विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)
Vikram Charita or Adventures of Vikramaditya King of Ujjain
कवि हरिदास / परम्परा द्वारा
पृष्ठ 198, कुल 308 में से
संदर्भ में पढ़ें186
Rajhouse replied, “I do not refuse to do your bidding, but
ere I proceed I must beg of you to obtain the permission of
our royal hostess, which is essentially necessary. Moreover,
the relation I purpose giving is one of much interest, and
will doubtless be productive of considerable amusement.”
The princess, hearing this, thought to herself that this tale
would probably surpass even those she had already heard,
and therefore bade the Rajhouse proceed at once with it;
whereupon the bird, having indicated to the brahmin that
the princess had both laughed and spoken, and solicited the
close attention of all present to what he was about to relate,
began as follows:—
“There was once in heaven, in Indra’s* hall of audience,
a grand assemblage of angels and other spirits, at which
dancing-girls of every description and nation were invited
to attend. Among them was one named Chitrangee, who
was possessed of great beauty and attractions, combined
with skill and a genteel deportment. Indra, who was much
pleased with her, desired her to sing and dance, and she
submissively obeyed his royal mandate. She sang with
such tenderness and pathos that the whole assemblage
expressed their high delight, and extolled her beauty and
qualifications in very profuse terms, as well as her musical
performance. Before, however, she had ended the dance,
she lost her unison and consonance with the instrument,
which greatly displeased them. Indra, preceiving this
confusion, fell into a violent passion, and exclaimed, ‘O thou
wretched woman!—thou false one!—what is this thou art
doing before the subha?† Thou shalt assume the form of
humanity, and dwell in the world!’ These words fell upon
the ears of Chitrangee like a thunder-clap, and she stood
as though spell-bound in the midst of her dancing. Clasping
- The name of the deity presiding over Swarga (the Hindoo Para-
dise) and the secondary divinities.
† An assembly.