she consults the wise woman Asoka-Mala, who, though suspecting the story is false, agrees to help for money. Asoka-Mala instructs her to bribe the barber to tell the king a fabricated secret about the queen, warning her to provide proof.
Chapter 31
VI
A wicked woman plots to frame Queen Kadali-Garbha by convincing the barber to tell King Dridha-Varman that she is a witch. The barber, motivated by money, plants seeds of doubt in the king's mind about his wife's activities in the forest, leading the king to begin secretly watching her.
Chapter 32
VII
King Dridha-Varman, influenced by a barber's tale, begins to distrust his wife Kadali-Garbha. He assigns a lady to watch her in the forest, and later restricts her to the palace gardens. Kadali-Garbha grows sad and pale, longing for her former freedom. The wicked woman conspires again with Asoka-Mala, planning to use the barber to further slander the queen. One night, Kadali-Garbha, unable to sleep from grief, goes into the gardens; the king wakes, notices her absence, and questions her when she returns.
Chapter 33
VIII
The king hears rumors that his wife Kadali-Garbha has been seen at night gathering herbs and muttering his name, leading him to suspect she is a witch trying to poison him. He searches for her but she is missing, and he orders her ladies-in-waiting to be locked up, including the jealous woman who caused the trouble.
Chapter 34
IX
Kadali-Garbha, distressed by the loss of the king's love, seeks her father Mana Kanaka, a magician, who helps her return to the palace. Mana Kanaka confronts King Dridha-Varman, revealing the slander against the queen. The king, overjoyed to see his wife, punishes the slanderers but spares them due to Kadali-Garbha's plea. Mana Kanaka refuses rewards and returns to his forest home, with the king promising to visit often.
Chapter 35
Chapter X
Sringa-Bhuja, following instructions, confronts the magician Dhuma-Sikha at his temple. Using magical gifts—earth, water, thorns, and burning charcoal—he creates obstacles to escape the pursuing magician. After a harrowing chase, he returns to Rupa-Sikha, who reveals her father Agni-Sikha had promised to allow their marriage if Sringa-Bhuja survived. Despite Agni-Sikha's rage and threats, Sringa-Bhuja accurately describes the temple and Dhuma-Sikha, convincing the magician to honor his word and consent to the wedding.
Chapter 36
The Escape from Agni-Sikha
After their marriage, Sringa-Bhuja and Rupa-Sikha plan a secret escape to Vardhamana to reunite with his mother and return the jewelled arrow. Using Rupa-Sikha's new magical powers, they transform themselves and their horse Marut to evade Agni-Sikha's pursuit, tricking him into believing he is dead and turning back.
Chapter 37
XII
Agni-Sikha pursues the newlyweds again, but Rupa-Sikha uses magic to make herself, her husband, and Marut invisible, then disguises herself as a letter-carrier. She tricks her father into believing he is wounded and dying, causing him to doubt his sanity and return home, where he consults his councillor and physician, ultimately losing his chance for revenge.
Chapter 38
The Magic Shoes and Staff
Putraka receives magical shoes and a staff from a holy man, which grant him the power to travel swiftly and overcome obstacles, aiding his journey and eventual rise to power.
Chapter 39
I
Introduces Mana Kanaka, a holy man living near Ikshumati, and his daughter Kadali-Garbha, a gentle girl raised in the forest who learns from her father and befriends wild animals.
Chapter 40
II
Kadali-Garbha, now sixteen, lives a contented life alone with her father Mana Kanaka in the forest. One day, while her father is away cutting wood, she is surprised by the arrival of King Dridha-Varman, who has become separated from his hunting party. The king is struck by her beauty and innocence, but Kadali-Garbha, shy and frightened, runs to her father when he returns, feeling safe with him.
Chapter 41
III
King Dridha-Varman encounters the woodcutter Mana Kanaka and his beautiful daughter. Struck by her beauty, the king proposes marriage, promising wealth and comfort.
