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

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on the main road, and were proceeding apparently into the temple for the purpose of paying their vows and adoration to the goddess there. He watched them entering, and a sudden thought of revenging the injury offered to his person, and his intended murder, crossed his mind; so he preceded them by a speedy flight, and sat behind the idol representing the goddess, watching them as they came in, though he himself could not be seen. It was customary for the actress to pay her daily devotions at the shrine of Kallika. After performing her ablutions, she approached the idol and bowed before it; after remaining in that posture for some time, she stood up in a reverential attitude, clasped her hands toge- ther as if in supplication, and, with her eyes fixed on the image, spoke as follows:—"Oh, goddess! may this my invocation have its due effect. I adore thee! may this my prayer be heard. Have mercy upon me! Pardon my manifold sins, and preserve me from all future evils!" She had scarcely ended when a voice issued forth, appa- rently from the idol, saying, "Kamsaina, I am much pleased with your devotion, and with the subject of your prayer: ask of me what you may think will be of use to you." — "I have all that I can wish for, through your kind aid and beneficence; but I sincerely hope that the god Indra* will send for me from the heavens, for my singing and dancing." "You will most assuredly derive much benefit in the court of Indra; but in the first place," replied the pretended goddess,—for our readers will no doubt have perceived that it was the parrot who was speaking, from the position he had taken up but a short time before,—"in the first place, there are one or two things to be most strictly observed. Tomorrow morning, before the sun rises, you must give in my name all your wealth, whatever you may be possessed of, in charity, after which come immedi- ately and meet me in this place; bring with you a barber, purify yourself, shave your head, put ashes on your body, and expose your naked person to my view: do not appear

• The chief of the angels, and god of the sky.