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

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told him that he would obtain another life in the person of
Shreeyal, after which Vishnoo disappeared.’ The Rishee,
having ended this recital, added that the fame of Kerna
had not become extinct even to that day. He again
recommended Charoo to start immediately for the city of
Shree Ramashwer, where he said he would obtain what he
desired. Charoo accordingly set out, after partaking of a
slight repast, and thanking the hermit most sincerely for
his friendly advice.
“ Charoo travelled along for many days until he arrived
at the holy city, and a long and very tedious journey it
proved to be. The first thing he did on his arrival was to
perform his ablutions in the sea, and he afterwards visited
the temple dedicated to Shree Ramashwer, where he
worshipped the idol with much reverence and sincerity.
He then formed an establishment in the most eligible
locality, engaged men to prepare rich food and confec-
tionaries, and invited daily a number of holy and devout
brahmins to partake of them ; he likewise distributed a
sufficient quantity anong the poor and indigent, and a
further quantity was also daily thrown into the sea, in the
name of God, for the fishes ; in short, he did all he had
been instructed to do by the hermit. He continued this
for a whole month, and at length the fishes who were fed
daily assembled together in the sea, and resolved to recom-
pense their benefactor to the utmost of their power.* They
decided that their chief should assume the human form,
and present himself before their friend and benefactor.
Accordingly, when Charoo came one day, as usual, to the
beach to throw the food into the sea, the chief of the fishes
came up and asked him how he could serve him, in return
for his daily and profuse liberality to them. Charoo, not
knowing his interrogator, passed him unnoticed, and after
throwing in the food, bent his steps back to his dwelling.
The chief, observing this, approached Charoo a second time,
and made himself known, adding that if he refused them
the satisfaction of showing their gratitude in some way,

232
they would no longer partake of the food. Charoo was
alike astonished and delighted to see the chief of the fishes
before him in the guise of a man; so he paid him some
high compliments and then began to relate the whole of
Chitrangee's misfortunes, which he acknowledged had been
brought on by his own obstinacy, adding that he fed the
fishes with the view of securing their aid to release his wife
from her miserable bondage. 'Will you,' said Charoo,
'be good enough to tell me whether you or any of your
tribe have found in your rambles a new rock? If so, you
will confer a very great favor on me by bringing the rock to
the shore, so that its surface may be exposed to the rays of
the sun.' The chief of the fishes desired Charoo to wait
for a few minutes, telling him that he would hasten back to
him after making the necessary enquiries.
"The chief, having left Charoo on the sea-shore,
proceeded to his friends in the deep, and enquired whether
any of them had discovered a new rock in the sea. They
having replied in the affirmative, he ordered them all to set
about removing the rock to the beach or as near the shore
as possible. Having given his orders he returned to Charoo,
and acquainted him with the joyful intelligence that his
comrades were even then engaged in removing the rock to
the shore, and that by to-morrow he might expect to have
his wishes realised. Charoo thanked him heartily for his
trouble and civility, and added that he fully relied on the
promise and assurance given by the chief, who shortly
afterwards disappeared.
"Before it was quite day, Charoo made his appearance
on the beach, bringing an additional quantity of the best
description of food for the fishes. He looked towards the
sea, but could see nothing of the rock, as it was very foggy;
but in a little time he was agreeably surprised to find that
'the fishes had really removed the rock to the shore. In an
extacy of delight he raised his hands to heaven, and thanked
God for his mercy and the infinitude of his power. As he
turned he beheld near him the chief of the fishes, whom he

233
also thanked, as it was to him personally that he was
indebted for effecting this great and joyful surprise. He
then thought of the hermit, .whose advice he had followed,
and in his heart thanked him with truth and sincerity. In
a little time the sun rose in all his splendour in the east,
and no sooner did his rays fall upon the rock than it
gradually began to melt away, till nothing was left. Charoo
now threw into the sea the food he had brought with him, on
which the chief of the fishes approached him, to whom he
expressed in glowing terms his sense of the service which had
been rendered him by the fishes. 'I know,' said he, 'that
but for the aid I have received I should not have succeeded
in this enterprise, and I am therefore under no small
obligation to you all.'
"The chief of the fishes now produced three rich and
invaluable jewels, which he had brought with him from the
deep, and presented them to Charoo, but the latter could
not be persuaded to accept of them. He said that by
God's grace he had many such at his command; and being
greatly indebted to him already for the removal of the
rock, it would, to say the least, be ungenerous in him to
accept presents from one to whom it would be far more
becoming in him to make them. The chief smiled, and
said, 'What is your idea, then, of the jewels I now offer
you? They are very rare, and greatly excel in their quality
.any you can by any possibility be possessed of. This
jewel,' said he, holding out one of them, 'if worshipped and
worthily reverenced, will supply you with several kinds of
dainties, and the best descriptions of food, in any quantity.
The second will produce in the same manner immense
treasure, and the third will, by merely holding it in your
hand, transport you to any place to which you may wish to
proceed, and that in a very short time.' Charoo, seeing
the use of these extraordinary jewels, received them thank-
fully and with much pleasure; after which he embraced
the chief of the fishes, affectionately took leave of him, and
parted from him to return to his released wife.
EE

