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

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fortunately succeeded in arresting his uplifted arm. ‘What
deed of wickedness are you about to perpetrate?’ demanded
he; ‘do you wish to hurry yourself into eternity with all
your misdeeds and imperfections on your head? Is this
the morality and wisdom which you have learnt from our
holy religion? Do you not fear God? Desist, I pray you
desist!’ ‘I fear God, and none else,’ replied the now
desperate prince; ‘but as life has no longer any charms
for me, what is left me but to die?’ Hurridass replied,
‘Do not rush headlong to destruction. Bide your time.
He who lives in the fear of God, and places his dependence
on Him, may rest in peace; no real evil can befal him.
What may appear as trials to the short-sighted vision of
man, are but blessings in disguise. Losses, disappoint-
ments, bereavements, and pains, ought each and all to be
looked upon as corrections and admonitions dealt out by a
fatherly hand, and therefore blessings. Let a man but
have patience, and put his faith in the Almighty, and he
will surmount all the difficulties that may present themselves
to him. You must be aware of all this, my dear prince,
and yet you are so rash and intemperate as to attempt to
lay violent hands on yourself, and thus to sacrifice a life so
precious as yours is to all—to me in particular! Alas!
your rashness makes me relent: I cannot, considering the
resolve that has now taken possession of your mind,—of
putting an end to your existence if we do not continue our
friendship,—hesitate a moment to do as you wish, though
at a great and imminent personal hazard to myself.
‘What!’ exclaimed the wretched prince, ‘do you hold out
hopes for me?’ ‘I was going to say,’ continued Hurri-
dass, ‘that I consider I should be endangering your life
were I to refuse compliance with your wishes; I must
therefore even swerve from my determination’—‘And
consent!’ cried the prince. ‘You have said it,’ replied
Hurridass; ‘I must resolve on leaving my parents and home
on your account. Let us not be rash, however, but give
the subject a few hours’ consideration.’ ‘Tush!’ cried the