The main character of the story is
'Madhulika', a teenage girl. Who is the daughter of Singhamitra, a heroic
soldier from the state of Kosala. Singhmitra had in earlier times defended the
honor of Kosala state with his valor and ultimately supreme sacrifice.
The story begins with the scene when Indra
was worshiped every year to maintain the tradition of the kingdom of Kosala.
This was an agricultural festival in which the king acquired the land of a
farmer of his kingdom and did a day's agricultural work in it and carried out the
celebrations. This time Madhulika's farm was acquired by the king. The King
wanted to give a huge amount of money to Madhulika , but she refuses to take
the money, and says that she will not deal with her farm, no matter what.
In this festival, many other kings and
princes from the surrounding states used to come as guests. This time, Arun,
the prince of Magadha had also come there and was watching this incident.
The celebration is over, Madhulika does not take the award.
Prince Arun is greatly impressed by beauty, wit and bold stance
of Madhulika. He comes to meet her in Madhulika's hut at night,
pleading with her to become his companion, emphasising that
he will ask the king of Koshal to get her field back.
But Madhulika turns down his request, so Arun returns.
Madhulika , depressed, does not go to her
farm again and works out other chores to live her life. Time passes by, three
years are over. Madhulika, distressed by her financial disaster, remembers
Prince Arun. One night, by chance, the prince arrives in her hut as a refugee.
He tells that he has revolted in his kingdom and has been expelled from his
kingdom. Madhulika also falls in love with him so believes him. Arun persuades
Madhulika to ask the koshal king for the land near the fort in exchange for her
farm. Since that land is near the fort, from there Arun can easily attack the
fort with his fellow soldiers. He tempts Madhulika that he will capture Kosala
and establish his rule and make her his queen. Madhulika was madly in love, so
she too is tempted to become the queen. She goes to the King of Kosala and asks
for the land near the fort. Arun is happy to find the land. Immediately, he
goes underground in Kosala and starts preparing to attack on Kosala.
But Madhulika's mind is perturbed after analysing
her actions and the certain result of her actions. She recalls that on one hand,
she did not compromise her honesty and principles and did not exchange for her
farm, but now she is using the king's given land to shelter an enemy of the
kingdom. While her father laid down his life to protect the state and she is
betraying the state. A feeling of guilt overwhelms her and love for her state
awakens inside her.
Her conscience reprimands her and she tells
the king all things that the rebel prince of the neighbouring kingdom of
Magadha, Arun, is planning to attack on Kosala. The king’s army soon catches
Arun and slapped a death penalty.
While praising Madhulika for love of the
state, the king asks Madhulika to seek any award of her choice. Madhulika quietly
walks towards Arun and stands beside him, and demands the death penalty for
herself as well. “मुझे भी मृत्यु दण्ड मिले”
