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

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be necessary for the journey should be made as speedily as possible. When all was ready, he, with his mother and sister, (for so we shall call them for brevity's sake,) and a small retinue, set out for the plain where his father Soorsain had been taken away by the water deities. When he came to the lake he gave directions for encamping there, and his pavilion and the tents of the retinue were immediately pitched on the banks ; after which the king called together a number of hermits, brahmins, and other devout persons, to whom, when they had all assembled, he stated the whole case, requesting at the same time their advice as to how he was to get his father Soorsain back from the abode of the water fairies. The brahmins proposed that certain offerings should be made to fire, close to the lake, for which purpose they caused a pit to be dug to hold the sacred embers. They then entered upon a profound meditation, each person being engaged in performing the respective part allotted to him. This lasted for nine days. In order to propitiate the deities, at the close of the sacrifice they set apart certain pure trees and clarified butter, which they burnt in the sacrificial fire ; but the deities not appearing particularly favorable to Prince Bulsain, he took a knife in his hand, and, after calling upon God, began to slice the flesh off his arms, and to cast it into the burning flames. The deities still seeming indifferent to his prayers, in a most humble manner, and after deep meditation, he appealed to the Almighty, and raised his hand to sever his head from his body ; but lo ! the deities instantly appeared in the sky, saying, ' Oh, prince ! ask what you will ; we can refuse you nothing, for we are pleased with your generous exploit.' The prince answered them, ' If you are pleased with me, give me King Soorsain, my honored father !' They immediately disappeared and released Soorsain, who coming suddenly from the lake, first embraced Bulsain, his son, and then prostrated himself at the feet of the pious men there assembled. The princess now suddenly emerged from among her attendants and waiting-women, and, after