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

267 The river Godda not being far from his house, the brahmin made it a daily practice to perform his ablutions in its stream, and to worship the titular image of Shashe,* one of which he kept in his house. One day Soolochun went as usual, accompanied by his daughter, to bathe. The father left the child on the bank, and had no sooner descended into the river than a most wonderful occurrence took place. Soometra had scarcely seated herself, when a young and handsome brahmin appeared before her. He gazed on her silently at first, and then drew near and addressed her in a respectful tone. "O charming and celestial beauty!" said he, "permit me to fold your slender and lovely form in my arms!" These were strange and unintelligible words to her, and she seemed at a loss what to reply, so she looked anxiously in the direction of her father, and shrieked for help, as she thought the young brahmin before her would ill-treat her. Her cries did not reach her father, who had gone far into the water, so the youth, perceiving her loneliness, approached nearer to her, and placed his hand on her head, when she immediately felt creeping over her the sensations of ripening love and affection. He then desired her not to be afraid of him, although he did not belong to this world, but to the lower one. "Listen to me," continued he; "as you are igno- rant of the reason why I assumed this form, I will tell you. You will bear a son who will become a mighty and renowned monarch: by his prowess and gallantry he will subdue a mighty nation; his fame and merit will be spread far and wide, and will endure as long as the sun and moon exist. If at any time you should happen to fall into difficulties, recal this my shape and appearance in your mind, and mention aloud my name, when I will instantly appear to you, and relieve you from any dangers with which you may

• The king of the serpents, a large snake with a thousand heads, who is at once the couch and canopy of Vishnoo, as well as the up- holder of the world, on which rests one of his heads.