Fated to Become Emperor

Kanchana was the daughter of Kamavarma, the king of Kanakadurga. She was an expert in astrology. After examining her own horoscope, she declared that whoever married her would become an emperor.

The king wished to conduct her wedding on a grand scale and sought the portraits of prospective suitors among the princes of the land. Kanchana insisted on seeing their horoscopes as well. After examining each one, she told her father, “None of them is fated to become an emperor.”

King Karnavarma brushed aside her reading of the horoscopes. “We would better consult your guru on that point. For now, look at these portraits and tell me whom you would like to marry.”

She chose Prince Amarasena from the neighboring kingdom. The king immediately began arranging the wedding ceremony. The royal astrologer had looked into the prince’s horoscope before the wedding took place, but he was absent during the ceremony as he was away on a pilgrimage.

When Kanchana heard that he had returned, she expressed her doubts to her father, saying, “Would he have examined the horoscope thoroughly?”

King Kamavarma reassured her, “After all, your horoscope states that whoever weds you is fated to become an emperor. So, why bother now? That is what your guru, the royal astrologer, told me.”