The Thousand-Petalled Lotus - Vocabulary Flashcards

• King Vikram is depicted as an ideal king known for:

  • Generosity

  • Courage

  • Justice

  • Support for scholars and people of learning

• Presence in Legends:

  • Appears in stories such as Baital Pachisi and Singhasan Battisi

  • Some scholars believe he may not have been a real person due to the fantastical nature of the stories.

The King and the Lotus

• King Vikram goes hunting and chases a wild boar into the forest, becoming lost.

• He finds a lake and sees a sad, thin young man sitting on the steps.

• The young man appears burdened by sorrow and seeks help.

• Vikram offers assistance and learns the young man is Ajit Deh, son of King Jaswant Deh of Patan.

Ajit Deh's Story

• Ajit Deh is drawn to sacred texts and prayer instead of the luxurious court life.

• He embarked on a pilgrimage and discovered the lake, noticing a beautiful lotus.

  • The lotus has:

  • A thousand petals

  • Colors of Indra's bow

  • A scent sweeter than jasmine

• Every time he tries to pluck the lotus, it sinks back into the water.

King Vikram's Help

• Vikram decides to stay and assist Ajit Deh.

• When the lotus appears again, Vikram is struck by its beauty and jumps into the lake with a prayer.

• He unexpectedly finds himself in a beautiful city with a towering palace.

• In a secluded garden with wondrous flowers and fruit, he discovers another lake filled with beautiful lotuses.

• As he attempts to pluck a lotus, guards rush to attack him, but he fights them off.

The Beautiful Lady

• A beautiful lady questions Vikram about how he entered her city, where no mortal is allowed.

• Vikram explains his vow to help those in need, particularly Ajit Deh's desire for the lotus.

• The lady grants him permission to pluck a lotus, acknowledging his kindness and bravery, and offers him the palace's wealth.

Confronting the Prince

• Vikram graciously rejects the lady's offer, stating he only sought the lotus for Ajit Deh.

• He insists Ajit Deh can access the underwater palace with courage and selflessness, affirming nothing is impossible for the brave.

• The lady gives Vikram a hundred blossoms to take back.

• Vikram swims back to the surface with the flowers.

The Prince's Jealousy

• Instead of gratitude, Ajit Deh feels jealousy towards Vikram.

• He believes Vikram only gained access to the lady's palace because he revealed the lotus's existence.

The Moral of the Story

• King Vikram presents Ajit Deh with the flowers, declaring they are all his.

• He leaves the humbled prince and rides away on his horse, highlighting a lesson in humility and the essence of true generosity.