Sundarasimha: A Tale of Courage and Wisdom
Jaisimha, the ruler of Jagatjalapuri, had two Queens; both were not blessed with a child. The elder Queen wished for the King to adopt her brother’s son, Madivana, as the heir apparent. In contrast, the younger Queen suggested her own brother’s son, Sundarasimha, for the throne.
The Dilemma
Faced with this predicament, the King could not risk displeasing either Queen, yet he had to choose a successor. A minister proposed a solution, suggesting a test to determine the heir based on merit. The King and the Queens agreed to abide by the results of the test.
The Test Begins
The minister presented the proposition to Madivana and advised him to see the world before potentially ascending the throne. Madivana was given some money, a grand chariot, and sent on his way. However, he encountered a gang of bandits who robbed him and demanded a ransom for his release. Despite being the potential future king, Madivana found himself helpless against the bandits and could provide no information about their hideout.
Sundarasimha’s Strategy
Next, it was Sundarasimha’s turn. He left for his journey in a golden chariot with a bag full of gold coins. Similar to Madivana, Sundarasimha too was ambushed by the bandits. However, he cunningly convinced the bandits that he was on their side, gaining their trust. Sundarasimha tricked the bandits into revealing their secret hideout, thus allowing his secret ally, the charioteer, to inform the King of their location.
A Triumphant Victory
The unsuspecting bandits were overpowered by the King’s soldiers and brought before the King. Through his wit and courage, Sundarasimha exposed the bandits and saved the kingdom from further threat. He was lauded for his valour in the court.
The Rightful Heir
Recognizing the contrast in how Madivana and Sundarasimha handled the trials, the minister declared Sundarasimha the rightful heir-apparent for his display of intelligence and courage. The royal family accepted this judgement, thereby adopting Sundarasimha. In the following years, Sundarasimha justified their decision by ruling the kingdom with wisdom and justice.
