Kathāsaritsāgare Śaśāṅkavatī-lambake Ekādaśa-taraṅgaḥ. Caturtho Vetālaḥ. Reinterpreted
Blood for the Throne: the king Śūdraka and his subject Vīravara. King Trivikramasena went again at night to the cremation ground near the śiṃśapā tree. Finding the vetāla laughing, he lifted the corpse-spirit onto his shoulder without fear and set off in silence. As they moved, the vetāla, dwelling in the dark, spoke: “King, why this toil for that wretched mendicant? Your effort is fruitless. Listen to an entertaining tale as we go.” “There is a city on earth called Śobhāvatī, famed for truth. There ruled a mighty king named Śūdraka, whose valor blazed night and day, fanned by the yak-tails of captive enemy maidens. The earth prospered so greatly in his reign that it seemed to forget even kings like Rāma. One day a brāhmin from Mālava, a noble hero named Vīravara, came seeking service. His household was small: his wife Dharmavatī, a brave son, and a daughter Vīravatī. His ‘equipment’ for service was a little dagger at his waist, a fair shield in one hand, and his open palm ...