Indian Fairy Tales · Chapter
Raja Rasalu explained
Raja Rasalu, born to Raja Salabhan and Queen Lona, is hidden in an underground palace for twelve years due to a prophecy that his parents would die if they saw his face before that time.
What happens
Raja Rasalu, born to Raja Salabhan and Queen Lona, is hidden in an underground palace for twelve years due to a prophecy that his parents would die if they saw his face before that time. After eleven years, he grows restless and rides out into the world, breaking pitchers at a well and confronting his father, who turns away in fear. Spurned, Rasalu sets off to play chaupur with the dreaded King Sarkap. Along the way, he shelters with a headless corpse (Sarkap's brother) who advises him to make dice from bones to counter Sarkap's enchanted dice. He also rescues a cricket from a fire, receiving a grateful feeler. At Sarkap's court, Rasalu uses his own dice and a kitten to outwit Sarkap's rat, winning back his arms and horse, then Sarkap's kingdom and head. He spares Sarkap on condition of a vow, takes the newborn princess Kokilan as his wife, and returns after twelve years to marry her.
Themes in this chapter
Cunning and Wisdom
Rasalu uses the headless corpse's advice to make dice from bones, and employs a kitten to frighten Sarkap's rat, demonstrating cleverness over brute force.
Gratitude and Ingratitude
The cricket shows gratitude by giving Rasalu a feeler after he rescues it from the fire, contrasting with the ingratitude of Rasalu's parents who spurn him.
Justice and Karma
Rasalu wins back his possessions and spares Sarkap after a vow, restoring balance and punishing the unjust king's cruelty.
Love and Destiny
Rasalu's betrothal to the newborn Kokilan and his return after twelve years to marry her fulfills a destined union.
Characters to notice
- Salabhan
Raja Salabhan, father of Rasalu, hides his son for twelve years due to a prophecy and later turns away in fear when Rasalu appears.
- Lona
Queen Lona, mother of Rasalu, weeps and prays for a child, then follows the Jogis' instructions to hide her son; she comforts Rasalu as he departs.
- Prince Rasalu
The protagonist, born under a prophecy, raised in an underground palace, rides out to challenge King Sarkap at chaupur, showing courage and compassion.
- Bhaunr
Rasalu's faithful Arab steed, born the same day as Rasalu, who gives advice during the chaupur game.
- Raja Sarkap
The antagonist king who plays chaupur for heads; he loses to Rasalu and is spared after vowing never to play for another's head.
- Kokilan
Newborn daughter of Raja Sarkap, given to Rasalu as his future wife; he places her in an underground palace and marries her after twelve years.
- Dhol Raja
The rat that Sarkap uses to cheat at chaupur; he is frightened by Rasalu's kitten and refuses to come.
Key passages
“I came to greet thee, King, and not to harm thee! What have I done that thou shouldst turn away? Sceptre and empire have no power to charm me— I go to seek a worthier prize than they!”
Rasalu declares he came only to pay respects, not to cause harm, and that he seeks a greater challenge than ruling a kingdom.
Rasalu's defiant speech to his father after being ignored.
“Weep not, dear Prince! I shall not eat my bread Of stranger hands, nor to strange stall be led. Take thy right hand, and place it as I said.”
Rasalu's horse Bhaunr reassures him and gives a cryptic instruction to win the game.
The horse's advice during the chaupur match.
“On earth I was even as thou, My turban awry like a king, My head with the highest, I trow, Having my fun and my fling, Fighting my foes like a brave, Living my life with a swing. And, now I am dead, Sins, heavy as lead, Will give me no rest in my grave!”
The headless corpse explains that he was once a king like Rasalu, but his sins now prevent him from resting in peace.
The corpse's lament about his past life and current torment.
“Oh moulded pieces! favour me today! For sooth this is a man with whom I play. No paltry risk—but life and death at stake; As Sarkap does, so do, for Sarkap's sake!”
Sarkap calls upon his dice to help him win, as the game is a matter of life and death.
Sarkap's invocation to his enchanted dice during the final game.
