# The Vampire's Fourth Story explained — Vikram and the Vampire

> Chapter companion for Vikram and the Vampire by Richard F. Burton.

## What happens

The Baital tells the story of Madansena Sundari, a beautiful Baniya's daughter, who is courted by four suitors with different skills. Her father chooses the one who understands animal language. After marriage, Madansena encounters a thief and a former lover, Somdatt, but remains truthful throughout. The thief, impressed by her honesty, releases her. The story ends with the Baital asking King Vikram whose virtue was greatest, and Vikram answers 'the thief's,' causing the Baital to escape again.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Truth

Madansena's truthfulness to her husband and the thief's recognition of her honesty are central to the story.

### Gender Roles and Women's Status

The story explores the expectations of women's chastity and the consequences of a wife's actions on her husband's affection.

### Wisdom and Folly

The thief's wise decision to release Madansena contrasts with the husband's folly in ceasing to love her.

## Character check-ins

### The Baital

Narrates the fourth story to King Vikram.

### Raja Vikram

Listens to the Baital's story and answers the question, causing the Baital to escape.

### Madansena Sundari

The beautiful daughter of Hiranyadatt, who remains truthful to her husband despite past encounters.

### Hiranyadatt

A Baniya trader and father of Madansena, who arranges her marriage.

### Somdatt

A young trader who had previously fallen in love with Madansena and later releases her.

### Dharma Dhwaj

Vikram's son, present during the storytelling.

## Key lines

> Of these three, whose virtue was the greatest?

Among the husband, the lover, and the thief, who showed the most virtue?

_The Baital's question to Vikram that triggers the story's conclusion._

> The Thief's.

The thief had the greatest virtue.

_Vikram's answer, which leads to the Baital's escape._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vikram_and_the_vampire_se/chapters/the-vampire-s-fourth-story
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vikram_and_the_vampire_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vikram_and_the_vampire_se/chapters