A Dramatic Marriage
Long long ago a wealthy man lived in the city of Pataliputra. He had a son named Prasad. Prasad was as virtuous as he was courageous. Everybody in the city liked him. And it was in Prasad's nature to be helpful to all. "My boy, it is time for you to get married," one day Prasad's father told him. "Father, that will mean I will be burdened with new responsibilities. I wish to remain free for a little longer. I have a cherished desire; that is to go out on travel through the country. If you allow me, I will now set out on the journey," said Prasad. "Very well, my son, but return as soon as possible," said the father. Prasad embarked on his journey. One day he met an old Brahmin on the bank of river Narmada. The old man took Prasad to his own house and proved hospitable. Prasad felt grateful to him. "Young man, will you do me a service? I shall divulge my wish only after you take an oath telling me that you shall oblige me," said the old man. Prasad took the oath. "You have to do whatever I ask you to do for a day- only one day. I will take you to the other side of the river. A wealthy man has a beautiful daughter, his only child.
He has more or less agreed to marry his daughter to my son, but he will give his final decision only after he sees my son. Let me be frank with you: My son is as ugly as you are handsome. He is also not of a sound mind. I will introduce you to the bride's father as my son. After the marriage is performed, we will return with the bride. On the riverbank, my son will be waiting to take your place. You just slip away. Please take care so that the bride does not see your face distinctly," proposed the old man. Prasad felt extremely sad at the proposal. But he had placed himself under oath to do according to the old man's wish. The next day they met the bride's father. The gentleman was immensely pleased with talking to Prasad. The bride too, through her window, saw him and was delighted. There was an auspicious hour early in the night. It was decided to perform the marriage during that hour. In the evening Prasad went to the river for bathing. Suddenly a giant caught him and prepared to eat him up. "Please wait. I am under oath to serve a Brahmin. Once my work is done, I will return to you. That will be at midnight," said Prasad. Somehow the giant trusted Prasad. He left him and waited there. After the marriage, the bride and the bridegroom retired int a room. The bride was under a veil. She was surprised that Prasad showed no interest to talk to her and always hid his face. Soon he pretended to lie asleep. The bride did the same. At midnight Prasad got off the bed and walked out. His conduct seemed mysterious to the bride.
She followed him. Prasad reached the river bank. The giant was happy to see him. "I have never known another truthful man like you. By eating you, I will be purified!" said the giant. "Thank you very much, O giant you too are a good-natured creature. You would not have allowed me to go to fulfill my commitment otherwise, well, you can eat me up now," But the bride sprang up between her husband and the giant and said, "You cannot eat him. We have just got married!" "Sweet little girl, how can I afford to take into consideration such things? I am a giant. I have to eat a human being once in a while," said the giant. "If that is the case, then eat me in lieu of him. I do not want to live losing my husband within hours of my marriage," said the girl firmly. "I don't eat women. But I can tell you, there should be no difficulty in living without a husband! You can beg and live!" "I cannot beg," declared the bride. The giant paused for a moment. He then said, "Let me confide to you that I am no ordinary giant. I have some supernatural powers.
I can grant you a boon. Here it is: If anybody refuses to give you anything you ask of him, his head will split! If this happens once or twice, everybody will be too eager to give you whatever you need." "Thanks. Now let me begin by asking you what I need: I need my husband!" said the bride. The giant was taken aback. "My God! How clever you are! All right. I accept defeat. I wish you the best. Take your husband and go home," said the giant. Prasad and his bride were back to home. Prasad had been charmed by the courage and wit of his wife. Still, he was reluctant to talk to her. How can he be free with one whom he was going to desert in a few hours? In the morning the old man left with Prasad and the bride for his village on the other side of the river. His son was waiting on the river bank, donning the dress of a bridegroom. The old man had kept two boats ready. At a hint from him, Prasad boarded one of the two boats. The old man led his son and bride to the other boat. The villainous old man, in order to get rid of Prasad forever, had made a contract with the boatman of Prasad's boat. He was to lead the boat into a dangerous whirlpool. The boat would sink. Prasad would be drowned. The boatman of course knew how to cut through the whirlpool. Prasad's boatman acted according to the contract. The bride, under her veil, did not know anything about this. But, once on the other side of the bank, she stole a look at her companion and demanded the old man, "Where is my husband?"
"He is walking with you," said the old man, showing his son! Suddenly the bride understood the conspiracy. She shouted at the peak of her voice: "What! How dare you deceive me in this fashion? Do you think there is no justice, no truth in this world? Very well. I proceed to the king's court right now!" The guilty old man and his son got nervous. "My daughter, I am afraid, you have lost the balance of your mind. Better go back to your father's house," said the old man. "Let it be so. But I am not going to board your boat!" said the bride. She then ran into the nearest house. At her cry, villagers gathered around her. The old man and his son shrank away and took to their heels. The villagers arranged for the bride's return to her father. Prasad struggled against the current and ultimately succeeded in coming ashore. "Death would have been preferable to the life of a deceitful man. I have done great injustice to the bride and her father. I must go and beg to be punished by the gentleman, now that I have no obligation towards the old man who was trying to kill me," he thought and soon reached the bride's house. Lo and behold, there stood his bride, in front of her house! They were united, to their great joy and the joy of the bride's father. And the joy was no less with Prasad's father when he returned home with his bride.
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