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

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we will return, if you wish it, and take the other road. I
fear no danger, but with the hermit's blessing I feel myself
equal to anything. Be of good cheer, friend Hurridass,
and let us at once go forward.' Hurridass tried to dissuade
the prince, but it was in vain, and it was therefore finally
resolved to follow the prince's proposition, though only with
the passive consent of the minister's son.
“They had not proceeded far when they came to an
immense and dark forest, where numberless trees of gigantic
growth raised their towering heads to the skies; birds of
various shapes, colours, and species, were perched thereon;
the wild roarings of the forest denizens, inspiring terror at
every step, were occasionally heard; whilst venemous
reptiles met the eye in every direction. No human being
could be discerned save the two youths. They made all
speed to pass this forest ere the clouds of night should over-
take them, and they shortly after arrived at a desert, which
having crossed, they beheld, with extreme astonishment, a
huge giant, of frightful appearance and most ferocious
countenance, seated at the foot of a rock. They gazed on
a figure of such unusual proportions with feelings of the
most profound awe. His large and fiery eyes were fiercely
rolling, his tongue protruded, and a tusk, like that of a boar,
was visible on either side of his immense mouth. His
nostrils emitted the most noxious effluvia, and his saliva
streamed down his chin. His ears were like two flapping
wings, and he presented altogether a most hideous and
fiendish appearance. The two youths thought to escape his
notice, but the monster, observing them, walked up, and in
a voice of thunder bade them stop, adding that he was lucky
in obtaining so unusually good and plentiful a meal, and
that he would not on any account allow himself to be
baulked of it, as he was voraciously hungry. He then
eyed them separately, as if debating within himself which
of them he should first devour, when the prince, addressing
him in a firm and resolute manner, said, ‘What mean you,
wretch? Think you we will permit you to feed upon us,