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

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moment for the commencement of the sacrifice, and the
latter suggested the necessary preparations, at the same time
undertaking the office of providing all things accordingly.
The king then summoned his minister, and despatched
him with a suitable retinue to invite foreign princes to be
present on the occasion of his great sacrifice. A horse,
splendidly arrayed, was led in the minister's train, to
signify, as is the usual practice, that the preparatory cere-
monies of the sacrifice had commenced. A temporary
arbour, of a magnificent description, was constructed for
the occasion, richly ornamented within and without with all
the grandeur which is ever at the command of wealth and
power. The roads leading to this arbour were sprinkled
with water to lay the dust, and orders were issued for
adorning the whole city, in honor of the great sacrifice at
the palace, and for observing a period of general rejoicing.
The royal camp, although very spacious, was soon filled
with the numerous troops belonging to the foreign princes,
who were entertained with every imaginable courtesy and
respect during the interval preceding the day of the sacrifice,
at which they were invited to be present. The brahmins,
sages, hermits, and devotees of all denominations, gathered
together in one large assemblage, and performed their sacred
duties with much reverence and profound meditation round
the sacrificial pit, which had been dug according to the
usual form, and in which a fire was kept constantly burning.
Gopichund, having put on his royal robes, embroidered
with gold and ornamented with precious stones and pearls,
attended in person, with the sacrificial bracelet round his
wrist, which almost vied in splendour and dazzling bright-
ness with the resplendent rays of the sun, which was then
shining in all its glory. The sacrifice was to be performed
by the monarch himself, and he had been instructed in all
the necessary duties by the chief priest, who attended him.
King Vickramadetea's minister, whose name was Bhutty,
and Somedut the brahmin, disguised as mendicants, arrived
at King Gopichund's capital at this time, as had been agreed
2H