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

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his journey. He travelled direct to the residence of his friend the Rishee,* and, after prostrating himself at his feet, disclosed to him the sad fate of Chitrangee, and how he was conjured by her to labour for her release. The Rishee paid great attention to what Charoo said, and after a short silence, during which he was communing with himself, he told him that he should go to Shree Ram- ashwer, and there entertain some brahmins and devotees on the most costly viands, taking care to secure the presence of men well acquainted with the Shastras† ; that he should also throw a large quantity of dainty food into the sea daily, in the name of God, because there existed a certain class of fish in the sea who enjoyed especially the favor of heaven, whereby they were enabled to assume at times the form of human beings. ‘I am confident,’ continued he, ‘that by this devout practice you will win the regard of those fishes, who will in the end help you to carry out your design. They, seeing your daily care in providing for them, will naturally enough endeavour to repay your kindness. They will appear in the guise of man, and you will only have to make known your wishes to meet with the desired success. Go, then, and set about it directly. Let me inform you that you cannot do a better action than distribute food to those who are in want of it. It is said, too, that to obtain a high character for virtue it is proper to bestow on the brahmins elephants, horses, cows, lands, gold, jewels, and more especially a daughter, if you are possessed of one ; though these gifts are not to be compared to the bestowal of grain, as recommended in the divine law. I will briefly relate to you an instance of the charity of bestowing grain. There was once a nobleman named Kerna,‡ who was endowed with many good qualities ; he was, however, parti-

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* A saint of person of great sanctity. † Sacred laws. ‡ King of Anga, and half brother to the Pandava princes, being the son of their mother Pritha, by the sun, before her marriage to Pandu.