Chapter 42
IV
Kadali-Garbha is reluctant to leave her father, Mana Kanaka, but is persuaded to marry the king. She falls in love with him, and on her wedding day, a wise woman gives her mustard seeds to strew along the path in case she needs to find her way home.
Chapter 43
V
After the wedding, King Dridha-Varman and Queen Kadali-Garbha ride to the palace, where she is welcomed with joy. The king is devoted to her, but a jealous court lady, who had hoped to be queen, plots against Kadali-Garbha. Unable to find allies, she consults the wise woman Asoka-Mala, who, though suspecting the story is false, agrees to help for money. Asoka-Mala instructs her to bribe the barber to tell the king a fabricated secret about the queen, warning her to provide proof.
Chapter 44
VI
A wicked woman plots to frame Queen Kadali-Garbha by convincing the barber to tell King Dridha-Varman that she is a witch. The barber, motivated by money, plants seeds of doubt in the king's mind about his wife's activities in the forest, leading the king to begin secretly watching her.
Chapter 45
VII
King Dridha-Varman, influenced by a barber's tale, begins to distrust his wife Kadali-Garbha. He assigns a lady to watch her in the forest, and later restricts her to the palace gardens. Kadali-Garbha grows sad and pale, longing for her former freedom. The wicked woman conspires again with Asoka-Mala, planning to use the barber to further slander the queen. One night, Kadali-Garbha, unable to sleep from grief, goes into the gardens; the king wakes, notices her absence, and questions her when she returns.
Chapter 46
VIII
The king hears rumors that his wife Kadali-Garbha has been seen at night gathering herbs and muttering his name, leading him to suspect she is a witch trying to poison him. He searches for her but she is missing, and he orders her ladies-in-waiting to be locked up, including the jealous woman who caused the trouble.
Chapter 47
IX
Kadali-Garbha, distressed by the loss of the king's love, seeks her father Mana Kanaka, a magician, who helps her return to the palace. Mana Kanaka confronts King Dridha-Varman, revealing the slander against the queen. The king, overjoyed to see his wife, punishes the slanderers but spares them due to Kadali-Garbha's plea. Mana Kanaka refuses rewards and returns to his forest home, with the king promising to visit often.
Chapter 48
Chapter X
Sringa-Bhuja, following instructions, confronts the magician Dhuma-Sikha at his temple. Using magical gifts—earth, water, thorns, and burning charcoal—he creates obstacles to escape the pursuing magician. After a harrowing chase, he returns to Rupa-Sikha, who reveals her father Agni-Sikha had promised to allow their marriage if Sringa-Bhuja survived. Despite Agni-Sikha's rage and threats, Sringa-Bhuja accurately describes the temple and Dhuma-Sikha, convincing the magician to honor his word and consent to the wedding.
Chapter 49
The Escape from Agni-Sikha
After their marriage, Sringa-Bhuja and Rupa-Sikha plan a secret escape to Vardhamana to reunite with his mother and return the jewelled arrow. Using Rupa-Sikha's new magical powers, they transform themselves and their horse Marut to evade Agni-Sikha's pursuit, tricking him into believing he is dead and turning back.
Chapter 50
XII
Agni-Sikha pursues the newlyweds again, but Rupa-Sikha uses magic to make herself, her husband, and Marut invisible, then disguises herself as a letter-carrier. She tricks her father into believing he is wounded and dying, causing him to doubt his sanity and return home, where he consults his councillor and physician, ultimately losing his chance for revenge.
Chapter 51
XIII
Sringa-Bhuja returns home with Rupa-Sikha, reunites with his father, secures his mother Guna-Vara's release from prison, and exposes the false accusations against her. The culprits are forgiven at the plea of the injured, and Sringa-Bhuja is named heir to the throne.
Chapter 52
XIV
Putraka becomes so absorbed in his love for Patala that he neglects his old benefactress and grows careless about his invisibility, leading to his discovery by a palace guardian. The king orders a lady-in-waiting to spy on the princess's chamber, but the attendant, seeing Putraka's noble appearance and pitying the lovers, decides not to betray them.
