The Story of Vasavadatta

The Story of Vasavadatta

 Once upon a time, in the prosperous kingdom of Chintamani, lived a handsome and charming prince named Kandarpa Ketu. One night, he had a dream of an enchanting maiden whose beauty bewitched him. Determined to find her, he decided to set out on a quest to search for this vision of loveliness. His loyal friend, Makaranda, tried to dissuade him, arguing that venturing into the wilderness without a clear goal was foolish. However, Kandarpa Ketu believed that this maiden had been his companion in many lifetimes and was convinced that they were destined to be united once again.

Rather than let his friend depart alone, Makaranda decided to accompany Kandarpa Ketu on his quest. They left the capital and embarked on their journey, trusting that fate would guide them. As they travelled, they eventually found themselves resting under the shade of a tree by the banks of the Narmada River. It was here that Kandarpa Ketu overheard a conversation between a pair of lovebirds perched in the branches above. The male bird was praising the beauty and virtues of Vasavadatta, the daughter of King Shringarashekhara of Kusumapura.

The bird revealed that Vasavadatta, too, had dreamt of a charming prince who had captured her heart. She had confided in her friend Tamalika, despairing that she might never meet him. The lovebird, determined to help, had flown across the land in search of this prince and now led Kandarpa Ketu to Tamalika. With Tamalika's help, the group made their way to Kusumapura, where she arranged for Kandarpa Ketu to meet Vasavadatta.

When they met, Kandarpa Ketu and Vasavadatta instantly recognized each other from their dreams. Their joy, however, was short-lived. Kandarpa Ketu learned that Vasavadatta’s father had arranged for her to marry Pushpaketu, the son of Vijayaketu, chief of the Vidyadharas, the very next morning. Desperate, Kandarpa Ketu and Vasavadatta fled to the Vindhya mountains on a magic steed, leaving Makaranda behind in Kusumapura.

Upon reaching the Vindhya mountains, the exhausted lovers fell asleep. When Kandarpa Ketu awoke, he was horrified to find Vasavadatta missing. Distraught and grief-stricken, he searched for her in vain and, in his despair, decided to end his life. As he was about to drown himself, a voice from the sky promised that he would be reunited with Vasavadatta. Clinging to this hope, Kandarpa Ketu wandered the forest for months, lovelorn and heartbroken.

One day, he stumbled upon a stone statue that bore an uncanny resemblance to Vasavadatta. He touched the statue, and miraculously, it transformed into the living, breathing Vasavadatta. She then recounted her ordeal. After waking up hungry in the forest, she searched for wild fruits and was caught between two chieftains who, smitten by her beauty, fought over her. She managed to escape but accidentally disturbed an ascetic’s penance. The ascetic, angered by her intrusion and her distracting beauty, cursed her to turn it into stone, only to be revived by the touch of her destined husband.

Kandarpa Ketu’s touch brought her back to life, confirming their bond from previous lifetimes. Her father, King Shringarashekhara, acknowledged their destiny and gave his blessing for their marriage. The couple returned to Kandarpa Ketu’s kingdom, where they lived happily ever after, their love transcending lifetimes.