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

257 moment for the commencement of the sacrifice, and the latter suggested the necessary preparations, at the same time undertaking the office of providing all things accordingly. The king then summoned his minister, and despatched him with a suitable retinue to invite foreign princes to be present on the occasion of his great sacrifice. A horse, splendidly arrayed, was led in the minister's train, to signify, as is the usual practice, that the preparatory cere- monies of the sacrifice had commenced. A temporary arbour, of a magnificent description, was constructed for the occasion, richly ornamented within and without with all the grandeur which is ever at the command of wealth and power. The roads leading to this arbour were sprinkled with water to lay the dust, and orders were issued for adorning the whole city, in honor of the great sacrifice at the palace, and for observing a period of general rejoicing. The royal camp, although very spacious, was soon filled with the numerous troops belonging to the foreign princes, who were entertained with every imaginable courtesy and respect during the interval preceding the day of the sacrifice, at which they were invited to be present. The brahmins, sages, hermits, and devotees of all denominations, gathered together in one large assemblage, and performed their sacred duties with much reverence and profound meditation round the sacrificial pit, which had been dug according to the usual form, and in which a fire was kept constantly burning. Gopichund, having put on his royal robes, embroidered with gold and ornamented with precious stones and pearls, attended in person, with the sacrificial bracelet round his wrist, which almost vied in splendour and dazzling bright- ness with the resplendent rays of the sun, which was then shining in all its glory. The sacrifice was to be performed by the monarch himself, and he had been instructed in all the necessary duties by the chief priest, who attended him. King Vickramadetea's minister, whose name was Bhutty, and Somedut the brahmin, disguised as mendicants, arrived at King Gopichund's capital at this time, as had been agreed 2H