Chapter 53
XV
Putraka is captured after being discovered in Patala's room, but he escapes using his magic shoes and staff, flying to Patala's palace.
Chapter 54
XVI
Putraka rescues Patala from her father and flies with her to the banks of the Ganges. Using his magic staff, he builds a magnificent new city, Patali-Putra, where they marry and reign happily. Patala also persuades Putraka to bring the old woman who had helped him to live with them.
Chapter 55
The Jewelled Arrow
Sringa-Bhuja uses a jewelled arrow to shoot a magician-crane, leading to a series of events that ultimately free the imprisoned Queen Guna-Vara.
Chapter 56
I
Introduces Mana Kanaka, a holy man living near Ikshumati, and his daughter Kadali-Garbha, a gentle girl raised in the forest who learns from her father and befriends wild animals.
Chapter 57
II
Kadali-Garbha, now sixteen, lives a contented life alone with her father Mana Kanaka in the forest. One day, while her father is away cutting wood, she is surprised by the arrival of King Dridha-Varman, who has become separated from his hunting party. The king is struck by her beauty and innocence, but Kadali-Garbha, shy and frightened, runs to her father when he returns, feeling safe with him.
Chapter 58
III
King Dridha-Varman encounters the woodcutter Mana Kanaka and his beautiful daughter. Struck by her beauty, the king proposes marriage, promising wealth and comfort.
Chapter 59
IV
Kadali-Garbha is reluctant to leave her father, Mana Kanaka, but is persuaded to marry the king. She falls in love with him, and on her wedding day, a wise woman gives her mustard seeds to strew along the path in case she needs to find her way home.
Chapter 60
V
After the wedding, King Dridha-Varman and Queen Kadali-Garbha ride to the palace, where she is welcomed with joy. The king is devoted to her, but a jealous court lady, who had hoped to be queen, plots against Kadali-Garbha. Unable to find allies, she consults the wise woman Asoka-Mala, who, though suspecting the story is false, agrees to help for money. Asoka-Mala instructs her to bribe the barber to tell the king a fabricated secret about the queen, warning her to provide proof.
Chapter 61
VI
A wicked woman plots to frame Queen Kadali-Garbha by convincing the barber to tell King Dridha-Varman that she is a witch. The barber, motivated by money, plants seeds of doubt in the king's mind about his wife's activities in the forest, leading the king to begin secretly watching her.
Chapter 62
VII
King Dridha-Varman, influenced by a barber's tale, begins to distrust his wife Kadali-Garbha. He assigns a lady to watch her in the forest, and later restricts her to the palace gardens. Kadali-Garbha grows sad and pale, longing for her former freedom. The wicked woman conspires again with Asoka-Mala, planning to use the barber to further slander the queen. One night, Kadali-Garbha, unable to sleep from grief, goes into the gardens; the king wakes, notices her absence, and questions her when she returns.
Chapter 63
VIII
The king hears rumors that his wife Kadali-Garbha has been seen at night gathering herbs and muttering his name, leading him to suspect she is a witch trying to poison him. He searches for her but she is missing, and he orders her ladies-in-waiting to be locked up, including the jealous woman who caused the trouble.
Chapter 64
IX
Kadali-Garbha, distressed by the loss of the king's love, seeks her father Mana Kanaka, a magician, who helps her return to the palace. Mana Kanaka confronts King Dridha-Varman, revealing the slander against the queen. The king, overjoyed to see his wife, punishes the slanderers but spares them due to Kadali-Garbha's plea. Mana Kanaka refuses rewards and returns to his forest home, with the king promising to visit often.
Chapter 65
Chapter X
Sringa-Bhuja, following instructions, confronts the magician Dhuma-Sikha at his temple. Using magical gifts—earth, water, thorns, and burning charcoal—he creates obstacles to escape the pursuing magician. After a harrowing chase, he returns to Rupa-Sikha, who reveals her father Agni-Sikha had promised to allow their marriage if Sringa-Bhuja survived. Despite Agni-Sikha's rage and threats, Sringa-Bhuja accurately describes the temple and Dhuma-Sikha, convincing the magician to honor his word and consent to the wedding.
