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

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before him, in case he succeeded, encouraged him greatly.
He went to the palace, near which the pillar was erected,
and enquired of the head guardsman whether what he had
heard as having been proclaimed regarding the princess was
true ; and on receiving a reply in the affirmative, Charoo
first examined the pillar very narrowly, and then briskly
climbed to the top of it. It was not without difficulty,
however, and that of no ordinary kind, that he effected this
feat. Having got up, he proceeded slowly to untie the
silken knots which enclosed the rubies, and having secured
them all, he descended with far greater ease than he
mounted. He gave the rubies to his creditor, who, being
now perfectly satisfied, went his way.
“The guardsman in charge of the pillar never for a
moment expected that Charoo was capable of displaying so
much perseverance and presence of mind as was required
for so hazardous an undertaking, and he was therefore much
astonished when he saw it performed so readily. The
agility and strength of Charoo soon became the theme of
conversation throughout the city ; and the report of the
performance of the arduous feat was immediately conveyed
to the king, who was greatly delighted to hear of the youth’s
prowess. He directed Charoo to be introduced into the
palace without the loss of a moment, and all eyes were
directed to where the hero of the day was to make his
appearance. Charoo was accordingly brought in, and the
king advanced to meet him, and to give him a cordial wel-
come, extolling his courage and perseverance in terms of
high praise ; after which he was conducted into the presence
of the princess.
“The fair Chitrangee, seeing a young man of prepossess-
ing appearance and great physical powers, felt a sudden love
for him in the private recesses of her heart. She was grati-
fied, too, that he had ventured forth to win her at so great
a risk of humiliation and mortifying ridicule, to which he
would most certainly have been exposed had he failed in
his attempt. It now only remained for him to give a