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

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fair lady, do not give yourself up thus to grief. This is a
misfortune, I am aware, of no ordinary kind, and which you
must keenly feel, but recollect that it was beyond all
human control: it is appointed for all men to die once.
Although I cannot but acknowledge that to be altogether
insensible to the loss, the irreparable loss, you have this
day sustained would be impossible, nay inexcusable in you,
yet permit me to observe there is a wide difference between
such callousness and moderation in grief, to which I would
fain bring you. To be sensible of God’s afflicting hand
under such a dispensation, and to receive it as the punish-
ment which we have deserved, is the bounden duty of all,
but it would be a species of rebellion against the inscrutable
decrees of Heaven to be inconsolable. That you may not,
therefore, add sin to your affliction, allow me to withdraw
you from this scene. I have a daughter, who, at my
desire, will be ever ready to render you all the assistance in
her power, and who will treat you in all respects as a sister.
I assure you I will afford you every protection, and place
you entirely on an equal footing with her, so long as you
may think fit to reside in my court.” The widow replied,
—“I am extremely thankful to your majesty for your kind
and generous offer, and for the sympathy expressed in your
speech, but I request that you will be pleased to order im-
mediately the necessary preparations for burning me, as I
look not to survive this catastrophe, nor do I wish it. I am
resolved to sacrifice myself on the pile that will be raised to
perform my husband’s last rites, and I entreat you will
not, either by argument or other means, attempt to dis-
suade me from my fixed and unalterable design.” The
king endeavoured to impress upon her the gross absurdity
of such conduct, and to show how much it was at variance
with the mild precepts of religion and the character of the
Divine Being. “Let me advise you,” said he, “to reflect
for one moment on the revolting nature of the act you are
about to commit; it is repugnant to every feeling of huma-
nity and good sense. Return home, and give it your due