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

238

saying, ‘Most gracious and generous Suraishwer!—as you
have expressed yourself pleased with my conduct, your
majesty will please place your hand on my head, and I will
ask you for a token of your royal favour.’ Indra accordingly
placed his hand on Charoo’s head, when the latter spoke as
follows :—‘My lord! you will be graciously pleased to
dispense in future with the attendance of my wife Chitrangee
at your royal subha, when the bherry may happen to be
sounded at her mansion; and should your majesty desire
her to sing and dance before you, you will graciously be
pleased to overlook any slight imperfection or omission.’
‘I willingly grant you this favour,’ said Indra; ‘but this
is only a poor return for all you have done and suffered
for her: ask for something more worthy of you.’ ‘My
bountiful lord! there is nothing that I can at this moment
wish for. I have more than I can well enjoy, your gene-
rosity to my wife having placed at my disposal the means
of living in continued bliss.’ Indra then bestowed his
blessing on Charoo, and the subha adjourned. Shortly after,
Charoo and Chitrangee entreated permission to leave, which
being granted, they returned to Chitrakoot in great joy,
where they lived in uninterrupted happiness.
“One day, being seated together, conversing on different
topics, Chitrangee addressed Charoo thus:—‘My dear love,
I entreat you to let me know what relatives you have,
what your profession was, where your birth-place is, and
whether you are royally descended.’ Charoo informed her
of his birth, parentage, and profession, and the reason why
he had left his brothers. When he approached the conclud-
ing part of his narrative, and thought of his wife and her
trinkets, he felt a qualm of conscience, and was for a time
silent. He was much affected by the reminiscences that
had been called up by his speaking of the past. He had
not once thought of his former wife since the eventful day
on which he parted from her, so wholly engrossed had his
mind been with the lovely Chitrangee and the incidents
attendant upon his marriage with her. ‘My dear Charoo!