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

in company with any one, and let all this be accomplished . by the middle of the day. The vemon* will then descend from heaven, with instruments sounding to welcome your arrival at the gates of Paradise, and the assembly of Indra will bear you company. Return quickly home, and perform all I have directed you to do." Upon hearing these consoling words, and the promise of being taken up to heaven, she retraced her steps with hope and great joy, after having prostrated herself a second time before the idol, and poured out a flood of enraptured thoughts, and expressions of her willingness to act as she had been bidden. On her arrival home she set about distributing her riches, which consisted of money, jewels, horses, cattle, and all the other paraphernalia of a prosperous household. She gave all these to the beggars and brahmins who had crowded round her residence when her resolution to give all she possessed in charity had become known, and she was quite elated with the idea that in return for all this sacrifice she was to be translated to heaven. Those who profited by the benevo- lence of the woman were one and all loud in their praise of her person and her proficiency in singing, which had enabled her to amass together so large a fortune as was then displayed to their wondering eyes. She was quite gratified at what she heard, and frequently said, by way of replying to these encomiums, "If I merely bestow a small portion of my wealth or goods in alms, I shall receive double for it from Indra, when I shall have the opportunity, which I am in a fair way of securing, of delighting him with my songs," little dreaming, poor deluded being, that the parrot had even then commenced his revenge for what she had done and had meditated doing. After having parted with all she possessed, and the day also having drawn to a close, she retired for the night, and prepared by sound and refreshing sleep for the fatigues of the morrow. In the morning she rose betimes, and, securing the attendance of a barber, as she had been directed the previous day, set out to the temple,

• A celestial self-moving car.

47 her slave accompanying them. At the temple she directed the barber to shave off her hair. He could not restrain his laughter on hearing this strange bidding, and hesitated to obey ; but being pressed by her, and fearing her rage, he set about quietly removing this ornament of womanly beauty. At the same time the poor barber feared that this might be a whim of the moment on the part of the dame, and that when it passed away he might be called upon to account for the extraordinary deed ; so he proceeded to acquit himself of the task with considerable hesitation. Be- fore the barber placed his hand upon her clustering tresses, she repeatedly desired him to make no one acquainted with what he was then about to do : it was an affair of as much secrecy, she said, as it was of great moment and urgency. After having her head completely shaved, she undressed herself, and delivered her clothes to the slave, directing her to return with them in the evening. She then performed her ablutions, bathed in the lake, threw ashes on her body, and thus, in a complete state of nudity, prostrated herself before the idol, and addressed herself to deep and solemn meditation. She thought that she was about to receive the reward of all the sacrifices and indignities to her person she had borne for the last few days. She remained in that attitude for some time, inwardly addressing herself to the goddess, beseeching that all her failings and crimes might be forgiven, and that she might, according to the promise vouchsafed to her the previous evening, be received into the heavens.. As the sun began to reach its meridian, the heat grew oppressive in the temple ; and the deluded being, pros- trated in all humility before the shrine of Kallika, found it would be intolerable so to remain much longer. She changed her posture, and happening at the same time to look up to the sky through one of the openings for light in the temple, she beheld the parrot perched on a tree oppo- site, and exulting as it were over her misfortune: She immediately recognised the bird, and seemed quite abashed as well as surprised at seeing him alive, after she had, as

