Long time ago in the city of Kshitipratisthit, there was a king named Ritumardan. His wife, Madanarekha, was a very devoted and religious queen. She gave birth to a baby girl and named her Mairavati. The princess was beautiful and bright. As she grew older, the king arranged for her general education, while the queen took care of her spiritual teachings.

One day, when the court was in session the queen asked Mairavati to attend the court. She was dressed in her finest robe and jewelry. Her father, Ritumardan, had her sit on the throne with him. The king asked his courtiers, "Does anyone in this world have as much wealth as I do?"

The courtiers answered, "Your Majesty, we cannot even think of that much wealth, even in a dream, let alone having it. Nobody else in this world has as much wealth as you do."

The princess disagreed and said, "There may be many other kings who have in their possession equal or more treasures. We should not brag about what we have.” The king overlooked this comment.

He asked another question, "With whose grace are you all happy? The courtiers replied, "By your grace, Your Majesty. There is no doubt about it."

The princess again disagreed. She said, "What is wrong with you all? You do not have to flatter him. You know, what we receive is due to our own karmas. Father, if you think you can make everyone happy, then why don't you make everybody happy on the same level as yours? That is impossible and what is happening is nothing but the result of everybody's own karmas."

The king became outraged and shouted, "Crazy girl! Why are you talking to me like this? Who taught you such things? You know that I can make a poor man rich or the rich man a poor man. If you agree with me, I will have you marry a prince, but if you disagree I will marry you to a poor guy and you will see how your karmas work." The princess replied calmly to her father, "You are mistaken.” She continued, "If I do not have good karmas in my favor, then even the best of the grooms chosen for me can turn into a beggar. We should not brag as if we can do anything and everything." The king was very upset. He ordered his guards, "Go and find the poorest, the meanest, and the ugliest man, and I will have her marry him. I want to see how her karmas save her."

The princess stayed calm. The king's men found a leper and brought him to the court. His ears were rotten, nose flat, and his fingers were oozing pus all over the place. The king was very happy with their choice. He told the princess, "Defiant girl! It is my order that you marry him."

Find out if the princess marries the leper in next week’s newsletter.