# A Lac of Rupees for a Bit of Advice explained — Indian Fairy Tales

> Chapter companion for Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs.

## What happens

A poor blind Brahman and his wife, dependent on their son, send him to seek fortune in another country. He becomes caretaker of a golden temple for a generous king. His wife later finds him and receives a scrap of paper with three pieces of advice, which she sells to the prince for a lac of rupees. The prince is banished by his father for the purchase, but the advice saves his life when a host tries to kill him, helps him survive a visit to his sister's kingdom, and ultimately leads to reconciliation with his blind parents and his father's regret.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cunning and Wisdom

The three pieces of advice embody practical wisdom that saves the prince's life and leads to his success.

### Greed and Its Consequences

The host's greed to kill the prince for his possessions is thwarted by the prince's vigilance, and the merchant's greed to kill the dog leads to his regret.

### Filial Duty and Family Loyalty

The Brahman's concern for his parents and the prince's eventual reconciliation with his blind parents highlight the theme of family loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Bidpai

The poor blind Brahman who becomes caretaker of the golden temple and writes the three pieces of advice.

### Brahmani

The Brahman's wife who sells the advice paper to the prince for a lac of rupees.

### Prince Rasalu

The prince who buys the advice, is banished, and is saved by following the advice.

### Raja Sarkap

The king who banishes his son for buying the advice, later becomes blind from weeping and is healed by his son.

## Key lines

> First, If a person is travelling and reaches any strange place at night, let him be careful where he puts up, and not close his eyes in sleep, lest he close them in death.

When traveling and staying overnight in an unfamiliar place, be cautious and stay awake to avoid being killed.

_This advice saves the prince from being murdered by his host._

> Secondly, If a man has a married sister, and visits her in great pomp, she will receive him for the sake of what she can obtain from him; but if he comes to her in poverty, she will frown on him and disown him.

A sister will welcome a brother who arrives wealthy for his gifts, but will reject him if he comes poor.

_The prince experiences this when he first visits his sister in disguise and is poorly treated._

> Thirdly, If a man has to do any work, he must do it himself, and do it with might and without fear.

One should personally undertake tasks with full effort and courage, not relying on others.

_This advice guides the prince in his later actions._

## Links

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