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

186 Rajhouse replied, “I do not refuse to do your bidding, but ere I proceed I must beg of you to obtain the permission of our royal hostess, which is essentially necessary. Moreover, the relation I purpose giving is one of much interest, and will doubtless be productive of considerable amusement.” The princess, hearing this, thought to herself that this tale would probably surpass even those she had already heard, and therefore bade the Rajhouse proceed at once with it; whereupon the bird, having indicated to the brahmin that the princess had both laughed and spoken, and solicited the close attention of all present to what he was about to relate, began as follows:— “There was once in heaven, in Indra’s* hall of audience, a grand assemblage of angels and other spirits, at which dancing-girls of every description and nation were invited to attend. Among them was one named Chitrangee, who was possessed of great beauty and attractions, combined with skill and a genteel deportment. Indra, who was much pleased with her, desired her to sing and dance, and she submissively obeyed his royal mandate. She sang with such tenderness and pathos that the whole assemblage expressed their high delight, and extolled her beauty and qualifications in very profuse terms, as well as her musical performance. Before, however, she had ended the dance, she lost her unison and consonance with the instrument, which greatly displeased them. Indra, preceiving this confusion, fell into a violent passion, and exclaimed, ‘O thou wretched woman!—thou false one!—what is this thou art doing before the subha?† Thou shalt assume the form of humanity, and dwell in the world!’ These words fell upon the ears of Chitrangee like a thunder-clap, and she stood as though spell-bound in the midst of her dancing. Clasping

• The name of the deity presiding over Swarga (the Hindoo Para- dise) and the secondary divinities. † An assembly.