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The Vetala Panchavimshati, also known as Vikram-Vetala, is a collection of tales and legends from India. It was originally written in Sanskrit and has been translated into various Indian vernaculars and English. The stories revolve around King Vikramāditya's quest to capture a celestial spirit called Vetala. Each time the king tries to capture the Vetala, it tells a story with a riddle. If the king answers correctly, the Vetala escapes. On the twenty-fifth attempt, the Vetala tells a story about a father and son and poses a question about their relationship. The king is unable to answer, and the Vetala allows itself to be captured. Along the way, the Vetala reveals a plot by a tantric sorcerer to sacrifice the king. The king follows the Vetala's advice and defeats the sorcerer. The Vetala offers the king a boon, and the king asks for the sorcerer's redemption and the Vetala's assistance when needed. The Vetala Panchavimshati has been adapted into films, television shows, and literature.
