A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

After a king dies without an heir, each newly elected successor dies on his first night. Vikramâditja investigates and discovers that the old king secretly made a nightly offering to devas, genii of earth and water, and eight kinds of spirits. The successors’ omission has provoked the spirits to kill them.

He restores the accustomed offering from the royal treasury. The spirits are pleased and give him a fine Mongolian tent before departing, while the people welcome their surviving ruler. The account does not enumerate the eight classes or describe their bodies. Its causal explanation is part of this throne story, not evidence that failures of real rulers to perform rites cause death.

Devas, earth and water genii, and eight spirit classes who punish neglected ritesSpecific adapted narrative
01

Origins & earliest records

Mongolian transmission of an Indian-derived tale, mediated by European editions and Busk’s adaptation

02

Records & interpretation

Busk’s 1873 Sagas from the Far East, Vikramâditja acquires another Kingdom, pp. 291–294, explains the deaths through neglected offerings to spirits on p. 293. The account presents a narrative explanation of the succession crisis, not independently observed deaths caused by spirits.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Sagas from the Far East

    Rachel Harriette Busk, compiler and adapter · 1873

    Vikramâditja’s Deeds291–308, including Silent Speak294–307; notes404–405

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

Direct primary record

Rachel Harriette Busk, Sagas from the Far East (1873)

Vikramâditja’s Deeds. 291–308; notes404–405

Complete deeds narrative, both embedded stories and all attached notes read. Metaphorical kinship and moral accusation distinguished from literal taxonomy; no image verification.

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References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Historical literary adaptationBusk, Vikramâditja’s Deeds291–308 and notesResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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