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

were in the constant practice of resorting to their temples and offering up their prayers to God; they were never known to lie, at least the great body of them, even for their own gain or aggrandisement. There was in this city a brahmin named Crustna Josey, who had an only son named Moodgul, a well-behaved and well-educated youth. One day this young man requested his father's permission to go on a pilgrimage to Kashee,* as he was very anxious to pay his vows at that holy place, and the caravan was also just about to set out. His father, however, objected to his going, as his grandson's moonje† was shortly to take place, and he wished him to be present on the occasion; so he told him not to think of going with the caravan then preparing to start, but to postpone it to some future time. The son, having previously made up his mind to proceed with the caravan, could ill brook this, as he thought, unnecessary opposition, so he went and joined the company who were to proceed to Kashee by that opportu- nity. There was a certain Borre‡ tree behind this brah- min's house, in which dwelt a Zotinge,|| who had the power of taking upon himself the shape or form of any other individual, just as it suited his interest or whim. Knowing, therefore, that Moodgul had joined the caravan against his father's expressed wish, the Zotinge determined to person- ate him during his absence. He accordingly assumed the form of Moodgul, and repaired to the brahmin's house, who was overjoyed at seeing his son, and asked him why he had returned. The Zotinge replied that he had found no good omen for starting; that he had absented himself simply to see how his father would bear it, and having heard that he was angry, he had returned. The Zotinge lived with the

• A celebrated city and place of pilgrimage in Benares. † The ceremony of investing the young brahmin with the sacri- ficial thread. ‡ The Jujuba tree, or Zyzyphus Jujuba. || The spirit of a deceased person, wandering as a goblin.