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

187 her hands together in the most submissive manner, she thus addressed the enraged Indra :—‘ My lord, be merciful to me !—pardon my shortcomings if I have been wanting in my duties ! Restore me to thy favor and to happiness, otherwise I shall be wholly undone !’ Indra was moved and somewhat appeased by her entreaty, and told her that she should not be subjected to any great misery, but should be transformed into a princess, and should dwell in the court of a king,—that when she attained the age of twelve she would become possessed of great talent and virtue,— that a person who would give her a full account of Chitra- koot would wed her,—and that after she had made herself fully acquainted with that narrative she would exchange her mortal frame for one of celestial mould, such as she then possessed, and be again reunited to the host of heavenly beings. She prostrated herself accordingly at the feet of Indra, and, after taking leave of all those assembled there, she returned to her abode at Chitrakoot, where she spent the day in the usual manner, but in a very dejected mood. At night she retired to sleep, and in her sleep her soul quitted her body and descended to the world. “ There was at that time a king in the city of Kanchun- poory named Chakradunt, who was gifted with every virtue, and who had a very chaste and handsome consort, but although they had been married for several years they had not been blessed with issue. This was a source of great uneasiness to the king. At length the queen, for the first time, became pregnant, which sent a thrill of joy into the king’s almost withered heart. In the usual course of nature she was delivered of a daughter of surpassing beauty, and they called her Chitrangee.* The king caused great rejoic- ings to be made, and thanksgiving to be offered throughout his dominions, and performed the usual ceremonies enforced by custom and religion. The child was reared with great care and solicitude until she arrived at years of discretion,

• Signifying, Endowed with varied talents and excellencies.