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

This lake was full of the sweetest water, and as clear as crystal; they bathed in it, therefore, and after the usual ceremonies, partook of dinner. Shortly after the meal, the king went towards a flower-garden situated near the lake, for the avowed purpose of examining more closely its beau- ties; on approaching it he discovered a dead serpent lying amongst the bushes. The moment he saw it, he felt inclined to try the extent of knowledge which had been imparted to him by the hermit, fully believing that the Gooru* could not have practised any imposition on him. With this intention he returned to his tent, and prepared to give the subject, then uppermost in his mind, a fair trial. He ordered Koobjuck to wait for him while he slept a little, and positively forbade his disturbing him whilst in the arms of Morpheus, but to allow him to awake refreshed from his sleep. He then laid himself down in an alcove prepared for him, and was soon asleep. A certain charm had been pre- viously applied, and it now began to take effect. As the monarch's sleep became heavy, the serpent began gradu- ally to move; when it had regained its full strength, it rushed along furiously over the bank of the lake in the garden into the adjoining woods, attracted by the beauty of the landscape and scenery around the neigh- bourhood. These creatures are said to be susceptible of sylvan beauties; what amount of truth there is in this we do not presume to say, but give it merely as a popular as- sertion. The king's attendant, Koobjuck, perceiving the wonderful miracle achieved by his lord and master, namely, that of entering the body of a dead serpent, and conscious of the powers he himself possessed, (for which, it will be re- membered, he was indebted to his eaves-dropping propensi- ties, if we may so call them,) determined also to test their efficacy. He accordingly assumed the form of the king, who was lying near him asleep, and issued forth before the body of retainers. He ordered the tents to be struck, and

• A spiritual preceptor.