The Katha Sarith Sagara tells the stories that a Vetala narrated to King Trivikramasena and these stories would be the base of the Vikram-Vetal stories that we hear even now.
This is one of the stories of King Yasahketu and his minister Dirghadarsin that the Vetata narrated to king Trivikamasena.
The kingdom of Anga had a king by name Yasahketu. The king had an extraordinarily able minister by name of Dirghadarsin. The king set out on a conquest of all the kingdoms around him and thanks to the guidance of his minister Dirghadarsin.
But once the king had completed all his conquests, the king wanted some break from ruling the kingdom.
So the king placed his trusted minister in charge of the entire kingdom and the king indulged in pleasures all the time.
Dirghadarsin was sad that the king was not willing to take care of his duties, but as the king’s minister and being in charge of the subjects of the kingdom of Anga, the minister realized that he could not shirk from his responsibilities.
So the minister carried out all the duties of the king.
But unfortunately for the minister, there was greater trouble for him.
The common people could no longer see the king and talk to him, so the strong rumour spread through the kingdom - that the minister Dirghadarsin had allowed the king to indulge in his pleasures so that the minister could enjoy all the powers of the king.
The rumour spread all over the kingdom and soon the words reached the ears of the minister himself.
The minister was shocked and did not know what to do.
At that time, the minister went to his wise wife Medhavati. “I am carrying out my duties and yet the people feel that I have done all this to take over the kingdom.” The minister looked desperate. “What do I do to dispel this rumour?”
Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara
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