234
" Charoo first went to his residence, and most sumptu-
ously entertained the brahmins and devotees assembled
there, presenting each of them with new clothes and
abundance of money, after which he sent them away
completely satisfied.
"‘No sooner was the rock dissolved by the rays of the
sun, than Chitrangee awoke as from a sleep, simultaneously
with the whole city and its population. She anxiously
awaited the arrival of Charoo, for she was aware that to
him alone was she indebted for her speedy restoration to
life and consciousness.
" Charoo, on his part, was equally impatient to join his
wife, and he thought how valuable the jewels presented by
the chief of the fishes were at that moment. He held the
proper one in his hand, and after having reverenced it,
wished to be conveyed to the residence of the hermit, at
Badrikadar. He was immediately transported there, in the
twinkling of an eye, and he entered the hermit’s cell and
prostrated himself before him. He told him all that had
occurred since they last parted, and of the three jewels
which had been presented to him by the chief of the fishes,
one of which enabled him to reach his hermitage in so
brief a space of time. He also described the holy city of
Shree Ramashwer, and its shrines. The hermit was highly
pleased with the account given by Charoo, and with his
success : he heaped blessings upon his head, and told him
that he should be always successful in his undertakings.
Charoo thanked the hermit for this mark of his love, and
acknowledged the many benefits he had received at his
hands. The hermit desired Charoo to proceed at once to
Chitrakoot, as Chitrangee would no doubt be eagerly
expecting him, whereupon he took his leave, with many
expressions of gratitude and obedience. Charoo did not
now require the aid of the friendly geese to transport him
to Chitrakoot. He reverenced the jewel which the chief of
the fishes had presented to him, and, holding it in his
hand, desired to be taken to the palace of his wife.

235
He had scarcely done so when he found himself trans-
ported thither.
“Chitrangee anxiously counted the hours that would be
required for Charoo to travel from Ramashwer to Badrika-
dar, and from thence to Himonchul. She was contem-
plating the dreadful hardships and privations he would
have to encounter on the way, when he was suddenly seen
to advance towards her dwelling. She rose with much joy,
and advanced to meet him: they embraced each other
with much affection, and then retired to the privacy of their
room, where, in the mutual exchange of those kind offices
which true love dictates, they spent many hours. Chitrangee
asked Charoo how he had contrived to return so soon, and
how he had managed to release her. Charoo satisfied her
on these points by recounting his adventures, and he then
produced the jewels presented tohim by the chief of the fishes.
“They lived again happily together for three months,
without anything occurring to disturb their tranquillity.
About this time Charoo felt himself impelled by some
invisible agency to play on the bherry again. He went up
to that part of the palace where it was placed, in company
with his wife, and spent some time in admiring the wealth
and grandeur with which they were surrounded. He fully
appreciated his happy condition, and considered himself the
most fortunate of created beings, for he was in the full enjoy-
ment of every celestial blessing. ‘How kindly has God
allotted to us this wonderful residence!’ said he; ‘men in
the world in vain strive by strict morality and untainted
virtue to attain to anything like this: it is denied to the
best of them. It is only to be attained at the end of their
earthly career!’ He was so pleased with himself and with
everything in and around the place, that in the exuberance
of his delight he approached the bherry and signed to
Chitrangee that he would like to play upon it. She smiled,
but did not oppose him, in consideration of the obligations
she was under to him. Charoo therefore took the sticks
and began to play loudly.

