Episode 3: The Poet and the Tyrant (The Legend of Vikramaditya)

In Indian folklore, King Vikramaditya represents the “Just Sword,” but he is always tested by the “Wise Word.”

• The Sword: Vikramaditya was a mighty warrior king, capable of vanquishing any physical foe.
• The Word: He is most famous for his encounter with the Vetal (the ghost in the tree). The Vetal tells him 24 complex stories. After each story, the Vetal asks a riddle. If the King knows the answer but stays silent, his head will burst; if he speaks, the Vetal escapes.
• The Victory: The King’s power meant nothing in the graveyard. Only his discernment, patience, and wisdom allowed him to complete his task.
• The Verdict: Force can capture a kingdom, but only Truth can capture a Vetal. The series of stories (Vetala Panchavimsati) proves that a King’s greatest weapon isn’t his armory, but his judgment.