48 she thought, made a meal of him. She remained with her gaze rivetted on the parrot, who addressed her from his lofty seat—lofty in more senses than one. “ Wretch !” said he, “ you made great attempts to deprive me of my poor life for the imaginary wrong I had done you, but in what have they resulted?—in heaping infamy and ridicule on yourself. You were haughty and proud, and in your pride despised me. You persuaded yourself that Indra would send for you to hear you sing, as you are thought by men to be a great proficient in that art; but such easy and happy con- ditions are not to be attained by you, or such as you. Now, deprived of your wealth, your revenge ungratified, with shame and humiliation, you must retire. Go, then, and never more appear in public; for the person who behaves arrogantly deserves an equal infamy.” It was now evening, and the confidential slave of the disappointed actress was anxiously awaiting the return of her mistress, who, with mingled emotions of rage and shame, hastily clothed herself, wrapping her now bald head in a piece of black cloth, and went home, swearing vengeance against the little bird, and deploring the loss of her immense wealth and property, which she had so inconsiderately, as she now thought, divided amongst the beggars of the city. In such a state of mind, and having fasted all the day, she was naturally enough quite fatigued and hungry when she reached her dwelling; she immediately repaired to her now deserted and desolate room, to take her supper, after which, as she could not bring herself to attend to anything further, she retired early to bed, filled with deep and bitter anguish at the sudden and unexpected change in her fortune. Before retiring she left a message with her slave that if the usual invitation should arrive for her to attend at the king’s palace, to return for answer that she was indisposed, and could not therefore present herself before his majesty. As may well be imagined, the actress spent a restless night, what with the contest within her between inveterate hatred of the parrot, grief for the severe loss that his trick had entailed

49 upon her, and plans for her future conduct. We will leave her for the present, and return to Koobjuck, the sentinel, whom we left reigning in the place of his king and the rightful owner of the throne. This man exercised all the authority with which his new position had invested him, with the iron hand of a despot. His subjects were becoming discontented and insubordinate, under the accumulation of the evils that had been heaped upon them by the new monarch. They began even to doubt the identity of the person now ruling with their old and revered monarch Vickramadetea; and, as we said before, the belief in transmigration being common in the city, they were in a manner convinced that the new monarch be- fore them was but an usurper, who by some unknown and unaccountable means had contrived to assume the body of Vickram. Nevertheless, they submitted to his oppressive measures. The original gifts and grants in lands and villages bestowed by Vickram were revoked and taken back, as crown property, and from those who were allowed to retain them, which in some few cases happened, he demanded a moiety of the whole produce; from those who were in the receipt of annual nemnooks* and pensions, he deducted a third; many of the officers' salaries were reduced to the smallest possible pittance; and his subjects were otherwise subjected to great and glaring injustice, and were consequently one and all much distressed. It happened that about this time a brahmin named Somedut arrived at Koobjuck's court, to receive his annual gifts. He was a sage, a learned man, and an ornament to his calling and society. Koobjuck enquired of his ministers who this brahmin was. They replied, "Can your majesty be ignorant of one who has for a long time enjoyed your majesty's warmest friendship? He has been in the habit of coming here regularly every year to receive his customary allowances. His reputation for wisdom and learning is well known to your majesty, as well as to all your subjects."

• Stipends. H

50 “ Well, then,” said the king, “ pay him a quarter of his gift ; there is no necessity for giving him more : do as I bid you.” The brahmin was astounded at this unusual proceeding, and very injudiciously made the following remark :—“ I cannot think you act as becomes your exalted position. Vickramadetea always entertained me at his court with every demonstration of respect and pleasure, and not unfrequently sent me back loaded with presents in addition to the regular allotment ; indeed he was in all respects a most humane, just, and discerning prince. You are placed in authority over this kingdom, and, to acquit yourself well of the trust, should prove a father to the people you rule. From what I now observe, and other circum- stances that have come under my notice, you are unworthy of your dignity. I feel assured that God will sooner or later visit you with his severe judgment, on account of the course you now pursue, and the outrages and cruel barbarities you are inflicting upon your subjects.” Koobjuck, highly indignant at the daring of the brahmin, directed an officer in attendance to take him immediately from his sight, and to turn him out of the city with ignominy. “ Tell him,” said he, “ to go in search of his mighty Vickramadetea, as he calls him, and if he succeeds in finding this imaginary person, he may perhaps meet with satisfac- tion.” “ Have a little patience,” said the brahmin, “ I will endeavour to find him, and bring him here, depend upon it. It would be in vain that my mother carried me for nine months in her womb, if I fail in this. Allow me to remind you that the Indra and Bhusmasoor were not overlooked by Almighty God, but were punished for their barbarity.” Saying this, and before the officer who had been ordered to remove him could put his orders into execution, the brahmin bounded past him, and was on his way to look for the rightful king, as he had said. He travelled from one city to another, through unknown and unexplored wilds, over hills and dales, and into every place where he thought there was any likelihood of meeting with or hearing of the

