Publisher's Synopsis
Vikram and the Vampire Or Tales of Hindu Devilry is a collection of stories written by Richard F. Burton. The book is a translation of the original Sanskrit text, Baital Pachisi, which is a collection of tales from Hindu mythology. The stories revolve around King Vikramaditya, who is tasked with capturing a vampire named Betal. Each time the king captures the vampire, he tells him a story, and at the end of the story, Betal poses a riddle that the king must solve. If the king fails to solve the riddle, Betal escapes, and the cycle begins again. The book is a fascinating look into Hindu mythology and the supernatural creatures that inhabit it. It also showcases Burton's talent as a translator and his ability to bring ancient texts to life for modern readers. Overall, Vikram and the Vampire Or Tales of Hindu Devilry is an entertaining and informative read for anyone interested in mythology or folklore.1893. This volume is Volume V of the Memorial Edition of the Works of Captain Sir Richard F. Burton. This translation contains eleven of the best tales surrounding the legend of a huge bat, vampire or evil spirit which inhabited and animated dead bodies. They are old and thoroughly Hindu legends composed in Sanskrit, and are the germ which culminated in the Arabian Nights. The stories turn chiefly on a great king named Vikram, the King Arthur of the East. There is not a dull page found within and this work will please those who delight in the weird and supernatural, the grotesque and the wild life. Illustrated.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
