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

195 description of the Chitrakoot mountain, which the princess, after the usual exchange of civilities, requested him to do. Charoo told her in reply, that if he had known it was absolutely necessary to relate the tale of Chitrakoot, he would have procured the necessary information. 'Some time ago,' continued he, 'I called at Indra's palace, on particular business, and on my way I saw from a great distance the mountain in question, but as I then had no interest in learning anything about it, and being quite taken up with my business, I thought it would be losing time to visit it. If, however, you are anxious to know the particu- lars respecting that place, I must solicit from you sufficient time to travel there, which I will undertake to do solely on your account, and hasten back with the desired information. Please God I shall soon return.' The king and the princess were equally pleased with the eloquence and sound sense with which Charoo spoke. The remainder of that day was spent in feasting and other enjoyments, and on the following morning Charoo expressed his willingness to depart for the mountain of Chitrakoot. The king and the princess having consented, he set out, followed by their earnest prayers that God would be pleased to preserve him from all dangers; that blessings might attend him in all he undertook; and that he might return safely home. Charoo thanked them in all sincerity for their kind and affectionate wishes on his behalf, and commenced his journey with a stout heart.