विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)
Vikram Charita or Adventures of Vikramaditya King of Ujjain
कवि हरिदास / परम्परा द्वारा
पृष्ठ 160, कुल 308 में से
संदर्भ में पढ़ें148
we will return, if you wish it, and take the other road. I fear no danger, but with the hermit's blessing I feel myself equal to anything. Be of good cheer, friend Hurridass, and let us at once go forward.' Hurridass tried to dissuade the prince, but it was in vain, and it was therefore finally resolved to follow the prince's proposition, though only with the passive consent of the minister's son. “They had not proceeded far when they came to an immense and dark forest, where numberless trees of gigantic growth raised their towering heads to the skies; birds of various shapes, colours, and species, were perched thereon; the wild roarings of the forest denizens, inspiring terror at every step, were occasionally heard; whilst venemous reptiles met the eye in every direction. No human being could be discerned save the two youths. They made all speed to pass this forest ere the clouds of night should over- take them, and they shortly after arrived at a desert, which having crossed, they beheld, with extreme astonishment, a huge giant, of frightful appearance and most ferocious countenance, seated at the foot of a rock. They gazed on a figure of such unusual proportions with feelings of the most profound awe. His large and fiery eyes were fiercely rolling, his tongue protruded, and a tusk, like that of a boar, was visible on either side of his immense mouth. His nostrils emitted the most noxious effluvia, and his saliva streamed down his chin. His ears were like two flapping wings, and he presented altogether a most hideous and fiendish appearance. The two youths thought to escape his notice, but the monster, observing them, walked up, and in a voice of thunder bade them stop, adding that he was lucky in obtaining so unusually good and plentiful a meal, and that he would not on any account allow himself to be baulked of it, as he was voraciously hungry. He then eyed them separately, as if debating within himself which of them he should first devour, when the prince, addressing him in a firm and resolute manner, said, ‘What mean you, wretch? Think you we will permit you to feed upon us,