Chitralekha: The Guardian of Discernment

The next day, King Bhoj returned to the golden throne. His priest advised him not to hurry: each guardian had a truth to tell. As Bhoj approached the second step, another carved figure opened her eyes.

“I am Chitralekha, the guardian of discernment,” she said. “This seat belongs only to a ruler who can recognize danger without becoming ruled by fear. Listen carefully, because my tale begins before Vikram returned to his city.”

Vikram had left Ambavati for a time of disciplined study in the northern forests. Before going, he entrusted the kingdom to his brother, King Bharthari.

In a forest near the city, a poor Brahmin lived with his wife. He had spent years in prayer and endured hunger and difficult weather. Pleased by his devotion, a divine messenger appeared and gave him a shining fruit.

“Whoever eats this fruit will receive an extraordinarily long life,” the messenger said.

The Brahmin hurried home, but his wife made him pause. “What would endless life mean if we remained hungry and had to beg each day?” she asked. “Take the fruit to the king. A just king can use a long life to help many people, and his reward may free us from poverty.”

The Brahmin brought the fruit to King Bharthari and explained its blessing. Bharthari thanked him with enough wealth and land for the couple to live securely. Then he thought of the person dearest to him and gave the fruit to his queen.

The queen promised to eat it, but secretly passed it to an officer she trusted. The officer gave it to a court performer he admired. The performer looked at the glowing fruit and thought, “My life is uncertain. The king’s life serves the whole city.” She carried it back to Bharthari.

Bharthari recognized it immediately. He asked where it had come from and followed the chain of gifts. The discovery that trusted people had hidden the truth wounded him deeply. He showed the fruit to the queen, who first claimed that she had eaten it. Faced with the truth, she had no answer.

Bharthari did not harm anyone. He ate the fruit himself, gave up the palace, and left to seek a life free from deception and attachment. With both Bharthari and Vikram away, the people feared that enemies might trouble the unguarded city. The gods therefore sent a divine guardian to watch its gates.

When Vikram completed his studies, he returned at night, eager to learn how his brother had ruled. The guardian stopped him outside the city.

“Name yourself,” the shining warrior commanded.

“I am Vikram,” he replied. “Who bars my way into my own home?”

“If you truly are Vikram, prove your courage.”

They wrestled. Vikram prevailed but spared the guardian. Pleased by his strength and restraint, the guardian explained what had happened to Bharthari. Then he gave a warning.

“Two dangerous plotters seek your kingdom. One has already defeated the other and now hides in the forest dressed as a yogi. He will invite you to a shrine and ask you to bow before the goddess. Do not obey blindly. Ask him to demonstrate first.”

Vikram entered Ambavati. Ministers and citizens rejoiced at his return. Soon afterward, exactly as the guardian had foretold, a yogi appeared at court. He offered Vikram a fruit and invited him to a solitary fire ceremony.

Vikram remembered the warning, yet he did not accuse the visitor without proof. At dusk he went alone to the forest shrine, watchful and prepared.

“Bow before the goddess,” ordered the yogi.

Vikram replied, “I have never performed this ceremony. Please show me the correct way, and I will follow.”

The yogi bent down and revealed the trap. Vikram stopped him before the hidden plan could harm anyone. The goddess appeared and praised Vikram’s courage and clear judgment. She offered him a blessing.

Vikram did not ask for treasure or a longer life. He asked for two magical helpers—Agni Vetala and Koyala Vetala—who could come when called and assist him in protecting others. The goddess granted the request, and the two spirits promised to answer whenever Vikram remembered them in a moment of need.

Chitralekha turned to King Bhoj. “Vikram listened to a warning but still looked for truth. He entered danger without arrogance, exposed deception with patience, and used the goddess’s gift for future service. Can you distinguish suspicion from proof and courage from carelessness?”

King Bhoj stepped back. “I must learn to pause, observe, and judge fairly,” he said.

Moral: Listen closely, question fairly, and do not let hurt silence your judgment.