In the vibrant land of Rajasthan, where the majestic palaces and sand dunes stood tall, there lived a wise ruler named King Udai Singh. Although renowned for his benevolence, his heart was plagued by an unfair romantic affection towards his two wives, Rani Alka and Rani Bharti.
Alka, with her demure beauty, had only two delicate hair strings adorning her head, while Bharti possessed only a single strand with sheer elegance. The king, blinded by his skewed perception of beauty, favored Alka immensely, showering her with praises and attention. Meanwhile, Bharti's sorrow grew deeper each passing day.
One day, as Rani Bharti found solace near a well, her heart heavy with the weight of the king's favoritism, a melodious voice from within the depths of the well caught her attention.
"Hmm? What's that sound?" Bharti's curiosity piqued, urging her to lean closer.
"Dear Bharti, do not despair over your hair's length, for I hold the key to your happiness" whispered the enchanting voice, resonating from the well. "Just take two drops of water from my depths and splash them on your hair. You shall witness miracles beyond your imagination, but remember to thank me afterward."
Intrigued and hopeful, Bharti cautiously followed the well's instructions. As the pearls of water fell upon her hair, an enchanting sensation spread through her, and her hair grew miraculously, cascading down to the length of her graceful waist. Overwhelmed with joy, she thanked the well and returned to the palace, where the king's eyes widened with astonishment at the mesmerizing sight of Bharti's resplendent long locks.
Overhearing the king's fervent admiration for Bharti's newfound beauty, Rani Alka's heart bloomed with a seething envy. Consumed by jealousy, she approached the well with a false complaint, concealing her sinister intentions beneath a veil of innocence.
"Oh, dear well, my heart aches with anguish as I possess so little hair," Alka lamented, feigning despair. "Please, grant me your boon, for I long to rival Bharti's ethereal beauty."
The well, with its all-knowing wisdom, saw through Alka's pretense and in a solemn voice, responded, "Dear Alka, in two drops of water lies the path to your desires. But heed my warning and be content with what you receive, for true beauty is defined not by its quantity but by the grace within."
Alka, blinded by her greed, disregarded the well's sagacious words. Splashing not two, but four drops of water onto her hair, she anticipated a miraculous transformation. However, instead of her hair growing, it vanished completely, leaving her head as bare as a moonless night.
"You went against my words, dear Alka" the well's voice carried a tone of deep disappointment. "Your greed has stripped you of your beauty. Remember, true magnificence lies not in external appearances but in the purity of one's intentions."
With her beauty forsaken, Alka learned a valuable lesson on that fateful day. She realized the price of her covetousness and accepted her unique beauty with humility and grace.
From that moment on, King Udai Singh, enlightened by the well's teachings, understood the importance of fairness and vowed to treat his wives equally. The palace's golden halls echoed with the laughter and joy of both Alka and Bharti, as they celebrated the diversity in their beauty and the strength of their bond.
And so, Rajasthan's tale of King Udai Singh and his two wives spread far and wide, a tale of lessons learned and love nurtured, reminding all who heard it that true beauty lies not in external features, but in the depth of one's character and the acceptance of one's uniqueness.
