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

281 self to the ridicule of his subjects and of other monarchs by this unmeaning and unwise conduct." The officer retired, and when he approached the monarch, his dejected look, even more than the absence of Shalivahan, revealed to him the ill success of the mission. The king eagerly questioned the officer, who repeated, without the omission of a single word, all that Shalivahan had said. This so enraged Vick- ramadetea that he ordered a body of his best troops to pre- pare for a march to Prathestan, for the purpose of punishing the braggart. When all was in readiness, Vickramadetea sallied forth, seated in a splendid chariot. As he drew near to the city, Shalivahan, knowing well that the army had been brought there solely on his account, and hearing the sounds of martial music, such as trumpets, drums, &c. was overcome by fear, and eagerly running into the presence of his mother, addressed her thus :—"O mother!—a great body of troops is approaching,—I think those of King Vickramadetea. I pray you, kill me on the spot!—I am the cause of it. Or can you adopt any expedient to assist me?" The mother replied, "Shalivahan, take courage, but at the same time be cautious. I was aware that king Vickramadetea meditated this outrage on us, because you did not proceed to his court, but I am prepared for it." Saying this she rose from her seat, and having bathed and otherwise prepared herself, invoked the protection of the divine Shashe, who had promised her his help in time of need. No sooner had she finished her invocation, and recalled his form, which she had seen on the bank of the river, than he appeared, and asked her what she required of him. "My lord!—my beloved protector!" cried she, "you are well aware of the cause of my invocation to you. It is that you may preserve us from the danger which now threatens us. King Vickramadetea and his forces are advancing, doubtless to massacre us in cold blood, for the apparent slight offered to him by Shalivahan." "Fear not, Soome- tra," said the Shashe, "your son will not only conquer KK