Previously in the story: Prince Vikramaditya and Dhruvdev, on their journey through the city of Manvapur, encountered a challenge from an arrogant scholar named Sheetlaprasad. He had been defeating people by asking them to identify his true mother tongue. Dhruvdev, adopting the pseudonym 'Munhbola', has stepped forward to accept the challenge, setting the stage for a battle between bookish knowledge and practical wisdom. Now, onwards...
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Kumar (Jeevandas) spoke up in between, "No matter how great a scholar that gentleman may be, we claim that if he bets against our brother 'Munhbola', he will have to taste defeat."
Deenbandhu said in shock, "Oh, don't say that, brother! You haven't seen him yet; that's why you are saying this."
Kumar smiled confidently, "Forgive me, friend! Perhaps you are not acquainted with 'Munhbola’s' talent. He didn't speak a single word for eight years after birth, and when he finally opened his mouth, he directly recited pure Sanskrit shlokas! That’s why he was named Munhbola. Whatever problem no one else can solve, he resolves it in a snap."
Gradually, a crowd began to gather, and the people's excitement grew. Sarman ji, who was saddened by his defeat, said passionately, "Jeevandas brother! If your brother defeats that arrogant man, I will give fifty coins as a reward from my side. Just that man's ego must be shattered."
Munhbola (Dhruvdev) joined his hands very humbly and said, "Brothers! We have no greed for wealth, but there will certainly be joy in breaking someone's arrogance. Just arrange a meeting for us with him."
The same person in the crowd who was earlier teasing Sarman ji said excitedly, "What's the big deal? Sheetlaprasad ji is so intoxicated by his victories these days that at a single call of challenge, he will come running." Then he told a man standing nearby, "Sakharav ji, you are close to Sheetlaprasad ji, you do this task. Go and tell him that a traveler at the inn is eager to debate with him and wants to test his scholarship. Just hearing this will be enough; he will come running himself."
Sakharav immediately set out smiling and somehow convinced Sheetlaprasad, who appeared in person shortly after.
First, there was a formal introduction and pleasantries, then a dialogue in various languages began between Sheetlaprasad and 'Munhbola'. Within a short time, Kumar (who himself had learned many languages in the Gurukul) and Dhruvdev realized that Sheetlaprasad was not just a bookworm but indeed a great scholar, but his ego was even larger than his scholarship.
Sheetlaprasad kept mocking them from time to time, and the audience began to worry for a moment that 'Munhbola's' move might backfire. Just then, Munhbola took a long yawn and stretched his body as if he were tired of sitting.
He said, "Brother, I admit Sheetlaprasad ji! Your scholarship is wonderful. Now that I have accepted your bet, I will surely solve the mystery of your mother tongue. It’s just that after the meal, my body has become a bit stiff. If you don't mind, let’s walk a few steps outside the dining hall; the fresh air will also sharpen my intellect."
Sheetlaprasad quipped, "Why not, dear friend! We love challenges. Anyway, our intellect is sharpened by the study of scriptures; yours perhaps by catching the breeze. We ourselves are waiting for that moment when this burden (showing the gold bracelet) is removed from our hands. Come, let’s go."
Munhbola smiled, "Certainly, let's go!"
Kumar and the rest of the people followed them in curiosity. Munhbola was walking at the very front. While crossing the threshold of the inn, he suddenly slipped in such a way that he dragged Sheetlaprasad down with him, falling directly onto a servant.
The servant was carrying a large vessel of spicy gravy vegetable, which was now completely splattered over Sheetlaprasad's white clothes. Munhbola and the servant stood stunned, but Sheetlaprasad's temper reached the seventh heaven.
Losing his cool, he began showering a barrage of 'offerings' of native Awadhi abuses at that servant— "Are you completely blind? You don't even know how to walk properly and you've come to win a bet! You wretch, you’ve turned my white kurta yellow and muddy. May you meet your end!"
Hearing the word 'death', Kumar's eyes turned red with anger, but before he could say anything, Dhruvdev's roar of laughter echoed. Seeing Sheetlaprasad's abuses and his ruined appearance, the entire crowd was drenched in showers of laughter.
When Sheetlaprasad started to leave in a huff, Munhbola caught his hand and said, "Wait, Maharaja! Where are you going with this burden? Hand it over to us now. Your mother tongue is 'Awadhi', in which you were just conversing fluently. In times of peace, a person can wear any language, but in times of crisis or anger, only that language bursts forth which he learned in his mother's lap. Now, swear by your scholarship and tell me, am I wrong?"
Sheetlaprasad remained speechless. The statement was sixteen-annas (perfectly) true. He bowed his head for a few moments, then said smilingly, "I will not take a false oath. You won, Munhbola ji! Today you proved that the language of the mouth can be learned, but not the language of the mind. Words come from the brain, but truth comes from emotions."
Upon hearing this, people jumped with joy and lifted Munhbola onto their shoulders. Kumar stood at a distance, smiling gently. In no time, the bracelet was on Dhruvdev's wrist. The city buzzed with the discussion of this miracle until the next morning, but as soon as the sun rose, the two friends had already departed for their next destination.
To be continued...
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In the next part: How did you like the cleverness and wisdom of our heroes? Do let us know in the comments.
What other experiences will our heroes gain now, or will their journey take a new turn? Who is 'Princess Suvarna', the heroine of our story, and where is she? Is this exciting journey of our heroes about to turn toward a new and tender direction? To find out, must read the next part!
Read the next episode here:
https://meetu2nishabd.blogspot.com/2026/04/suvarana-saga-episode-9.html
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