51 monarch he was in search of. Neither heat nor cold, hunger or thirst, could damp the ardour with which he prosecuted his pursuit. He anxiously enquired of those he met with in his wanderings whether they could supply him with any information regarding the person he sought, or knew where he could be found or heard of. His food during this long tour consisted of the wild fruits of the earth. At night he sought repose under a tree, or in the shelter of a rock, if he happened to be near one; or, if by chance he was overtaken by the clouds of night near some habitable locality, he found refuge in a temple or dhurumshala* from the inclemencies of the night wind and sometimes of the pelting rain. He never remained in one place longer than was necessary to recruit his failing strength, and that never beyond the hours of night : he was up again in the morning, and on his search for the lost king. He had journeyed in this manner for some time, when he came to a limpid lake, and a temple dedicated to Shiva; into this he went, and thus addressed the idol before him :—" Oh, lord Shiva! be propitious to the undertaking in which I am now engaged, and assist me in speedily obtaining a sight of my lost friend." He then prostrated himself, and having remained so for some time, seated himself on a sopat† ; whilst there, engaged in revolving the past and concerting plans for his future movements, he perceived a young and handsome prince, very interesting in appearance, and richly attired, performing his religious duties. When he had finished his devotions, the brahmin approached him, and addressed him in the following terms :—" Pray, on what account, if I may be permitted to ask, are you engaged in these austerities and pious practices, so uncommon in one of your youth and apparent condition?" The prince replied, "Your question only gives me pain : of what avail is it that I should disclose my grief, which is gnawing my heart's core, to you? Can * A caravanserai. † A branch of the verandah.

52 you bring me relief?" Somedut replied, 'that as yet he did not know whether or not he could afford the prince any relief, " but," said he, " if you will deign to acquaint me with the cause, it may not be out of my power to devise some measures by which the wishes of your heart may be accomplished. I must inform you that I do not request your confidence from any motives of curiosity, .but only because you seem troubled and ill at ease. The hand of death is apparently on you, and unless some speedy remedy be applied to check the tyrant in his course, I fear lest you may succumb. Pray, therefore, unbosom yourself to me. I may possibly possess the means of alleviating your sorrow, if not of removing its cause." 'The prince then enquired of the brahmin who he was, whence he had come, and where he was travelling to. The brahmin having satisfied the prince on these several points, the latter began as follows :— " About two yojuns* from where we now stand, there is a subterranean dwelling, with a gate leading to it, wherein dwells with her father a princess named Pudmavuntty; it is a stately palace which they inhabit. He who is to win the hand of this princess, who is transcendantly beautiful, must consent to a condition, one of the most difficult and hazardous that can well be imagined. It is this : a vessel, filled with oil and other inflammatory liquids in a boiling state, is placed on a furnace, and the man, whoever he is, must bathe himself in it by the aid of a sinkat† suspended over the same. If he effects this without injury to himself, the princess will accept him for her future lord and master. She is without exception the most beautiful woman the world ever produced. I have several times attempted to go through the ordeal, but have not had sufficient courage to proceed with it. On each occasion of my failure I have returned to this place, and in silence poured out the inward workings of my heart before the shrine of the god to whom * A measure of length, equal to four coss, or eight English miles. † A sling, the string or loop of which is attached to either end of a pole or yoke, to receive the burden.

