# Raja Rasalu explained — Indian Fairy Tales > Chapter companion for Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/raja-rasalu - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters