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

said the king, "may God deliver you from the hands of the enemy! May He, in his infinite mercy, keep a constant watch over you!" "I beg to acquaint your majesty that my valour is so great, that the Daityas are not equal to contend with me. I am sure of winning the battle, and putting them to flight." Now the king thought that this reply of Vejydhwaj merited reproof, as he deemed it highly impróper in any one, however great, to speak thus confi- dently before him. But being quite taken up with the feigned warrior, he said, "Vejydhwaj, I will take as much care of your wife as I would of my own child; depend on me, and go with confidence on your mission. May success attend you!" Vejydhwaj thanked the king for his kind welcome and still kinder promise, and set off on his journey, whipping his horse as he ascended with great rapidity to the heavens, amidst the wondering gaze of the king and the crowd there assembled. He was soon lost to sight. The king and all about him concluded that he had reached heaven, and they were confirmed in their belief when some little time after they heard the sounds of drums and martial instruments high above their heads. The noise and con- fusion which followed these sounds also told them that the combatants were engaged in furious warfare, and, as if in confirmation of this, they saw blood-stained arrows fall to the earth. They raised their eyes towards the firma- ment, and, while gazing intently upwards, saw the left hand of a man fall, severed from the body, then the right one, and soon after the body itself, dreadfully wounded and mangled. At first they were in doubt as to the identity of the body, and thought it to be that of some obscure soldier, but they were soon able to satisfy themselves on that point, for the head came whizzing through the air, and fell beside the body. The face bore a parting smile, and it was that of the warrior who, a short time before, appeared before them full of life and hope, and who had discoursed with them in all confidence, when leaving his wife under the protection of the king.