विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

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persuaded to mitigate in some measure the punishment she had inflicted upon him. She said, “ Thou shalt live alternately for a brief period with us and then reign in the kingdom and city of Oujein, provided thou be- comest an incarnation of the Virbhudru in the shape of Vickramadetea.” When several years had prosperously rolled on, unmarked by any event worth notice, a hermit from Dwarka, named Soodew, presented himself at King Vickramadetea's court. His handsome mien and commanding carriage attracted the attention of all. He was besides, as if in contrast, of a willing disposition, possessed of much learning, and a great admirer of the fine arts. The king, on his appearance, granted him an immediate audience at court. He was so struck with his person, that he rose from the throne and prostrated himself before the hermit. The hermit lost no time in raising the king from the humble position into which he had thrown himself, and prayed him to resume his seat. The king insisted that the hermit should sit be- side him on the throne, which he accordingly did. Thus seated, they conversed some time, during which the king. extolled the hermit's wisdom, which appeared favorably in his conversation. After dismissing the court, the king led the hermit into an inner apartment of the palace, and placed a sumptuous repast before him, after which he perfumed the hermit's person with scents of the sweetest odour, and again entered into conversation with him on various topics, in- cluding science and the arts. The hermit, observing the vast and varied knowledge possessed by the king, asked, “ Will your majesty, who is no doubt familiar with the several arts and sciences, inform me whether you possess any knowledge of the art of transmigration, or the power of changing ourselves or others into any shape or form, by the use of certain montru* ?” The king replied that he was wholly unacquainted with it, but that he had a great and .

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* An incantation or mystical verse, a charm or spell.