Once upon a time, a king’s daughter announced a marriage challenge that left the whole kingdom buzzing. Any prince who wished to marry her would have to count from one to twenty in a way that captured the entire universe within those numbers. Fail to impress, and the suitor would face a painful penalty—twenty lashes. This challenge was open only to royals, adding even more excitement to the event.
Princes from far-off lands arrived, eager to claim the princess’s hand, yet worried about the punishment if they failed. The king hosted a grand feast, setting the stage for the unusual contest. One by one, each prince stepped forward, confident at first but stumbling as they realized the depth of the challenge. Every attempt was met with disappointment; none could satisfy the princess’s demand for a “universal count.” Some left bruised by lashes; others left in shame. The crowd began to murmur—was this an impossible test?
As the princes came and went, an unexpected figure emerged from the sidelines—a humble sweet maker, or halwai, who had been watching the spectacle with a smirk. Unable to contain his laughter, he called out, “Shame on you, princes! How can you call yourselves wise if you can’t even count to twenty in a way that pleases the princess?”
The princes, insulted and furious, demanded he be punished. But the king, intrigued, invited the sweet maker to speak. “Do you think you could count as the princess demands?” the king asked.
The halwai smiled, “My lord, if I succeed, will I be granted the princess’s hand in marriage? For I am no prince, and I stand no chance if this challenge is only for royalty.”
At this, the princess herself spoke up, “If you meet my challenge, then yes, I will marry you. But be warned—if you fail, the punishment is death.”
The crowd gasped. Was he brave, or simply foolish? Undaunted, the halwai nodded and began his count:
- One – the single Creator of all
- Two – the dualities of life
- Three – the realms of existence
- Four – the cosmic eras
- Five – the Pandavas, symbols of strength
- Six – sacred scriptures of wisdom
- Seven – the days in a week
- Eight – the directions that shape the earth
- Nine – planets that influence our fates
- Ten – the far-reaching directions
- Eleven – Rudras, fierce protectors
- Twelve – months in the cycle of a year
- Thirteen – treasures of the universe
- Fourteen – fields of knowledge and skill
- Fifteen – phases of the moon, ever-changing
- Sixteen – rituals honoring our ancestors
- Seventeen – the forms of plant life around us
- Eighteen – Puranas, tales of eternal truths
- Nineteen – representing you, princess
- And twenty – representing me, humble yet sincere.
When he finished, silence blanketed the hall. Each word had woven a universe, from creation to every small detail of life. The princess, captivated by his simple yet profound wisdom, declared that he had indeed won her heart. Despite his humble status, the sweet maker had fulfilled her condition with a truth that transcended royal lineage.
This tale reminds us that real wisdom doesn’t come from titles or wealth but from the understanding of life’s deeper meanings.