Princess Anangarati & The Four Craftsmen

For the ninth time, Emperor Vikramaditya returned to the dark cemetery, shouldered the corpse Betal, and set out in silence. The spirit began another riddle of dharma and craft.

In the great city of Avanti, King Mahasena had a daughter named Princess Anangarati, celebrated throughout Aryavarta for her peerless beauty, sharp wit, and royal poise.

Princess Anangarati solemnly declared: 'I shall wed only that man who possesses peerless, miraculous mastery in his supreme craft or discipline!'

The 1st suitor was a master weaver who could weave celestial, luminous silks so fine they passed through a signet ring, bestowing radiant health upon the wearer.

The 2nd suitor was an omniscient seer and linguist who understood the speech of all birds and beasts, accurately perceiving hidden past and future destinies.

The 3rd suitor was an aerial mechanist and architect who created winged wooden flying chariots (*Vimanas*) capable of soaring through the skies at the speed of thought.

The 4th suitor was an invincible Kshatriya warrior, master of all martial arts, archery, and sword combat, capable of vanquishing enemy armies to defend the realm.

The weaver unfurled a shimmering celestial fabric that dynamically shifted its vibrant hues with the passing hours of the day, leaving the assembly spellbound.

Listening to the chirping of palace doves, the astrologer accurately revealed the location of an ancient buried treasure beneath the royal court.

The aerial architect piloted his flying chariot high above the golden spires of Avanti, soaring effortlessly through the clouds before landing with flawless precision.

The Kshatriya warrior demonstrated breathtaking combat prowess, splitting flying arrows mid-air and parrying attacks from multiple armed combatants with ease.

Princess Anangarati walked amidst the palace lotus fountains in deep contemplation, marveling at how each of the four youths had performed miracles of skill.

King Mahasena consulted his council of ministers: 'All four suitors have demonstrated supernatural genius. To whom does the hand of my daughter rightfully belong?'

The King reconvened the royal assembly, inviting each of the four suitors to present his ultimate claim for the hand of Princess Anangarati.

The Weaver asserted: 'My loom provides kings and deities with celestial beauty, youth, and protection against disease. The princess rightfully belongs to me!'

The Astrologer claimed: 'My foresight steers the realm away from unseen catastrophes and guides the state. I am the true master of her destiny!'

The Aerial Architect declared: 'My flying chariot annihilates distance and barriers, making the kingdom invincible across the skies. The maiden is mine!'

The Kshatriya Warrior proclaimed with fierce conviction: 'However great crafts and foresight may be, without the warrior's blade to defend them, enemies will destroy all in an instant! Only martial valor can protect a royal maiden and her realm!'

A profound silence descended over the court of Avanti. King Mahasena sat motionless, unable to discern which suitor held the supreme dharmic right.

Pausing the narrative amidst the eerie midnight fog, Betal leaned into Vikramaditya's ear and posed the riddle of royal alliance.

Betal hissed: 'Judge according to the sacred Shastras and the eternal laws of Rajadharma!'

Emperor Vikramaditya delivered his sovereign verdict: 'Princess Anangarati is of royal Kshatriya blood. The weaver, the astrologer, and the aerial mechanist are master artisans and scholars who serve society with their tools. But a royal maiden can only rightfully wed the Kshatriya warrior who shares her royal varna, upholds Rajadharma, and is ready to lay down his life on the battlefield to defend her realm! Therefore, Anangarati belongs to the Kshatriya Swordsman!'

The spoken truth broke the king's vow of silence! With a mocking cackle, Betal dissolved into smoke and soared back toward the Shinshapa tree.

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.