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

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by the chief of the fishes, and, after tenderly embracing Chitrangee, departed. Some time elapsed ere he could recollect the exact spot where his former wife resided ; but at length, having uttered some mysterious words, he was instantly transported thither. When he entered the town, the people of his acquaintance instantly recognised him, and before he reached his dwelling some of them had conveyed the intelligence to his brothers, who hastened thither to receive him. As soon as he appeared they advanced, and met him with kind embraces, enquiring the cause of his long absence. Charoo immediately detailed the whole of his adventures, and the magnificence in which he lived at Chitrakoot, concluding by saying that if they wished it he would convey them all to that place. But Charoo's tale only elicited a smile of incredulity ; for they thought he was affected in his mind, and therefore did not believe a word of what he said. ' You have not yet, we see,' said they, ' got rid of your old habits and exaggerating propensities. We feel no inclination, we can assure you, to taste of the enjoyments you speak of. We are quite content to remain here in the same station as our fore- fathers, where we can enjoy the society of sages and men of learning.' On this, Charoo again addressed them, saying, ' You despise me, or affect to do so, because in your arro- gant envy you will not concede to me what is denied to you. I am nevertheless desirous of being just to you. What I say is the truth, and though you may now seem indifferent to my proposal, a time will come when you will wish that you had not slighted my advice,—when age and infirmities overtake you, and when your existence in this world draws to a close. I lost my fortune in gaming, it is true, and you abused and reviled me, and even turned me out of doors, instead of trying to remedy the evil ; but I will deal more handsomely by you, and will let my acts prove to you that I can never harbour a covetous or niggardly spirit, —still less a revengeful feeling for the injury I received at your hands.' Saying this, he went into a private chamber,