Chapter 66
The Escape from Agni-Sikha
After their marriage, Sringa-Bhuja and Rupa-Sikha plan a secret escape to Vardhamana to reunite with his mother and return the jewelled arrow. Using Rupa-Sikha's new magical powers, they transform themselves and their horse Marut to evade Agni-Sikha's pursuit, tricking him into believing he is dead and turning back.
Chapter 67
XII
Agni-Sikha pursues the newlyweds again, but Rupa-Sikha uses magic to make herself, her husband, and Marut invisible, then disguises herself as a letter-carrier. She tricks her father into believing he is wounded and dying, causing him to doubt his sanity and return home, where he consults his councillor and physician, ultimately losing his chance for revenge.
Chapter 68
XIII
Sringa-Bhuja returns home with Rupa-Sikha, reunites with his father, secures his mother Guna-Vara's release from prison, and exposes the false accusations against her. The culprits are forgiven at the plea of the injured, and Sringa-Bhuja is named heir to the throne.
Chapter 69
I
Introduces Mana Kanaka, a holy man living near Ikshumati, and his daughter Kadali-Garbha, a gentle girl raised in the forest who learns from her father and befriends wild animals.
Chapter 70
II
Kadali-Garbha, now sixteen, lives a contented life alone with her father Mana Kanaka in the forest. One day, while her father is away cutting wood, she is surprised by the arrival of King Dridha-Varman, who has become separated from his hunting party. The king is struck by her beauty and innocence, but Kadali-Garbha, shy and frightened, runs to her father when he returns, feeling safe with him.
Chapter 71
III
King Dridha-Varman encounters the woodcutter Mana Kanaka and his beautiful daughter. Struck by her beauty, the king proposes marriage, promising wealth and comfort.
Chapter 72
IV
Kadali-Garbha is reluctant to leave her father, Mana Kanaka, but is persuaded to marry the king. She falls in love with him, and on her wedding day, a wise woman gives her mustard seeds to strew along the path in case she needs to find her way home.
Chapter 73
V
After the wedding, King Dridha-Varman and Queen Kadali-Garbha ride to the palace, where she is welcomed with joy. The king is devoted to her, but a jealous court lady, who had hoped to be queen, plots against Kadali-Garbha. Unable to find allies, she consults the wise woman Asoka-Mala, who, though suspecting the story is false, agrees to help for money. Asoka-Mala instructs her to bribe the barber to tell the king a fabricated secret about the queen, warning her to provide proof.
Chapter 74
VI
A wicked woman plots to frame Queen Kadali-Garbha by convincing the barber to tell King Dridha-Varman that she is a witch. The barber, motivated by money, plants seeds of doubt in the king's mind about his wife's activities in the forest, leading the king to begin secretly watching her.
Chapter 75
VII
King Dridha-Varman, influenced by a barber's tale, begins to distrust his wife Kadali-Garbha. He assigns a lady to watch her in the forest, and later restricts her to the palace gardens. Kadali-Garbha grows sad and pale, longing for her former freedom. The wicked woman conspires again with Asoka-Mala, planning to use the barber to further slander the queen. One night, Kadali-Garbha, unable to sleep from grief, goes into the gardens; the king wakes, notices her absence, and questions her when she returns.
Chapter 76
A Crow and His Three Friends
A crow lives peacefully in a tree until a fowler sets a trap. His three friends—a mouse, a tortoise, and a deer—help him escape by working together, demonstrating the power of friendship and cooperation.
Chapter 77
I
Introduces Mana Kanaka, a holy man living near Ikshumati, and his daughter Kadali-Garbha, a gentle girl raised in the forest who learns from her father and befriends wild animals.