236

“Indra was amazed to hear the unusual violence with
which the bherry was being sounded, and he at once directed
one of his attendants to invite Chitrangee to the court.
The messenger immediately carried the order to her, and
she desired him to wait awhile, that she might prepare for
the visit. She adorned herself, but in a dejected mood, for
she dreaded the result, not knowing how to escape Indra's
wrath in case she should incur it. She desired Charoo to
permit her to go alone, but he said, ‘No, I will not allow
you to go unless I accompany you in my present shape, as
I am resolved to assist you in your music and singing on
this occasion. I shall disguise myself as your Moordoongy.*
I know how to play; in fact I excel in it.’ So earnest
was Charoo in his request, that Chitrangee could not refuse
him, so she repaired to Indra’s subha with Charoo. She
prostrated herself as usual before Indra, and then took up
her position as on the former occasions. Shortly after she
was called upon to commence her singing and dancing.
She prepared to obey, by putting all her instruments in
order; she then began to sing the victories of Indra and of
his divine angels and demi-gods, in such a manner that
their souls were enraptured, recalling as it did their triumphs
over the Dyetas.† They applauded her very much, and
seemed altogether under the influence of her magical
performance. Chitrangee then changed her mode of singing.
She took the vena, an instrument in which she excelled,
and played upon it with such exquisite sweetness, as an
accompaniment to her singing, that she completely astounded
her audience. The melody of the music and the almost
imperceptible modulations of her voice—by turns rising to
the highest pitch and then sinking into the most delightful
softness—were truly astonishing. To this was added the
sparkle of her brilliant eyes, which spoke in language more
expressive than either her voice or the instrument on which
she executed the entrancing love song.

• A player upon the oblong drum.
  † The Titans, or giants of Hindu mythology.

237
“ Indra was so captivated by her performance that he
seemed to devour her with his eyes. ‘Never before,’ he
exclaimed, ‘have I been so completely overcome by the
charms of a woman, nor have I ever heard such heart-thril-
ling sounds or eloquent language. With what feeling does
she pourtray the soft sentiment of love!’ Chitrangee was
assisted in her performance by Charoo, and it was no doubt
the presence of her husband and lover which enabled her to
display such an unusual flow of feeling and eloquence.
Whatever may have been the cause, certain it is that she
acquitted herself in a manner beyond all precedent, and, as
has been already said, elicited the encomiums of all the
celestial beings there assembled. Each and all of them
paid her much attention, and extolled her skill and ability,
as well as her personal beauty and attractions. Indra was
so much delighted that he took a necklace of pearls from
his own neck, and presented it to her before she had fairly
concluded her captivating song. Chitrangee received it
with much respect, and immediately placed it round
Charoo’s neck. Indra, observing this, asked her who he
was, when she modestly replied, ‘Most gracious sovereign!
he is the husband who was destined for me in the world
below, and I married him when I was a princess, according
to your majesty’s first sentence on me. He came in search
of me to Chitrakoot, after I had re-assumed my celestial
frame; and he it was, to my great good fortune, who
rescued me on the three different occasions I incurred your
majesty’s displeasure and fell under your curse. He had
to suffer great toil and fatigue on my account. Indeed, my
lord,’ added she, ‘he was the sole happy instrument of my
protection.’ ‘Oh, celestial beauty! I am exceedingly
delighted to hear this account of your beloved,’ replied
Indra; ‘as he has so completely devoted himself to you,
he is worthy of my warmest regard and esteem. Let him
ask of me whatever he pleases, I will bestow it upon him
with great pleasure and satisfaction.’ Charoo, hearing all
this, came forward and prostrated himself before Indra,

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!

—my beloved husband !' said Chitrangee, ' I pray you not
to dissemble or hide the least circumstance from me. What
is it that grieves you so much?—tell me, I beseech you !
I cannot divine your thoughts, but should you have a wife,
I shall be glad to receive her here, and let her reside with
us and partake of our glorious state ! Be assured of this—
I will treat her as if she were my own sister !' She pressed
him very much to let her know the cause of his apparent
concern, and at length he revealed to her all the particulars
regarding his wife, who, he said, received no support from
his family, but relied entirely on him, and whom he had so
cruelly neglected. This, he said, was the cause of his feel-
ing so great a concern. ' When I was cast off by my
brothers, who would not pay my debt,' continued Charoo,
' my wife preserved my character by giving me her jewels,
which enabled me to discharge it. On parting from her I
pledged my word never to forget her. Alas! how have I
requited her self-denying love for me! Not one single
thought have I bestowed on her since I left home, so
completely have I been occupied in devising means for your
restoration from the several perilous positions into which
you have successively, and at very short intervals, fallen.'
Chitrangee was affected at the relation, and replied, ' I hope,
my dear husband, that you will not hesitate, after what I
have said, to bring your wife here without further delay.
Let me assure you once more that I will treat her as my
own sister. I will even consent to live here subject to her !'
Charoo was much touched with the very affectionate and
disinterested manner in which Chitrangee spoke on the
subject, and he promised that he would go and fetch his
wife on the morrow.
" Next morning, Chitrangee again entreated Charoo to
set off for his wife, and presented him with a pair of curious
padooka* which she possessed. Charoo put them on his
feet, took the three jewels which had been presented to him

• Clogs.

