The Story of Lust( Kaam)

Important Characters

Bhartrihari: Bhartrihari was the elder son of Gandervasena, who received the kingdom from celestial God Indira.

Vikramaditya: Vikramaditya was the younger brother of Bhartrihari: who is popularly known as Vikram ( Betal Pachisi Fame).

Pingala: Pingala is the beautiful wife of Bhartrihari. Who is also known as Ananga Sena (as per Maha Kavi Kalidas)

Bhattarak: The Chief in charge of the security

Royal Guard: He is the Paramour of the queen

Bhartrihari is enjoying the company of sensual women with all the mirth and somras cracking jokes, letting the group know how lucky is he to be in the company of beautiful women.

As soon as he finished their company, the wife Pingala entered her room to express a deep desire to be loved. She is burnt by carnal desire and looking for her paramour to satiate the burning desire. The paramour is no one else than the personal guard who is in charge of her palace taking care of the inner circle comprising her bedroom. Every time she uses the guard as a medium to satisfy her urge, the guard tries to maintain a safe distance for the reason of not getting caught and hanged.

Vikram was highly intelligent, generous, courageous and gusty to safeguard the boundary of his kingdom from the enemies, but could not do significant to stop the illicit affair of his sister in law with the guard. The illicit affair lasted for some time before Vikram changed the guards and shifted them at different places.

Pingala was furious to see her plans failing for not getting an opportunity to meet her lover and therefore she decided to hatch a plan against Vikram.

‘Save me, Save me, Save me from the evil” she sobbed and cried in utter grief.

‘What happened ?, why are you crying?’ said the King Bharatrihari!

‘You won’t believe, this is something which will tarnish your image as a king. You would lose your reputation and the world will laugh at you. This will put your kingdom at shame and I can’t see all that. I have decided to burn myself. ‘

‘There must be a reason for all that’ responded by the king. ‘My heart is sinking, I am confused. Why are you grieving like this? Who has gathered the courage to go against the kingdom or you? Tell me, I would behead him .’

‘You can’t behead him, it takes courage to do that and I find no reason to believe that you have the audacity to that either. I am sceptical. I am doubtful. You wouldn’t do that’ Pingala said mockingly to her husband.

Bhartrihari got furious and retorted in anger. ‘Enough is enough, if these words were used by someone else, the person would have been decapitated. Do not cast aspersions on my strength or the justice system I am known for. Tell me, what happened with you and I would do the justice. I assure you, no matter what, even at the cost of my death, I would do the justice. Tell me the name and what did he do. You are my beloved wife. I can forsake the entire kingdom for you. Don’t be mysterious to me.’

‘It is your dear brother Vikram’, said the Pingala.

What?

‘Yes, you got it right’. Responded by Pingala.

‘What did he do’, said the king

‘He changed the guards of the palace and also others who are taking care of my privacy. He is the culprit and I want justice. Would you be able to do that? I know you won’t. That is why I decided to burn myself. I do not want to live any more.’

‘Why would Vikram do that without a reason. If Vikram has done that, there must be a reason. He is intelligent, brave, humble & caring. Could you please explain to me about the charge? The duty of the guards is not fixed. He has all the rights to decide to assign and delegate work. If he has done that, he surely must have a reason and then changing guards is not something unusual. Guards are intermittently shifted and their duties and time change.

I find no charge here unless you explain me further to substantiate charges against him’ said the king angrily.

Pingala said in indignation,’ I told you that you would not listen to me. I was all aware of it. How you listen about someone who is not what you perceive oh him. He is a rogue and a crook perceived as a sage. But how would you know that?

‘Stop this nonsense. You are crossing all the limits. How is a change of guards equating to being a crook? This is disgusting to hear such garbage from you. I can believe everything but utter nonsense. You need to justify the charges or you face the ire. You cant ride over the system using my love as a plank to cast aspersions on my younger brother whom people worship for being generous, kind and accommodating according to the wishes of the public. Your charges are bereft of any merit.’ Said the king in anger.

‘Bring Vikram to the quote, I need to listen to his story before concluding.’ The king ordered.

Vikram was brought to the court.

‘Rajan, Did you call me. What is the matter? Vikram Said

‘Did you change the guards of the queen’? said the king

Yes, I did.

‘But why. What was the need? I am sure there must be a reason. Since the queen is paranoid; I want to make sure that she is satisfied with your decision. Tell the entire court, that there was nothing untoward, and it was just a routine change. Isn’t It?’ Suggested the King.

Vikram kept quiet and did not utter a single word. He stood silent as a grave. ‘Rajan, I don’t have to say anything.’

‘Rajan, he wouldn’t say anything. I know why he is quiet. Because he has no answers. If you can hear. Let me tell you. He has an eye on me. He wants to seduce me and that is why he changed the guards so that he can have easy access to my bedroom at times when you are out?’ Said the queen.