The Weaver Who Loved a Princess
Adapted from The Panchatantra, Book 1, translated by Arthur W. Ryder
In the city of Vardhamana, there lived a young weaver named Somilaka. Though skilled at his craft, he was extremely poor. Day after day, he worked tirelessly at his loom, yet he could barely afford enough food to sustain himself. His clothes were tattered, and his small hut leaked when it rained.
As Somilaka watched other weavers in the city prosper and live comfortably, he grew increasingly frustrated with his situation. “Why am I cursed to live in such poverty?” he wondered. “I work harder and create finer cloth than many of the other weavers, yet they have beautiful homes and fine clothes, while I can barely feed myself.”
After much contemplation, Somilaka decided that his hometown must be unlucky for him. “Perhaps fortune will smile upon me elsewhere,” he thought. “I will travel to a different city and try my luck there.”
With this resolution, Somilaka packed his few belongings and journeyed to the prosperous city of Ujjain. Upon arriving, he found work with a wealthy merchant who appreciated his exceptional weaving skills. Soon, Somilaka was earning a good living, and for the first time in his life, he had more than enough to meet his basic needs.
Over the next three years, Somilaka saved a considerable sum of money. With his newfound wealth, he purchased fine clothes, ate delicious food, and even hired servants to attend to his needs. However, despite his comfortable life, Somilaka began to feel homesick. He missed his hometown, his old friends, and the familiar streets of Vardhamana.
“I have proven that I can succeed,” he thought. “Now I wish to return home and live as a respected, wealthy weaver in the city where I was born.”
So Somilaka gathered his wealth—three hundred gold pieces—and began the journey back to Vardhamana. He had traveled only halfway when night fell, and he was forced to seek shelter in a temple by the roadside.
As Somilaka prepared to sleep, he overheard two glowing, supernatural beings conversing nearby. Though frightened, his curiosity got the better of him, and he listened carefully to their discussion.
“Lakshmi, why have you blessed Somilaka with wealth these past three years?” asked one of the beings. “He was not destined for prosperity according to his karma.”
The other being, who was none other than Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune, replied, “It’s true, Shri. According to his destiny, Somilaka should live in poverty. But I was moved by his determination and hard work. I decided to temporarily override his fate and grant him wealth for a short time.”
“And what will happen now?” asked Shri.
“Now that he is returning home, his original destiny will reassert itself,” Lakshmi explained. “Unless he performs a specific ritual that could permanently change his fortune.”
“What ritual is that?” inquired Shri.
“If Somilaka were to marry a woman born under the same unlucky star as himself, their combined misfortunes would cancel each other out, and both would enjoy prosperity for the rest of their lives,” said Lakshmi. “But he does not know this, and it is not our place to interfere further in human affairs.”
Somilaka could hardly believe his ears. He had accidentally discovered the secret to changing his destiny! But who was this woman born under the same unlucky star? And how could he find her?
The next morning, Somilaka continued his journey with renewed purpose. Upon reaching Vardhamana, instead of setting up his loom again, he sought out the royal astrologer. Pretending to be interested in general astrological knowledge, he cleverly steered the conversation toward people born under his particular star.
“Ah,” said the astrologer, “that is indeed an unusual and generally unfortunate star. Very few are born under its influence.”
“Do you know of anyone else in this city born under this star?” Somilaka asked, trying to sound casual.
The astrologer thought for a moment. “Now that you mention it, the king’s daughter, Princess Vinayavati, was born under that very star. It has been a source of concern for the royal family, as it suggests she might face hardships despite her royal birth.”
Somilaka’s heart raced with excitement. The princess herself! But how could a humble weaver ever hope to marry a princess? It seemed an impossible task. Nevertheless, Somilaka was determined to try.
He used some of his remaining gold to purchase fine materials and created the most exquisite fabric he had ever woven. The cloth was so beautiful, with intricate patterns and vibrant colors, that it seemed fit only for royalty.
Somilaka then approached the palace gates with his masterpiece. “I have created a special fabric for the princess,” he told the guards. “Please inform His Majesty that this is a gift, with no payment expected.”
The guards, impressed by the quality of the cloth, brought the matter to the king’s attention. Intrigued, the king summoned Somilaka to the court.
“Your Majesty,” said Somilaka, bowing deeply, “I am but a humble weaver who has traveled far and learned many techniques. This fabric is unique in all the world, and I wished to present it to the princess as a token of my admiration for the royal family.”
The king examined the cloth and was amazed by its beauty. “This is indeed extraordinary work,” he said. “What payment do you seek for such a magnificent creation?”
“No payment, Your Majesty,” replied Somilaka. “But if I may be so bold, I would request a small favor. I was born under an unusual star, and I have recently learned that the princess was born under the same star. I would be honored if you would consult your astrologers about the significance of this coincidence.”
The king, curious about this matter, summoned his chief astrologer. After examining both Somilaka’s and the princess’s birth charts, the astrologer confirmed that they were indeed born under the same star. Furthermore, he revealed that according to ancient texts, when two people born under this particular star marry, their combined destinies transform from misfortune to great prosperity.
The king was skeptical. “Are you suggesting that my daughter should marry a weaver?”
“Your Majesty,” the astrologer replied, “the stars speak clearly on this matter. If the princess marries anyone else, her life may be filled with unexpected hardships despite her royal birth. But if she marries this man, both will enjoy lifelong happiness and prosperity.”
The king, who loved his daughter dearly and wanted the best for her, was faced with a difficult decision. He requested time to consider the matter and dismissed Somilaka from the court.
For several days, Somilaka heard nothing. He began to lose hope, thinking that the king had rejected the idea outright. But then, a royal messenger arrived at his door, summoning him back to the palace.
Upon his arrival, Somilaka was surprised to find not only the king but also the princess herself. Vinayavati was even more beautiful than rumors suggested, with intelligent eyes that seemed to look directly into his soul.
“Weaver,” said the king, “my daughter has been informed of the astrologer’s prediction. Against my better judgment, I have allowed her to make her own decision in this matter.”
Princess Vinayavati stepped forward. “I have examined your work,” she said to Somilaka, “and it shows not only skill but also patience, creativity, and dedication. These are qualities I value. I have also consulted with the temple priests, who confirm what the astrologers have said about our shared destiny. I am willing to accept this marriage, if you are.”
Somilaka could hardly believe his ears. “Princess,” he replied, “I would be honored beyond words. I promise to devote my life to your happiness.”
And so, to the astonishment of the entire kingdom, the princess married the weaver. The king, though initially reluctant, provided them with a comfortable house and enough gold to start a weaving business.
True to the prediction, their fortunes immediately improved. Somilaka’s business flourished beyond all expectations. His fabrics became famous throughout the land, sought after by nobles and merchants alike. The princess, who proved to have a keen mind for business, helped manage their growing enterprise.
Years later, as they sat in their beautiful garden surrounded by their children, Somilaka told his wife about the conversation he had overheard between the supernatural beings in the temple. Vinayavati smiled.
“Perhaps it was destiny that you should overhear them,” she said. “Or perhaps the goddesses intended for you to hear, knowing you would have the courage and determination to change your fate.”
“Either way,” replied Somilaka, taking her hand, “I am grateful every day for the journey that led me to you.”
This tale teaches that while destiny plays a role in our lives, determination and the courage to pursue unlikely opportunities can sometimes alter our fate. It also suggests that what appears to be a misfortune might, under the right circumstances, become a blessing.
