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

21 and unbiassed consideration : let the virtue of your hus- band live and be cherished in your bosom !" Notwith- standing all these powerful arguments, she remained firm to her purpose, and the king at last reluctantly consented that she should be furnished with all that was necessary for the end she contemplated, and with everything requisite for the sad solemnity. He directed that the corpse of the de- ceased warrior should be laid on the pile prepared to receive it ; and every other preparation being made, one of the king's own palanquins was brought out to convey the de- voted victim to the place where the tragic act was to be consummated. The widow having entered the palanquin, accompanied by the king and his whole court and re- tainers, proceeded to the place. Here she alighted and bathed ; then, having adorned her person as if she was going to be wedded, instead of being immolated on the funeral pile of her husband, she embraced the corpse before it was consigned to the flames, with all apparent de- monstrations of affection, and thus addressed the surround- ing multitude :—" God made me what I am, and gave me a husband whom I dearly loved, and on whom I bestowed my undivided affection. Oh husband ! though the trial will be great, I will accompany thee, that even in the next world thou mayest still be mine, and that through eternity we may again be united in the bonds of conjugal felicity !" With these words she placed the remains on the burning pile, and looking around said,—" Pardon me, oh king, and all ye people, this my voluntary act !" She then, without the slightest show of fear, or any of those signs which mark the inward workings of terror or hesitation, but, on the contrary, with a placid look and her counte- nance radiant with smiles, made one bold leap into the burning heap, and was soon enveloped in flames. No groan or sigh met the ear—all was still as death, save the . crackling noise of the fire-wood as it burned. After witnessing this revolting spectacle, the king and his nobles returned to town, wrapped in deep and impene- Q