There was nothing that the king could do to revive the elephant. Finally, in despair, the king prayed to the Lord of the quarters and that if he did not receive a solution to revive his elephant he would strike off his own head.
At that time a voice declared that the only way to revive the elephant was if a devoted wife touched the head of the elephant.
The king followed the advice of the disembodied voice that had come from the skies and he had his eldest wife touch the elephant.
The elephant did not wake up.
The king then had all his eighty thousand wives touch the head of the elephant and the elephant was still senseless.
The king was ashamed because he realized that none of his wives were devoted to him and he was in despair.
At that time, a merchant from the kingdom of Tamralipti came to this kingdom. The merchant had a servant whose name was Silavati.
Silavati heard about the troubles of the king’s elephant and she was sure that she could help the king. She asked the merchant to tell the king that she wanted to touch the head of the elephant.
After permission had been granted, Silavati stood before the senseless elephant and closed her eyes. ‘I have never thought of any other man other than my husband. So I am very sure that I can help this elephant.’ Thinking this, Silavati placed her hand on the head of the elephant.
Svetarasmi the elephant woke up and became as normal as before.
The king gave lavish gifts and presents to Silavati.
However, after this, the king did not go near any of his queens. He provided the women with what they wanted to live a life, but Ratnadhipathi did not consider any one of them as his wife anymore.
Adapted from the Kathasarith Sagara
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