The Eighteenth Statue: Taravati & The City of Three Riddles

On the eighteenth dawn in Dharanagari palace, morning sunlight streamed across the sandstone colonnade onto the thirty-two-step golden throne.

Draped in sacred saffron silks, King Bhoja approached the eighteenth step of the golden throne with solemn, reverent stride.

As King Bhoja lifted his right foot toward the eighteenth step, the marble dais erupted with brilliant diamond-starlight and ruby-golden radiance!

The eighteenth carved bronze statue—**Taravati (तारावती)**—opened her glowing diamond-starlight eyes, laughing with melodious temple-bell chime!

King Bhoja halted in deep reverence with folded hands, gazing in awe at the living celestial bronze maiden holding a golden vessel and trident staff.

Taravati raised the miraculous golden vessel, speaking with sovereign authority:

Disguised as a wandering Rajput warrior, Vikramaditya arrived outside the gloomy fortified gates of Chandravati at twilight.

The streets were completely deserted, heavy iron chains bolted across every door, with terrified citizens peering through shuttered lattices.

Inside a dimly lit tavern, an aged innkeeper explained how a terrifying four-armed shadow demon from the cremation ground demanded a human sacrifice every dark-moon night unless three impossible riddles were answered!

The local King wept in his audience hall, unable to find a single champion willing to face the demon in the stormy cremation ground.

Vikramaditya rose in the court with lion-like authority: *"While a servant of Dharma lives, no innocent youth shall perish! I shall stand the midnight vigil in the cremation ground tonight!"*

Under pitch-black storm clouds and crashing lightning, Vikramaditya walked alone toward the desolate cremation ground with his Wootz steel blade.

Surrounded by ancient twisted banyan trees, the desolate cremation ground echoed with howling gale-force winds and torrential rain whipping across glowing funeral embers.

Vikramaditya sat in deep yogic meditation beside a crackling funeral pyre, enveloped in an aura of impenetrable golden warrior serenity.

At the stroke of midnight, lightning split the sky, and from the swirling smoke emerged a towering four-armed shadow demon with glowing crimson eyes and a flaming iron club!

The demon roared with mocking laughter, brandishing his fiery club: *"Mortal! Answer my three cosmic riddles or be devoured in the flames!"*

Vikramaditya rose slowly, leaning on his sword with serene, unshakeable composure and blazing saffron tilak.

Amidst flashing lightning and storm clouds, the cosmic dialogue between the shadow spirit and the mortal Emperor commenced!

The demon posed the **First Riddle**: *"What travels faster than the swiftest gale and cannot be trapped in any iron cage?"*

Vikramaditya smiled: *"It is the **human mind (Manas)**! In a single heartbeat it crosses galaxies, and no iron chains can ever bind it!"*

The demon posed the **Second Riddle**: *"What burns hotter than the fiercest wildfire, yet leaves zero ash behind?"*

Vikramaditya answered: *"It is the **hidden remorse and grief (Shoka)** in a repentant heart! It consumes the soul from within, leaving zero ash behind!"*

The demon posed the **Third Riddle**: *"What is the only treasure in the universe that multiplies when given away, and turns to poison when hoarded?"*

Vikramaditya proclaimed with supreme certainty: *"It is **sacred wisdom and selfless charity (Vidya & Dana)**! The more it is bestowed upon others, the more it multiplies into infinity!"*

Upon hearing the third answer, the demonic curse shattered, and the creature was transfigured into the radiant celestial Yaksha guardian Nishi!

The grateful Yaksha bowed before the Emperor, presenting the miraculous **Akshaya Suvarna-Patra**—an inexhaustible golden vessel that endlessly produced whatever food or gold its bearer wished!

At sunrise, the fortified gates of Chandravati swung open, and joyful citizens showered flower petals upon their savior.

Outside the city gate, a shivering, destitute beggar wrapped in rags wept with his three starving children, begging for a single crust of bread.

Without a second's hesitation, Vikramaditya placed the miraculous wish-granting vessel directly into the beggar's trembling hands: *"Use this sacred vessel to feed your children and every hungry traveler in this realm forever!"*

Fragrant sweet rice and golden fruits overflowed endlessly from the vessel; the weeping beggar fed his children as the entire kingdom bowed in awe.

Back in the grand audience hall of Dharanagari, the living statue Taravati looked directly into King Bhoja's eyes with penetrating diamond-starlight radiance.

Taravati delivered her decisive challenge:

King Bhoja lowered his head in deep humility and introspection:

King Bhoja stepped down from the eighteenth step, decreeing nocturnal citizen protection squads, free shelter homes, and public charity kitchens established across all cities of Malwa.

Public food distribution trusts and nocturnal welfare patrols were established throughout the kingdom.

Twilight conches echoed across Dharanagari as Taravati smiled warmly and froze back into silent speculum bronze. **The eighteenth day of *Singhasan Battisi* had concluded!**

The remaining fourteen celestial statues gleamed in the evening torchlight, awaiting the dawn of the nineteenth test.

King Bhoja departed the throne hall in quiet contemplation, inspired by the fearless charity of Emperor Vikramaditya.