A Vikram-Bhatti tale from Bengaluru

Though blessed by Indra to rule for a thousand years, Vikramaditya is said to have lived for two thousand years.

- R. PRASANNAN

Behind that was a clever trick played on the gods by his sorcerer-brother Bhatti.

Indra gifted Vikramaditya with a magical throne, and blessed him to rule from it for a thousand years. Bhatti, who wanted to be his brother's lifelong companion, prayed to Kaali for a similarly long life. Kaali, to test his devotion, asked him to bring Vikram's severed head. Vikram heard about the gory demand and happily cut off his own head for the sake of his brother. Bhatti took it to Kaali; she gifted him a lifespan of two thousand years.

Now, Bhatti sneered at the goddess saying, he no longer had any faith in the boons given by the immortals. Indra had blessed his brother to rule for a thousand years, and the guy was lying there headless at a ripe young age. Kaali gave an amused smile and brought Vikram back to life.