53

this temple is dedicated, as you found me a short time ago. Twelve long years have rolled over my head since I first saw the princess. I reside in the city of Chundragerry; my father is named Chundrasain, a powerful king, who still reigns in that kingdom. My name is Duntsain. I love this princess too much to hope for any peace of mind while we remain apart from each other. I came down here to make another essay of my courage; but the arduous condition attached to the winning of the princess has quite wearied me. Still my passion for her is daily gaining strength, and I cannot restrain it. Death would indeed be pre- ferable to remaining in this dreadful state of agitation and suspense.” During this narration, the prince became much affected, and appeared pressed down by the weight of his grief. The brahmin, however, assured him that if he would have a little patience and moderate his grief, he would in a few days put him in a way to become possessed of the object of his affection; and, after adding some further words of consolation, he withdrew. The brahmin, having left the prince, seated himself in the shade of the nearest tree, and racked his brains, not how to bring about the wishes of the unfortunate prince he had just returned from, but how to gain some information of his sovereign, the good and beloved Vickramadetea. The sun having run his course, was now fast giving place to the shades of evening, and the refreshed traveller once more was afoot, and wending his onward course. A few hours’ smart walking brought him to the city of Sendoornuggry. As he approached it he walked in the direction of a temple erected in the outskirts of the town, with a beautiful lake beside it. It was the same temple and lake, as our readers will have surmised, in which the parrot sought refuge after his narrow escape from death at the hands of the inhuman cook of the famed actress. The traveller entered the temple, and paid his devotions to the goddess Kallika, and then returned to the inviting shade of the clump of trees on the borders of

54 the lake. It so happened that the tree under which he sat was the one most loved by the parrot. The brahmin, after having adjusted his clothes, which had been disarranged by his recent travelling, raised his voice and prayed loudly. “Oh, supreme ruler of the universe!” said he, “do not permit me to go back empty-handed from my travels. I solicit no other favor than that you will be pleased to grant me an interview with my old patron and just king Vickra- madetea. The world does not often produco such a rare and virtuous prince: he is rich in every good quality.” Before the brahmin took up his position under the tree, the unfor- tunate parrot, who was perched up aloft, had observed him approaching. He now said to the brahmin, “My good sir, you seem to have come a long distance, and you are greatly fatigued, no doubt, by walking in this hot season of the year. Pray be seated. Please inform me respecting your destination, whom you seek, and your reasons for under- taking so long a journey.” The traveller was extremely pleased at the consideration and sympathising manner in which he was addressed. He suspected something, but could not well define even to himself what that suspicion was. He said to the parrot, however, “Oh, excellent parrot! too truly am I fatigued, both in body and mind; but I feel much relieved of my anxiety at beholding you and hearing you speak. If you are not what you seem to be, pray tell me. I suspect you to be the king of whom I am in search. If so, hasten your return to the city of Oujein. I entreat you, lose no time; and make me acquainted with the circumstances attending your metamorphosis. If you will afford me no comfort in this respect, I shall certainly die of grief.” “By what means,” said the parrot, “would you know again the king? Perhaps he is not in human shape.” “Why not?” said the traveller; “he is a most excellent personage, and I can point him out by virtue of his wisdom, exquisite beauty, and other rare qualities. I am sanguine I shall soon meet him. I see marvellous signs that forebode it. My hand is quivering, my right eye twitching, and the bird

55 Pingla* frequently perches near me. From these signs I am led to believe that it will not be long ere my desire to behold Vickramadetea be accomplished.” Having listened to all that the traveller had said, the parrot, at one bound, approached him, and declared himself to be Vickramadetea. He then related how he had become a parrot, his proceedings while in the possession of the Bahooroopee, in what manner he had been bought by Dushwant, the barbarous attempt of Kamsaina, the actress, against his life, how she became deprived of her riches through his instrumentality, and all the hardships he had endured. He dwelt largely on each of the circumstances attendant upon his adventures. -Lastly, thanking the brahmin for his sincerity and gratitude towards him, which were exemplified by the trouble he had taken to seek him at so great a distance from Oujein,—passing over mountains, through wastes unknown, and foreign cities, where he must have encountered a variety of dangers, disappointments, and delays, and all the hardships and privations attendant upon such a journey,—the bird assured the brahmin that he would at all times and ever after remember, with deep gratitude and profound sentiments of love and esteem, the sacrifices and inconveniences he had been put to for his sake. “My dear Vickramadetea,” said the brahmin, “I have certainly endured much for you, but the wish of my heart being realised, they are no longer thought of, still less dwelt upon. I now feel a most delightful sensation of pleasure that is undefinable. I am, now that I have found you, supremely happy.” And he held the parrot to his bosom, and loaded him with kisses and fond embraces. He made the parrot acquainted with the treatment he had received from the infamous Koobjuck, when he presented himself at court for his yearly allowance; nor did he forget to relate the case of the unfortunate prince whom he had found at his devotions, and practising austerities and severities upon his person, at the temple, and

• A sort of crane, the appearance of which is said to be a good omen.

