The Prince And-The She-devil
Bodhisattva was born as the son of King Brahmadatta of Benaras. He was the youngest of the hundred sons the King had. As he grew, he became the strongest and wisest of all his brothers. However, as he was the youngest prince he had no hope of becoming the King.
One day, he asked his father whether he stood any chance of being crowned. He was informed by his father that if he reached Taxila within seven days, he might become the King of Taxila. He was also warned about the dangerous, ‘Devil Wood’ that he would have to cross on his way.
Next morning, the prince along with his six servants set off for Taxila. He carried a magical string and some sand, which would work against the evil forces. However, while crossing Devil Wood he lost all his servants who, in spite of his warning surrendered to temptations laid down by the she-devil. The prince kept on continuing his journey to Taxila. A she-devil kept on catching the prince. She wanted to eat his soft flesh. She followed the prince king the form of a beautiful woman. She tried to tract his attention, but the prince had total self-control that he did not even look at her for once.
After reaching Taxila, Bodhisattva went straight into a rest house. As he carried the magical string and the sand, she-devil could not follow him inside. Just then, the King of Taxila was passing by on his royal chariot taking his regular round around the pity. The King was so charmed to see the beautiful roman that he instantly fell in love with her. He got down from his chariot and asked her the reason for standing on the roadside. “My husband is inside the best house and he is refusing to accept me as his wife,” said the woman. On hearing this, Bodhisattva came out and said, “She is no wife of mine. She is a. devil and she aims to eat me.” At this, she-devil Broke into false tears.
The King felt very sorry for her. He took her into his palace and married her on the same day. As she-devil was away from the Devil Wood, she had no powers to attract others unless they themselves submitted to temptation. At night in the royal bedchamber, she-devil told the King, “0 my lord, I am sure everyone here is jealous my good fortune. Give me such powers that none can harm me.” Immediately the King gave her his armband and said, “Wear this band. No one within this palace can ever harm you.” At night when all fell asleep, the she-devil killed and ate everyone within the palace. Even animals were not spared.
Next morning people discovered the remains of the dead. They realised that what Bodhisattva had said about the woman was true. His wisdom and self-control impressed them and he was made the new King of Taxila.
