# Putraka — Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit character guide > Putraka in Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit by S. M. Mitra. **Role:** major **First appearance:** 0002-the-magic-pitcher ## Snapshot A foundling prince who claws his way to a throne, then sends Brahmans hunting for the father and uncles who abandoned his mother before his birth. ## Who they are Putraka rules the very land his father and uncles fled, and his first act as king is to seek them out and lavish them with houses and money. His generosity is genuine but dangerously blind: he cannot see that the three old men, who deserted his pregnant mother, now eye his crown with envy rather than gratitude. His open-hearted trust in family sets the story's central trap, turning a reunion tale into a test of whether goodness can survive the people it forgives. ## Relationships ### [Patala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/patala) _romantic_ Patala and Putraka are lovers, with Patala often using her magical powers to aid Putraka's quests. ### [The Brahman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/the_brahman) _professional_ Putraka serves as a student or disciple to the Brahman, learning wisdom and magic from him. ### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/the_prince) _friendship_ Putraka and the Prince are close friends and allies, sharing adventures and supporting each other. ### [Hiranya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/hiranya) _friendship_ Hiranya and Putraka are loyal friends, with Hiranya often providing aid or counsel to Putraka. ### [Patala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/patala) _romantic_ Patala and Putraka are lovers, with Patala often using her magical powers to aid Putraka's quests. ### [Patala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/patala) _romantic_ Patala and Putraka are lovers, with Patala often using her magical powers to aid Putraka's quests. ## In the story ### [Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/hindu-tales-from-the-sanskrit) Born under a prophecy, blessed by Siva, and later becomes king. ### [The Magic Shoes and Staff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/the-magic-shoes-and-staff) Receives the magic shoes and staff, setting him on a path to power. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/ii) The newborn baby boy who is named by Siva in a dream and destined to be a king. ### [Putraka's Rise to Prosperity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/iii) The protagonist, now a wealthy and generous young man, uses his gold to help others and becomes king. ### [Putraka's Search for His Father and Uncles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/iv) Now king, he seeks to reconcile with his father and uncles by using the Brahmans as messengers. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/v) The young king who joyfully welcomes his father and uncles, giving them houses and money. ### [The Conspiracy of the Three Wives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/vi) The king whose generosity is met with ingratitude and jealousy from his wives and father. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/vii) The young king who prays alone in the temple and is nearly assassinated; he forgives the murderers and learns his father ordered the attack. ### [Putraka's Despair and Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/viii) Putraka is the central figure, experiencing deep emotional turmoil and contemplating exile. ### [Putraka's Flight and the Magical Treasures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/ix) The young king who decides to leave his kingdom and encounters the wrestling men in the forest. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/x) Deceives the brothers to steal their magical treasures. ### [Putraka's Flight and New Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xi) Flies through the air with delight, discovers a city, and moves in with a poor old woman. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xii) The adopted son of the old woman, eager to seek Princess Patala. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xiii) Flies to Patala's palace, uses magic staff to become invisible, and reveals himself to the princess. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xiv) Flies to visit Patala nightly but becomes selfish and forgets his benefactress; discovered asleep in Patala's chamber. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xv) Captured and brought before the king, but escapes using magic shoes and staff. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xvi) Rescues Patala, builds the city of Patali-Putra with his magic staff, marries Patala, and brings the old woman to live with them. ### [The Hermit's Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/the-hermit-s-daughter) Putraka appears as a key figure in the hermit's daughter's story, influencing her fate. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/putraka - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters