The Third Hand( vikarm bethal)

With great effort, king Vikramaditya reached the peepultree and pulled down the corpse that hung upside down. He pulled it sharply from the twisted branches and slung it across his shoulder, determined to take it to the mendicant. He had just gone a few paces ahead when the corpse spoke, Vikram, listen to this riddle I have for you." And then, Betal narrated to him the story of a poor woman-Bhagwati, whose only wealth was her beautiful daughter Dhanwati. Bhagwati's constant worry was about her daughter's uncertain future, as she worried, who would marry a girl steeped in poverty? One day, while wandering aimlessly from town to town in search of food, they began to feel extremely thirsty. Wandering into a lane, looking for water, they saw a fine-looking young man tied to a tree with chains. Intrigued, they asked him why he was tied up? The young man replied that he was a culprit-an ignoble thief and had been tied up as he was to be hanged the next morning. 'You are looking for water, are you?' the man asked. 'A pot of water is lying near a tree down the lane. I am thirsty too, so I would like you to bring some for me as well. Hearing this, the mother rushed to the spot he had pointed towards and came back with a pot filled with water. She then asked her daughter Dhanwati to pour some water into the man's mouth to relieve him of his agony. While they were quenching their own thirst,-the thief suddenly asked the mother, Is your daughter married? For if she is not, 1 wish to marry her instantly.' Bhagwati was shocked. What? Get her beautiful daughter married to a thief? And that too the one who is destined to be hanged after a few hours? But just then the thief said something that set her thinking, T have been a proficient thief all my life and have accumulated a lot of wealth which I have buried at a spot not far from here. After I die, what use is that wealth to me? If you agree to my proposal, Dhanwati can become a very rich woman after I am gone.

As they listened in rapt attention , he continued the selfish reason behind my proposal (holy rituals for the deceased). Once my son does my pind daan, all my sins will get washed off from my soul and l can be reborn as a good man in my nextlife: Although both mother and daughter felt sorry for the young man, but they agreed to this mutually beneficial arrangement.

True to his words, after the thief was hanged, Bhagwati and Dhanwati found the wealth buried under the exact spot he had mentioned. They felt very happy that fortune had smiled upon them at last. Their days ahead were spent enjoying the lavish wealth. Dhanwati was now heavy with child and with the intention of giving the baby a father's name, her mother gave her in marriage to another man. The man readily agreed, as he was greedy and was eyeing his would-be wife's wealth. And sure enough, immediately after the marriage, the new husband stole that wealth and fled away. So shocked was Bhagwati, the mother, that she died as soon as she found this out. Time went by and Dhanwati gave birth to a son. Grief-stricken with the loss of her mother and her wealth, she took to begging. She would hold her son's hand and wander on the streets, looking for food and money.

One day they chanced upon a shocking sight. A huge python had entangled itself around the neck of the kingdom's Prince. Instantly, Dhanwatis son jumped into the fray and tried his best to free the Prince's neck from the tight grip of the python. Sadly, despite all his attempts, the Prince died. But the ensuing event surprised the mother-son duo. The King, the father of the Prince was so overwhelmed by the unknown boy's bravery that he offered him royal patronage. He gave him the title of his own son and heir. But one day, the old King whom the young man loved a lot, suddenly died. As per custom. the young man was now elevated to the throne. There was joy all around, but he continued to be sad. He missed the old King a lot. Heart-broken, the young man-now the new King-decided to perform a son's duty. He decided to pay customary respects to the departed souls of his parents.

Duly, during the days of Shraddha-special days in the Hindu calendar when oblations are offered to one's ancestors-he made his way to the banks of the Phalgu River and made preparations to pay his respects. He arranged some flowers and earthen lamps on bowls made of leaves and began to chant holy mantras. As he prepared to place the decorated leaf bowl into the river, to his surprise, three hands came out from the waters to accept the offerings. Whose hands are these? he asked, confused. Each hand spoke. " am your rightful father, give those offerings to me, said the first hand. This hand belonged to the man who had run away with his mother's wealth but had been noble enough to give him his name and respect in the society. The second hand also spoke, Tam your rightful father; give those offerings to me. This hand belonged to the king who had adopted him and given him a royal life.

The third hand also spoke, I am your rightful father, give those offerings to me. This hand belonged to his biological father, the thief. Three fathers? The boy discovered his truth right then. Now, he was confused. Whom should he pay the paternal oblations to, he wondered? So how did the young man decide, who truly deserved his respectful offerings? The biological father, or the father who had given him respect in the society, or the father who had brought him up? Here, Betal stopped. 'Answer me, 0 Vikramaditya, or I will smash your head into a thousand pieces right here!' shrieked Betal. The wise Vikramaditya instantly replied, The man who had decamped with his mother's wealth had married her due to his greed. On the other hand; the King who had adopted him needed someone to look after his kingdom. But the thief, his biological father gave away his life's earnings selflessly to his mother. This s why he should pay his offerings to the Third Hand. Parents who give birth deserve the highest form of respect from their children.' Right you are, 0 King; croaked Betal. But since you spoke, look how fast I fly! And he instantly flew away-far from Vikramaditya once again.

This decision highlights the importance of selfless sacrifice and the true meaning of parenthood. While love, care, and social identity all matter, the ultimate act of giving without expectation stands above all. Thus, the young king’s choice reflects wisdom, gratitude, and a deep understanding of moral duty and respect.