56 the assurance he had given him that he would exert all his powers to secure for him the desire of his heart—the hand- some princess. Vickramadetea's nobleness prompted him to attend to the wants of others, ere he proceeded with anything for himself; so he expressed to the brahmin his willingness to proceed to the place where the young prince of whom he spoke was to be met with, and promised that he would assist in the endeavour to obtain the hand of the princess for the anxious and devoted lover. The parrot and the brahmin passed the night together under the same tree, and in the morning, Somedut placed him on his shoulder and retraced his steps towards the temporary abode of prince Duntsain. The prince saw the brahmin with the parrot approaching, and awaited them with anxiety depicted on his countenance. When they came near to him he saluted Somedut, and addressed him thus :—" My dear Somedut, since your departure I have been placed in a worse position than that in which you found me on your first visit. My passion is killing me gradually, my patience is fast wearing out, my courage fails me more than ever, and I am the most wretched of human creatures." The brahmin replied, " Look here, this bird is the king Vickramadetea, and he will be the means of procuring you your wishes," and he placed the bird on the prince's hand, who prostrated himself in all respect before it. The prince was pleased, and a gleam of joy shot through his withered heart. He likewise made his obeisance, entreating both the king and Somedut not to suffer him any longer to remain a prey to the anguish he had borne for twelve long years and more, but to take pity upon him, and to fulfil the promise they had vouchsafed to make him in their kindness of heart as early as possible. The parrot told his friend Somedut that he wished him to learn the charm of changing his natural shape and appearance, as it was necessary they should mutually exchange their conditions : in this way he said he would be able to bring about speedily the prince's desire. Somedut consented at once, and commenced to learn the mysterious

57 charm ; when he became sufficiently versed in it to answer present purposes, they were each of them transformed : Vickramadetea became a brahmin, and the brahmin a parrot. This bird was delivered into the hands of Prince Duntsain, who, together with the bird and the newly-created brahmin, proceeded to the gate of the princess' subterranean dwelling. Having reached it, the prince and the parrot remained outside, while the brahmin entered alone, and did not stop till he had reached the magnificent palace, situated in the centre of a vast enclosure. He perceived near the palace, in an opposite direction, the whole of the machinery which had been represented to him. He went on till he came up to a number of slaves loitering about. He desired one of them to go instantly and inform his mistress Pudmavuntty that a stranger had arrived, willing to win her hand on the stipulated terms. The slave having reported the arrival of the brahmin to his mistress, introduced him by her sanction into her appartment, which was constructed in a most magnificent style, and at enormous cost, by the most skilful architect of the time. The walls and massive pillars were covered with numerous beautiful representations of beasts and birds, in paintings of gold, with trees of verdant enamel ; then, passing a hall, he was agreeably surprised to see one of the finest orchards a man can well conceive but rarely sees, in which the wonderful and tasteful arrangement of the trees and shrubs, their luxuriant growth, the diversity of the fruits, some few of which he had never before seen or heard of, their freshness and delicacy, and the sweet perfume wafted along by the gentle play of the breeze that was then blowing, all conspired to overpower him with a sensation of unalloyed pleasure for the time. The flower-garden was not less extraordinary in its kind : it was, as in the case of the orchard, arranged with much tasteful skill, and the fragrance issuing from a thousand different sources was a luxury vouchsafed to few. The sweet warblings of a number of birds added to the grandeur and attractions of the place. In short, whoever entered this domicile could not help being I

