Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Bhadrabahu and his Clever Minister Mantragupta - Part Four


That night, Mantragupta took a bamboo with him and inside the bamboo, Mantragupta concealed a snake. 

Mantragupta went to the elephant trainer’s house that night and had a lavish feast in the elephant trainer’s house.

When the elephant trainer and his wife were arranging for the feast, Mantragupta went into the place where the elephant was kept and Mantragupta was able to do this after making sure that he was not seen. 

Mantragupta left the bamboo with the snake near the elephant and just walked away from there after that.

Mantragupta had his lavish feast and left for his own home for the night. After that, Mantragupta and his disciples left the kingdom and went back to their own kingdom.

Meanwhile back at the elephant trainer’s house, the snake had bitten the elephant.

The elephant trainer and the king were both shocked to see that the strong and powerful elephant had fallen dead.



When Mantragupta was back in the city, Bhadrabahu was thrilled. 

Under encouragement of his minister, Bhadrabahu sent an ambassador to the kingdom of Varanasi to ask for the hand of Anangalila.

This time the king of Varanasi knew that he was no match for Bhadrabahu in a battle if Bhadrabahu was angry with him.

So Bhadrabahu happily married Anangalila with the permission of the king of Varanasi, all thanks to Mantragupta.

Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara


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