Story of Kalidasa and Vidyottama retold

Long ago, in a Kingdom near Ujjain in India, a king had a beautiful princess- her name was Vidyottama. From a young age she displayed extraordinary talent and intelligence. Her parents appointed a teacher- Guru Vararuchi to train her well. As she was growing up, Vidyottama continued to demonstrate her exceptional talent as she mastered in literature, arts, and debates. She defeated many wise scholars from various fields.

The princess however had a problem- arrogance! Vidyottama was very proud of her knowledge and learning that she would insult senior and wise men in the court. One day she even defeated her Guru Vararuchi in a debate. Her arrogance went too far as she insulted him as well. Due to the lack of respect Vidyottama showed to Guru Vararuchi, he along with other scholars wanted to teach her a lesson by cheating her to marrying someone stupid. But Vidyottama and her parents announced in the kingdom that her marriage would be with a scholar who would defeat her in a debate.

One day when the court scholars led by Guru Vararuchi were walking by they saw a handsome looking man cutting the branch of a tree he was sitting on. They confirmed him to be stupid. They called the man and asked him to go with them to the palace and promised him a good meal. His name was Kalidasa.They trained him not to utter a word in the palace court. They dressed him up well and informed the princess that Kalidasa is a great scholar and is seeking her hand in marriage. But he could not talk since he is on “mouna vratham”and observing silence that day. But the debate has to go on, the princess insisted.

All the wise men and scholars along with Kalidasa and Vidyottama gathered in the court in the presence of the king- The debate began. Vidyottama started- She raised her index finger indicating, there is only one supreme God. Kalidasa assumed that the princess is indicating to poke his one eye. In response he showed two of his fingers indicating he would poke both her eyes. But here, a scholars intervened. He explained to Vidyottama that Kalidasa is responding to her actual question by saying there are two supreme power one the God Himself, and the other individual soul. Vidyottama was impressed Then, Vidyottama showed her palm…