Somaprabha & The Three Prodigies

For the fifth time, King Vikramaditya trudged through the haunted cremation grounds under the ink-black sky. From his shoulders, the eerie spirit Betal began another riddle.

In the glorious city of Pataliputra lived Hariswami, the chief minister of justice. His daughter Somaprabha was famed throughout Aryavarta for her peerless beauty and sharp intellect.

Determined to fulfill her wish, Hariswami sought out men of extraordinary gifts, while news of the maiden's vow spread to distant lands.

The first suitor arrived—a master mechanist who could craft a magical wooden chariot (*Vimana*) capable of flying across the clouds at the speed of thought.

The second suitor was an omniscient seer endowed with divine sight, able to perceive any hidden person or secret in the universe upon closing his eyes.

The third suitor was an invincible warrior whose arrows never missed their mark, possessing the valor to confront gods and demons alike in mortal combat.

Before a decision could be made, calamity struck! The dreadful demon Dhoomrasikha descended in a black whirlwind, snatched Somaprabha, and vanished into the stormy heavens.

Hariswami collapsed in grief. With no trace of the abductor or where his daughter had been taken, the household was plunged into darkness.

Stepping forward, the omniscient seer entered deep meditation. Within moments, the cosmic veil lifted before his divine sight.

The mechanist sprang into action. He unveiled his grand aerial chariot, ready to bridge the impossible distance across Aryavarta.

The three suitors set aside rivalry and forged an alliance of genius, united by a singular purpose to rescue Somaprabha.

Rushing faster than the storm winds, the flying chariot cleaved through cloudscapes and towering crags toward the demon's hidden lair.

Within mere hours, the Vimana landed outside the forbidding entrance of Dhoomrasikha’s mountain fortress.

Sensing intruders, Dhoomrasikha charged out with a deafening roar, his iron mace ready to crush the suitors to dust.

While the others shielded the chariot, the archer stood his ground alone in the direct path of the colossal beast, staring into the face of death.

With unerring precision, the archer unleashed a barrage of blazing shafts that shattered the demon’s armor and pierced his blackened heart.

The suitors rushed into the gloomy cavern, breaking her bonds. Somaprabha looked upon her rescuers with profound relief and wonder.

Boarding the magical chariot once more, they flew across Aryavarta and returned in glory to the rejoicing capital.

Hariswami held his beloved daughter in tearful joy. The king and ministers hailed the three prodigies for accomplishing the impossible.

A profound dilemma engulfed the court as each suitor laid claim to the maiden's hand based on his indispensable contribution.

Betal paused the tale in the dark forest and challenged the silent emperor.

Bound by duty and justice, the righteous King Vikramaditya broke his silence to deliver an unassailable verdict.

The riddle was solved, but the king’s spoken words shattered the vow of silence! With a cackle, Betal slipped away and vanished back into the night.

Alone under the ink-black sky of the moonless night, Emperor Vikramaditya turned back into the haunted forest, fearless and determined to capture the spirit once more.