Baital continued, “Tell me which hand was entitled to receive the paternal oblations. If you do not answer my question knowingly, I will split your head into pieces.” Vikramaditya replied, “The one who brings up a child has the right to become a father. Nobody becomes a father by just giving birth to a child. As in this case, the thief was only accountable for the young man’s birth, whereas the husband was his real father as he had actually brought up the boy. He had taken care of the boy. Therefore, it was the third hand which was actually entitled to receive paternal oblations.” Baital exclaimed, “Vikram, you have once again proved your merit. But you have not kept quiet, so I am flying away to my tree.” Thus, Baital flew off with King Vikramaditya following in hot pursuit.
The Real Father