Chapter 78
II
Kadali-Garbha, now sixteen, lives a contented life alone with her father Mana Kanaka in the forest. One day, while her father is away cutting wood, she is surprised by the arrival of King Dridha-Varman, who has become separated from his hunting party. The king is struck by her beauty and innocence, but Kadali-Garbha, shy and frightened, runs to her father when he returns, feeling safe with him.
Chapter 79
III
King Dridha-Varman encounters the woodcutter Mana Kanaka and his beautiful daughter. Struck by her beauty, the king proposes marriage, promising wealth and comfort.
Chapter 80
IV
Kadali-Garbha is reluctant to leave her father, Mana Kanaka, but is persuaded to marry the king. She falls in love with him, and on her wedding day, a wise woman gives her mustard seeds to strew along the path in case she needs to find her way home.
Chapter 81
V
After the wedding, King Dridha-Varman and Queen Kadali-Garbha ride to the palace, where she is welcomed with joy. The king is devoted to her, but a jealous court lady, who had hoped to be queen, plots against Kadali-Garbha. Unable to find allies, she consults the wise woman Asoka-Mala, who, though suspecting the story is false, agrees to help for money. Asoka-Mala instructs her to bribe the barber to tell the king a fabricated secret about the queen, warning her to provide proof.
Chapter 82
VI
A wicked woman plots to frame Queen Kadali-Garbha by convincing the barber to tell King Dridha-Varman that she is a witch. The barber, motivated by money, plants seeds of doubt in the king's mind about his wife's activities in the forest, leading the king to begin secretly watching her.
Chapter 83
VII
King Dridha-Varman, influenced by a barber's tale, begins to distrust his wife Kadali-Garbha. He assigns a lady to watch her in the forest, and later restricts her to the palace gardens. Kadali-Garbha grows sad and pale, longing for her former freedom. The wicked woman conspires again with Asoka-Mala, planning to use the barber to further slander the queen. One night, Kadali-Garbha, unable to sleep from grief, goes into the gardens; the king wakes, notices her absence, and questions her when she returns.
Chapter 84
A Clever Thief
A clever thief uses his wits to escape punishment and gain favor, demonstrating the power of intelligence over brute force.
Chapter 85
I
Introduces Mana Kanaka, a holy man living near Ikshumati, and his daughter Kadali-Garbha, a gentle girl raised in the forest who learns from her father and befriends wild animals.
Chapter 86
II
Kadali-Garbha, now sixteen, lives a contented life alone with her father Mana Kanaka in the forest. One day, while her father is away cutting wood, she is surprised by the arrival of King Dridha-Varman, who has become separated from his hunting party. The king is struck by her beauty and innocence, but Kadali-Garbha, shy and frightened, runs to her father when he returns, feeling safe with him.
Chapter 87
III
King Dridha-Varman encounters the woodcutter Mana Kanaka and his beautiful daughter. Struck by her beauty, the king proposes marriage, promising wealth and comfort.
Chapter 88
IV
Kadali-Garbha is reluctant to leave her father, Mana Kanaka, but is persuaded to marry the king. She falls in love with him, and on her wedding day, a wise woman gives her mustard seeds to strew along the path in case she needs to find her way home.
Chapter 89
V
After the wedding, King Dridha-Varman and Queen Kadali-Garbha ride to the palace, where she is welcomed with joy. The king is devoted to her, but a jealous court lady, who had hoped to be queen, plots against Kadali-Garbha. Unable to find allies, she consults the wise woman Asoka-Mala, who, though suspecting the story is false, agrees to help for money. Asoka-Mala instructs her to bribe the barber to tell the king a fabricated secret about the queen, warning her to provide proof.
Chapter 90
VI
A wicked woman plots to frame Queen Kadali-Garbha by convincing the barber to tell King Dridha-Varman that she is a witch. The barber, motivated by money, plants seeds of doubt in the king's mind about his wife's activities in the forest, leading the king to begin secretly watching her.
