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

20 fair lady, do not give yourself up thus to grief. This is a misfortune, I am aware, of no ordinary kind, and which you must keenly feel, but recollect that it was beyond all human control: it is appointed for all men to die once. Although I cannot but acknowledge that to be altogether insensible to the loss, the irreparable loss, you have this day sustained would be impossible, nay inexcusable in you, yet permit me to observe there is a wide difference between such callousness and moderation in grief, to which I would fain bring you. To be sensible of God’s afflicting hand under such a dispensation, and to receive it as the punish- ment which we have deserved, is the bounden duty of all, but it would be a species of rebellion against the inscrutable decrees of Heaven to be inconsolable. That you may not, therefore, add sin to your affliction, allow me to withdraw you from this scene. I have a daughter, who, at my desire, will be ever ready to render you all the assistance in her power, and who will treat you in all respects as a sister. I assure you I will afford you every protection, and place you entirely on an equal footing with her, so long as you may think fit to reside in my court.” The widow replied, —“I am extremely thankful to your majesty for your kind and generous offer, and for the sympathy expressed in your speech, but I request that you will be pleased to order im- mediately the necessary preparations for burning me, as I look not to survive this catastrophe, nor do I wish it. I am resolved to sacrifice myself on the pile that will be raised to perform my husband’s last rites, and I entreat you will not, either by argument or other means, attempt to dis- suade me from my fixed and unalterable design.” The king endeavoured to impress upon her the gross absurdity of such conduct, and to show how much it was at variance with the mild precepts of religion and the character of the Divine Being. “Let me advise you,” said he, “to reflect for one moment on the revolting nature of the act you are about to commit; it is repugnant to every feeling of huma- nity and good sense. Return home, and give it your due