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

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they will vanish; not in high connections—they will not serve them; not in wealth—for they cannot carry it with them; not in rank or royal dignity—for death levels every distinction. In short, it is not in the recollection of a life spent in the giddy mazes of dissipation and the silly fashions of a thoughtless and wicked world, that one should look for peace and serenity of mind at the moment when life is flickering in the mortal frame, but it is in the memory of a sober, righteous, and just life. Listen to my counsel, I pray you; it will afford your majesty food for contempla- tion. I most earnestly exhort and conjure you, by the ties of mutual friendship which unite us, to live virtuously; you will thus ensure not only a peaceful and prosperous reign in this life, but will lay up treasures for the next.” The parrot’s impressive talk and arguments on matters of religion made so strong an impression on the king’s mind that he felt irresistibly impelled to entreat him to point out the most approved method of devotional exercise, in order that he might, by following his advice, secure eternal happiness. “There is a certain rajasu yudna,”* replied the parrot, “which, if your majesty perform it in a particular manner, will tend to confirm you in your faith, and will exhibit to you in a forcible manner your dependence on the great and supreme Ruler of the universe, for He . alone is your majesty’s main prop and support,—He main- tains you in power and riches, He bestows life, health, and liberty. The spring of your felicity and the fountain of all your enjoyments is in Him. Offer your sacrifice in all humility, so as to be acceptable to Him; and if He is once satisfied with you, He will, I doubt not, shower upon you his divine mercy, and enable you to acquire virtue and every accomplishment.” His majesty on this sent for his astro- loger and his chief priest, and communicated to them his intention, whereupon the former fixed upon an auspicious

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* A sacrifice which is performed only by great monarchs, attended by their tributary princes.