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

41 and expressed a desire to partake of the king's flesh, and said that his majesty would not hesitate to offer himself up to save a fellow-being, and he a brahmin's son. 'I regret very much,' said the wily brahmin, 'that it should be so, but consider, your majesty, this is an only son of mine, the sole object of my affection, and the support of my declining years. My life must inevitably end with his, if your majesty will not deign to stretch forth a helping hand in this my greatest hour of need.' The king paused awhile, as if in deep thought, and considering that if he declined compliance with the brahmin's request he would lose an opportunity of evincing his virtue of self-sacrifice, for which he was far and deservedly famed, consented to immolate himself for the brahmin's son. He ordered a saw to be brought, and with his own hand he courageously set about sawing himself asunder. When he had cleaved his head in two, and had reached to his gullet, Kristna assumed his usual form, and appeared before him in all the bright- ness and dazzling splendour of an ethereal being, and, with an approving smile, and with fondness depicted in every lineament of his face, embraced the king. The severed head became instantly healed, and, with many blessings upon the head of this valorous and high-minded monarch, Kristna disappeared. In like manner," continued the parrot, "should you preserve your promise intact, and deliver me up." The merchant could not possibly reconcile himself to the idea of parting with his favorite companion, but under the circumstances he had no alternative. So, after much time spent in bewailing his misfortune, and with tears and sighs, he made a desperate effort, and consigned the bird to his future mistress—murderess would become her better. No sooner did she receive the bird than she exultingly held the cage up to her face, and took a long and revengeful look at the author of her greatest humiliation, as she thought ; and she smiled with great satisfaction as she pondered on the revenge she had it now in her power to take upon this helpless creature. The parrot knew well that all this boded G