58 transported with ecstacy at the many and varied sources of enjoyment and pleasure that were there to be met with. The brahmin found that the Princess Pudmavuntty, the mistress of all these rarities, was herself the rarest of all rarities. She was so handsome that fancy could not possibly picture a more perfect being. She was dressed in the richest and costliest linen, and wore precious stones of immense value and in great quantity. When she saw the brahmin advancing towards her, she welcomed him in a very courteous manner, and thus spoke to him :—" I have long been expecting a person like yourself; your looks convince me that you will soon become master of the art by which alone any one can obtain my hand. I sincerely hope you will not prove unworthy of the venture you have made, but that, by a successful execution of your arduous task, you will succeed in establishing a right to claim me in marriage." The supposed brahmin replied that he would strive his utmost to become capable of giving adequate proof of his sincerity. He then approached the vessel, called to mind the supreme power of God, and, before ascending in the sinka, took a small portion of a peculiar description of grass, and, having pronounced some words connected with a charm over it, threw it into the oil which was boiling up, and descended at once into it through the sinka that was suspended. It is wonderful to relate that the oil suddenly became cold and calm! He remained for a few moments in it, turning from one side to another, and he sustained not the slightest injury thereby. The princess, seeing this success, came running with a garland of flowers in her hand to encircle the neck of her future lord, as is usually the case among princesses. She had herself witnessed the prodigy, and there was no mistaking it. She requested him to embrace the earliest opportunity for solemnising their marriage ceremony; and, putting forth her hand, while encircling his neck with the string of flowers, she said, "I am fully satisfied with your might, and will irrevocably become yours. Pray make haste and come out." "You

59 are now mine, and whatever I shall bid you perform you must agree to in all obedience," said the brahmin in reply. "Yes, my lord," said she, "I can truly affirm henceforth I am your slave, entirely disposed to comply with all your wishes." The brahmin immediately came out of the vessel, and declared to her the particular case of the unfortunate Prince Duntsain,—that he had, during a period of twelve years, practised religious austerities, in the hope of conciliating the gods in his favor, in order to become pos- sessed of her,—and that, therefore, she must of necessity marry him. She, having already promised obedience to his commands, after reflecting for a short time remembered that she had done wrong in thus pledging her word. "I will, however," said she aloud, "if you wish it, attend to the request of Prince Duntsain; but you must first oblige me in one respect, otherwise I shall not do so." "Do not hesitate to make me acquainted with your wish," replied the brahmin, "for I am ready to oblige you in any way you can point out, so long as you agree to take the prince for your future husband." She promised to explain in the evening, and in the mean while asked him to partake of a meal with her in her apartments, with which he complied. When it was night, and they had partaken of the meal, they seated themselves on a couch in deep conversation; after some time had elapsed in this way, the brahmin asked her to communicate to him what she had said in the morning was to be the condition of her taking Prince Duntsain for her future lord. "I do not wish to ask you for any favors, or to put you to any inconvenience," said the princess, "all I desire is, that you will make me laugh and speak four different times successively; I will then do as you bid me. Failing in this, however, I must give you distinctly to understand that I will not accept of the prince for my husband." The brahmin felt disconcerted at this pro- position, but he immediately thought of Veytal, whom he instantly summoned to the spot. He appeared to Vickrama- detea, but remained invisible to all others. Vickramadetea

told him the circumstances in which he was placed, and besought his kind offices. The spirit promised them, and said, “My good sir, be easy—be always merry and cheerful. I shall not fail to do before the princess that which will cause her to relax her rigidity and laugh outright, and thus will you gain your end; and what is more, she will at the same time be thankful to you for it, instead of viewing it, as she now does, with an unfavorable eye.” So saying he departed; and with this interview between Vickramadetea and Veytal we close the present chapter.

