Baital ended his story here. He asked King Vikramaditya, “Vikram, you have heard the entire story. Now answer my question. Who was the real culprit in the story?” King Vikramaditya replied, “Baital! If the thief had not testified, Mrignaini’s husband would surely have been hanged to death. But the thief helped the husband and he was cleared of all charges. On the whole, it is Mrignaini’s father who was to be blamed. He was the real culprit. He did not tell her husband-to-be about his daughter’s character. He simply married her off. This fault proved devastating for the family.” Baital said, “You are right, Vikram. But you have spoken again, so I must fly again and go back to my peepal tree.” Thus, Baital flew away despite all the efforts of King Vikramaditya to stop him. A fuming Vikramaditya again followed Baital to catch him once again.
Father is the Culprit