Chapter 91
VII
King Dridha-Varman, influenced by a barber's tale, begins to distrust his wife Kadali-Garbha. He assigns a lady to watch her in the forest, and later restricts her to the palace gardens. Kadali-Garbha grows sad and pale, longing for her former freedom. The wicked woman conspires again with Asoka-Mala, planning to use the barber to further slander the queen. One night, Kadali-Garbha, unable to sleep from grief, goes into the gardens; the king wakes, notices her absence, and questions her when she returns.
Chapter 92
VIII
The king hears rumors that his wife Kadali-Garbha has been seen at night gathering herbs and muttering his name, leading him to suspect she is a witch trying to poison him. He searches for her but she is missing, and he orders her ladies-in-waiting to be locked up, including the jealous woman who caused the trouble.
Chapter 93
The Hermit's Daughter
The chapter tells the story of a hermit's daughter who becomes involved in a series of events that test her virtue and wisdom, ultimately leading to a resolution that highlights the power of truth and self-realization.
Chapter 94
I
Introduces Mana Kanaka, a holy man living near Ikshumati, and his daughter Kadali-Garbha, a gentle girl raised in the forest who learns from her father and befriends wild animals.
Chapter 95
II
Kadali-Garbha, now sixteen, lives a contented life alone with her father Mana Kanaka in the forest. One day, while her father is away cutting wood, she is surprised by the arrival of King Dridha-Varman, who has become separated from his hunting party. The king is struck by her beauty and innocence, but Kadali-Garbha, shy and frightened, runs to her father when he returns, feeling safe with him.
Chapter 96
III
King Dridha-Varman encounters the woodcutter Mana Kanaka and his beautiful daughter. Struck by her beauty, the king proposes marriage, promising wealth and comfort.
Chapter 97
IV
Kadali-Garbha is reluctant to leave her father, Mana Kanaka, but is persuaded to marry the king. She falls in love with him, and on her wedding day, a wise woman gives her mustard seeds to strew along the path in case she needs to find her way home.
Chapter 98
V
After the wedding, King Dridha-Varman and Queen Kadali-Garbha ride to the palace, where she is welcomed with joy. The king is devoted to her, but a jealous court lady, who had hoped to be queen, plots against Kadali-Garbha. Unable to find allies, she consults the wise woman Asoka-Mala, who, though suspecting the story is false, agrees to help for money. Asoka-Mala instructs her to bribe the barber to tell the king a fabricated secret about the queen, warning her to provide proof.
Chapter 99
VI
A wicked woman plots to frame Queen Kadali-Garbha by convincing the barber to tell King Dridha-Varman that she is a witch. The barber, motivated by money, plants seeds of doubt in the king's mind about his wife's activities in the forest, leading the king to begin secretly watching her.
Chapter 100
VII
King Dridha-Varman, influenced by a barber's tale, begins to distrust his wife Kadali-Garbha. He assigns a lady to watch her in the forest, and later restricts her to the palace gardens. Kadali-Garbha grows sad and pale, longing for her former freedom. The wicked woman conspires again with Asoka-Mala, planning to use the barber to further slander the queen. One night, Kadali-Garbha, unable to sleep from grief, goes into the gardens; the king wakes, notices her absence, and questions her when she returns.
Chapter 101
VIII
The king hears rumors that his wife Kadali-Garbha has been seen at night gathering herbs and muttering his name, leading him to suspect she is a witch trying to poison him. He searches for her but she is missing, and he orders her ladies-in-waiting to be locked up, including the jealous woman who caused the trouble.
Chapter 102
IX
Kadali-Garbha, distressed by the loss of the king's love, seeks her father Mana Kanaka, a magician, who helps her return to the palace. Mana Kanaka confronts King Dridha-Varman, revealing the slander against the queen. The king, overjoyed to see his wife, punishes the slanderers but spares them due to Kadali-Garbha's plea. Mana Kanaka refuses rewards and returns to his forest home, with the king promising to visit often.
Chapter 103
Endnotes
The endnotes provide a brief historical note on the city of Patali-Putra and mention the source of one of the tales as Raj-Yoga philosophy.