61 CHAPTER V. Vickram reposes in the palace of Princess Pudmavuntty—Veytal appears, in the form of a parrot, and commences to relate the history of King Bhudrasain, his son Soorsain, and the princess his wife. KING VICKRAMADETEA, under the guise of the brahmin, now reposed within the splendid and sumptuous palace of the Princess Pudmavuntty. At the same time the spirit of Veytal transformed himself into a parrot that was represented in one of the paintings on the wall, and came down and rested near where Vickramadetea and the princess were reposing. He began by stroking and flapping his wings in a sly and knowing manner. The princess, observing this unusual circumstance and great novelty, was exceedingly amused; having never before witnessed such a strange faculty in a bird, she involuntarily commenced laughing. The parrot, seeing this, redoubled his efforts: drawing a mark in front of him with his claw, he continued his tricks, and gave unmistakeable signs of his knowledge of the state of affairs between her and the man beside her, to whom he pointed from time to time. The brahmin, observing that the princess had laughed, thus addressed the parrot:—"Oh, beautiful, lovely, and knowing bird! may I now solicit of you a parti- cular favour? I would you could be persuaded to relate to us one of the many amusing and pleasant stories which are doubtless stored in your little head, from the recounting of which the princess may derive both instruction and amuse- ment, while I shall equally profit by it." The parrot replied, "I should consider it to be the height of presump- tion were I to attempt to do so at your desire, and without the express sanction of my mistress. I must therefore address myself first to the lady. I pray, madam," said the parrot, addressing the princess, "that you will be pleased D

62 to grant your visitor the satisfaction he solicits, by permit- ting me to commence the story." The princess paid no attention to this, but continued silent. The bird, seeing how taciturn she had all of a sudden become, and knowing the cause, continued his supplication, saying, "I beseech you, oh, goddess! my adored angel, and most kind hostess! would that it were possible for me to express in adequate terms my feelings of joy on beholding you! I have seen and do see daily, during my perambulations, vast numbers of handsome women, acknowledged beauties, but never have my eyes beheld such heavenly charms concentrated in one single individual as I have now the inexpressible joy of paying homage to; indeed, I am so overcome with feelings of delight, that I can scarce be said to be in possession of my senses. Permit me, fair lady, to relate a truly inter- esting story, abounding in wit and mirth. Cast your eyes upon me, and allow me to proceed; it will afford much pleasure to the brahmin beside you, and no less to yourself. Your impenetrable silence affects me much, good mistress. I cannot form an idea as to the cause of the melancholy with which you appear to be overwhelmed, and which seems to have almost struck you dumb." The princess was seated in sullen silence, with her eyes fixed, and gazing intently on vacancy, and would neither bestow a single glance upon the parrot nor utter a word of encouragement to him. Amongst the numerous slaves and others surrounding the princess, was one who observed the efforts of the bird to attract her attention, and pitied his failure. She ventured to entreat her mistress that the parrot might be allowed to proceed with his story, and that she would deign to sanction it, as there was doubtless much pleasure to be derived from it. This being a favorite domestic of the princess, she obtained a hearing, and the princess was prevailed upon, though with much evident reluctance, to break silence. She ordered the parrot to proceed with his story. On receiving the order, the bird seemed transported with joy, and instantly set about relating his tale.

63 "In the great and flourishing town of Bhadravutty," said he, "there reigned once a just and noble king named Bhu- drasain. He was held in great repute for his virtues, and was endowed with qualities that rendered him deservedly esteemed by his subjects and all who knew him. It is therefore not to be wondered at that his kingdom was in profound peace, and the people contented and happy. They worshipped God according to their respective forms of religion, without let or hindrance, as this prince made it a point never to interfere with the consciences of his subjects, but to allow them to remain free and unshackled. In a word, they were mutually happy and free, both the sovereign and his subjects. Providence had in its liberality showered its choicest blessings upon this monarch, and there was but one drawback to the otherwise perfect bliss that he might be said to enjoy : this was nothing less than the want of a son to bear the weight of his crown and wield his sceptre during his declining years. The monarch was at this period advanced in years, though not to that extent when the hope of an issue is generally said to be lost. He was therefore very anxious to have the pleasure of seeing one of his line seated on the throne, ere he closed his earthly career. It was his constant practice to beseech heaven to grant his request, and no amount of charity was grudged in order to propitiate the gods, and to secure the prayers of the holy men to this end. One day, the king being seated in the audience hall, surrounded by his ministers and others, his mind still occupied with the paramount wish of his heart, a hermit called Soodew* arrived from the remote city of Dwarka. His form and person were far from prepossess- ing : with a face pale and languid, eyes sunken, and grisly hair, he might have been taken for one of those beings who are said to spend the best part of their lives in deserts, far from the habitations of man. But he was a sage, profoundly skilled in the sciences, and in all the branches of useful

