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

274 upon it the united abilities of his councillors, but all to no purpose. At last he informed them, with the utmost concern, that he could not at all explain to them their father's meaning, and advised them to seek elsewhere for the expla- nation they sought. The brothers had entertained great hopes that King Vickramadetea, whose fame for wisdom and capacity was spread throughout the land, would have set before them a clear exposition of their case, but they were now compelled to go elsewhere, with, as they feared, far less chance of success. Being, however, very desirous to obtain an explanation, they left Oojein, and travelled to another court, where they met with no better success. They next visited the city of Prathestan, and represented their case to King Somekaunt, who patiently heard their representations, but with no less amazement than their other hearers. He also exerted his utmost talent and judgment, combined with that of his councillors, to arrive at a decision, but they also signally failed. Meanwhile, one of the coun- cillors desired the brothers to attend on the morrow, when they would be informed of the result of their application. A certain potter, who lived in the same neighbourhood with Shalivahan, was in the daily practice of going into the town to sell his wares, after which he usually amused him- self by going into court to hear the cases tried before the king. He happened to be present on this occasion, and heard the case of the three brothers. When he returned home he communicated the matter to Shalivahan, and added that the king had not been able to come to a decision, but was much perplexed. Shalivahan laughed heartily when he heard it, and said to the potter, "My good neighbour, I am surprised, not so much at the case as at the want of perception on the part of the king and his officials. It is not a case of such great difficulty as to cause the king to be at a loss to decide it. But perhaps you are only jesting with me: has not the king been always famed for his learning, and deservedly too? Does he not retain in his court the ablest of councillors? All this is against what