Best of Vikram-Baital Tales

Baital started telling King Vikramaditya another story as he walked towards his kingdom:Long ago, there was a city known as Malaya Desh. Its king was Samarjeet. He was a learned man and a courageous warrior. One day, a courtier named Krishnanand said to the King, “Sir, in our kingdom lives a very wealthy merchant called […]

Baital began to narrate another tale as Vikramaditya was carrying him:Once, the prince of Benaras, Brajmukut, went hunting with his friend Ratanraj. While chasing a deer, Brajmukut went far ahead leaving his friend behind. He saw a temple and got down from his horse to take rest. Just then, a beautiful princess entered the temple

As King Vikramaditya was walking towards his kingdom with the corpse, Baital asked him, “What is it in a man that makes him higher than the others?” King Vikramaditya did not reply. Baital spoke again, “Listen to my story related to this and answer my question.” Saying so, Baital began to tell the story which

Once again, King Vikramaditya pulled down the corpse, put it on his shoulder and set out for his kingdom. After some time, Baital said to King Vikramaditya, “Remain quiet if you want to. But I will tell you a story to make the journey short and comfortable.” Nevertheless, Baital began to tell a new story

King Vikramaditya took down the corpse and hanging it on his shoulder began walking. Baital, as usual, could not keep quiet. So, he started his story as follows:There was a kingdom called Gandhar. Its King was a law-abiding man. One of the laws was that it was illegal for a man to get involved with

King Vikramaditya was carrying the corpse back when Baital spoke. He said to King Vikramaditya, “I will tell you a story again to pass the time.” So, Baital told a story:There was a kingdom called Punyapur which was ruled by King Virbhadra. He had a loyal minister whose name was Satyamani. One day, Satyamani came

King Vikramaditya reached the tree, pulled down the dead body and putting it on his shoulder proceeded towards his kingdom. Baital said to him, “I will tell you a story to pass the time. Take note and reply to my questions honestly.” Then Baital told the story as follows:In the kingdom of Awanti lived a

King Vikramaditya reached the peepal tree. He pulled down the corpse again and put it on his shoulder. Then he started walking. On the way, Baital said to King Vikramaditya, “I really admire your courage and perseverance. I will tell you a story. After listening to the story, answer my questions. If you do not,

King Vikramaditya reached the peepal tree. He pulled down the corpse again and put it on his shoulder. Then he started walking. On the way, Baital said to King Vikramaditya, “I really admire your courage and perseverance. I will tell you a story. After listening to the story, answer my questions. If you do not,

A furious King Vikramaditya followed Baital to the peepal tree. He pulled down the corpse and put it on his shoulder. Then he started walking. On the way, Baital said to him, “Vikram, listen to the story I am going to tell you.” Saying so, Baital began to tell the story as follows: Once, there

King Vikramaditya cautiously approached the peepal tree. The corpse was hanging upside down as usual. He took the corpse down. Placing it on his shoulder he marched towards his kingdom. On the way, Baital the ghost narrated his next story as follows:There was a beautiful princess named Chandralekha in the kingdom of Magadha. Many princes

One day, an old man came to a King’s court accompanied by his two blind sons. He said, “Your Highness! I have suffered huge losses in business. I would be highly obliged if you could lend me one thousand gold coins. I will leave my sons with you as guarantee. My sons are blind but

Long ago, there lived a king named Vikramaditya who ruled over Ujjain. He was the most famous and fearless of all the rulers of his time.One day, he was presiding over his court as usual when a hermit came there. He offered a fruit to the King. According to the King, the fruit had been