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

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be necessary for the journey should be made as speedily as
possible. When all was ready, he, with his mother and
sister, (for so we shall call them for brevity's sake,) and a
small retinue, set out for the plain where his father Soorsain
had been taken away by the water deities. When he came
to the lake he gave directions for encamping there, and his
pavilion and the tents of the retinue were immediately
pitched on the banks ; after which the king called together a
number of hermits, brahmins, and other devout persons, to
whom, when they had all assembled, he stated the whole
case, requesting at the same time their advice as to how he
was to get his father Soorsain back from the abode of the
water fairies. The brahmins proposed that certain offerings
should be made to fire, close to the lake, for which purpose
they caused a pit to be dug to hold the sacred embers.
They then entered upon a profound meditation, each person
being engaged in performing the respective part allotted to
him. This lasted for nine days. In order to propitiate the
deities, at the close of the sacrifice they set apart certain
pure trees and clarified butter, which they burnt in the
sacrificial fire ; but the deities not appearing particularly
favorable to Prince Bulsain, he took a knife in his hand,
and, after calling upon God, began to slice the flesh off his
arms, and to cast it into the burning flames. The deities
still seeming indifferent to his prayers, in a most humble
manner, and after deep meditation, he appealed to the
Almighty, and raised his hand to sever his head from his
body ; but lo ! the deities instantly appeared in the sky,
saying, ' Oh, prince ! ask what you will ; we can refuse you
nothing, for we are pleased with your generous exploit.'
The prince answered them, ' If you are pleased with me,
give me King Soorsain, my honored father !' They
immediately disappeared and released Soorsain, who coming
suddenly from the lake, first embraced Bulsain, his son,
and then prostrated himself at the feet of the pious men
there assembled. The princess now suddenly emerged
from among her attendants and waiting-women, and, after