Raman Escapes

The death sentence pronounced on Raman was overheard by two of the king’s close aides. Both disliked the priest Tathacharya, as they had seen him mistreat Raman earlier. They decided to save Raman from execution and secretly followed him to the forest, where the punishment was to be carried out.

To carry out their plan, they brought a goat along with them. When the soldiers prepared for the execution, the aides convinced them to spare Raman’s life and instead kill the goat. The soldiers agreed, slayed the goat, and collected its blood-stained sword as proof of execution.

Before leaving, Raman thanked the soldiers and gave each of them ten gold coins for their loyalty. They advised him never to return to the kingdom for his own safety. The soldiers then went back to the palace and showed the sword to the army chief.

Everyone believed that Raman had been executed. While some felt deep sorrow, the deceitful priest Tathacharya was secretly delighted, thinking his clever rival was gone forever.

Moral: True friends stand by you in times of danger, while deceit and cruelty never triumph for long.