• This hermit would seem to be the same who taught King Vick- ramadeten the art of transmigration. D

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knowledge; he was also learned in divine law. When he presented himself at court, the king, perceiving him, hastily descended from his throne, and prostrating himself before the withered creature, besought him to take his place on the throne, which, from the well-known qualities he possessed, the king said, he was most fitted to adorn. The hermit consented, whereupon the king (according to the Hindoo practice) worshipped the holy man. He then dismissed the officials of his court, save a few belonging to his household, and sent for the queen, after having first introduced the hermit into the private apartments of his palace. The queen approached the hermit with the same respectful demeanour that the king had observed, and in like manner paid her obeisance at the hermit's feet. The king and queen, as may well be supposed, consulted the hermit chiefly on the subject uppermost in their hearts, and in all their intercourse paid a marked deference to the sage. The hermit, observ- ing the disinterested homage paid to him by them, bestowed his blessing upon both with great solemnity, and assured them they would speedily see their wish realised. The son that should be born to them would prove, he said, worthy of their exalted rank and position; his name would be handed down to distant ages for his brilliant conquests and many eminent virtues, and finally, he would enjoy long life, health, and happiness. After this, the time for their afternoon meal had arrived, and the hermit was invited to partake of every possible delicacy that the palace could afford. At the conclusion of this entertainment, the king perfumed the person of the hermit with choice scents, and entreated him, in the most affectionate and flattering terms, to give him some advice regarding the subject nearest his heart —that of obtaining male issue, to hand down his name and virtues to posterity. The hermit replied that such things were at the disposal of God alone, and that it was in the power of no man to give any advice by which such a consummation could be effected. The Divine Power above, he said, for reasons not known to us, often deprives us of this

65 pleasure and comfort, perhaps because we are not sufficiently obedient to his will, and that when we pray we fail to do so with humble reliance on Him. ‘How often,’ said he, ‘do we not, even in extreme cases, place our faith rather in man, when our dependence in all things, even to the smallest item, should be on God alone! Go,’ continued the hermit, ‘perform certain sacrifices, open your inmost soul to heaven, seek the divine aid in humble supplication, and entreat all devout men and brahmins to join you in your prayers, and you may move God to grant your request; there is no other means. To God alone must you apply.’ The king attended to all the hermit had said, and having assembled all the good and devout men in his realms, besought them to address their prayers to heaven for a prince to succeed him. The sacrifice ordered by the hermit was performed, and soon after the united prayers of the people and their sovereign were heard, and it pleased heaven in due time for the queen to prove with child. This event caused, not unreason- ably, universal joy in the kingdom, and the king and queen were in addition filled with so profound a feeling of gratitude that they testified it in more ways than one. Among others, the king gave a general invitation to all the devout men and priests to assemble together in his palace on a certain day, and there to partake of his bounty in a style of princely magnificence. He treated them with profuse liberality, bestowing on them rich and costly presents in gold, jewels, and apparel, and they departed, extolling in a loud voice the generosity of the monarch, and the many virtues that adorned him. Not satisfied with this, he set apart a large amount of money to be distributed amongst the poor of his dominions, which elicited from them repeated blessings on his head. To the hermit he gave many a costly gift, in proof of the high estimation in which he was held; and in a flow of gratitude threw himself at his feet, and blessed him for the kind sympathy he had manifested in his behalf. The hermit soon afterwards retired, fully convinced of the great- ness and power of the monarch, of which he had given him J