Stories of Vikramaditya (Vetala Panchavimsati)

The Stories of Vikramaditya are among the oldest collection of folk tales centering round the personality of King Vikramaditya of Ujjain. First written in Sanskrit, a number of slightly differing versions are extant in all the major languages of India. The main purpose of these stories is to illustrate the generous deeds of a model king and emphasize moral lessons. In their ingenious plots, dramatic situations, portrayal of real life and correct appraisal of human character, stories are superb. As the reader can easily notice, human nature has not changed even after a thousand years at least.