240

by the chief of the fishes, and, after tenderly embracing
Chitrangee, departed. Some time elapsed ere he could
recollect the exact spot where his former wife resided ; but
at length, having uttered some mysterious words, he was
instantly transported thither. When he entered the town,
the people of his acquaintance instantly recognised him,
and before he reached his dwelling some of them had
conveyed the intelligence to his brothers, who hastened
thither to receive him. As soon as he appeared they
advanced, and met him with kind embraces, enquiring the
cause of his long absence. Charoo immediately detailed
the whole of his adventures, and the magnificence in which
he lived at Chitrakoot, concluding by saying that if they
wished it he would convey them all to that place. But
Charoo's tale only elicited a smile of incredulity ; for they
thought he was affected in his mind, and therefore did not
believe a word of what he said. ' You have not yet, we
see,' said they, ' got rid of your old habits and exaggerating
propensities. We feel no inclination, we can assure you,
to taste of the enjoyments you speak of. We are quite
content to remain here in the same station as our fore-
fathers, where we can enjoy the society of sages and men of
learning.' On this, Charoo again addressed them, saying,
' You despise me, or affect to do so, because in your arro-
gant envy you will not concede to me what is denied to you.
I am nevertheless desirous of being just to you. What I
say is the truth, and though you may now seem indifferent
to my proposal, a time will come when you will wish that
you had not slighted my advice,—when age and infirmities
overtake you, and when your existence in this world draws
to a close. I lost my fortune in gaming, it is true, and
you abused and reviled me, and even turned me out of
doors, instead of trying to remedy the evil ; but I will deal
more handsomely by you, and will let my acts prove to
you that I can never harbour a covetous or niggardly spirit,
—still less a revengeful feeling for the injury I received at
your hands.' Saying this, he went into a private chamber,

241
and, after revering the jewel, produced immense treasure
in gold, jewels, and precious stones of various descrip-
tions. These he brought out and presented to his
brothers, saying, ‘I pray you, take these riches, and do not
any longer give way to avarice.’ He then left them in
their amazement, and entered his wife’s apartment. When
she saw who it was that was approaching, she hastened up
to him, falling at his feet, and afterwards embraced him
with tears of joy. It would be impossible to pourtray the
excess of their pleasure at this meeting; suffice it to say that
a long period was spent in the mutual expression of all that
two fond hearts could give utterance to; after which Charoo
recounted the whole of his adventures to his wife, and
acquainted her with the felicity he had been enjoying at
Chitrakoot. He asked her if she would accompany him,
or whether she felt disposed to ridicule him by disbelieving
his tale, as his brothers had done. She replied, ‘I pray
you, do with me as may seem best to you. By your arrival
this day I have been especially favored by the kind Provi-
dence who watches over us all. It has been my constant
practice, since you left me, to supplicate heaven to bestow
its kind aid in restoring you to me, and my prayer has at
last been heard! Though I have grieved much for your ab-
sence, still I am amply repaid for all I have endured on
your account, by once more seeing you in health and
prosperity.’ Many such expressions of affection did she
lavish on Charoo; and at length, the sun having sunk
beneath the horizon, they partook of their evening meal
together, after which they retired for the night.
“Next morning Charoo paid a visit to his brothers, and
having told them they might rely upon what he had said
the previous day, he again invited them to share with him
the enjoyments of a celestial existence at Chitrakoot. They
told him in reply that they felt no inclination or desire for
such grandeur, and that they would rather remain where
they were than run the risk of losing what they already
possessed. After this interview with his brothers, Charoo
FF

242
returned to his wife, and taking her on his shoulder, with
the jewel in his hand and the padooka on his feet, he bade
adieu to all. They mounted into the air with such incre-
dible swiftness that Charoo's brothers and the other persons
who were there assembled were completely amazed, and in
a short time they lost sight of them altogether. Perceiving
the apparent miracle by which Charoo had made his ascent,
his brothers deeply regretted having refused to accompany
him, especially when to his wonderful ascent was added the
proof of his wealth, of which he had left abundance behind
him. ‘We have lost our brother for ever from this day!’
they exclaimed; ‘we are not yet rid of the sin of avarice,
which is our besetting evil; how then can we be deemed
worthy of the immortal happiness which our brother is now
in the enjoyment of? We thought in our blindness that
all he said was false,—we have now the truth of it proved
to us, by the miraculous ascent he has made, and by the
riches he has left behind. How unfortunate are we to have
lost eternal bliss through our own short-sighted obstinacy!’
They both regretted deeply having refused the generous
offer of their brother; and their neighbours having heard
of the occurrence, greatly censured them for their folly
and presumptuous ignorance.
“In a short time Charoo reached the Chitrakoot moun-
tain, and presented himself before his beloved Chitrangee.
She received him with her usual expressions of tender
affection, and was equally lavish of her tokens of love to
her sister, as she insisted on terming Charoo’s first wife;
in fact they became in a few hours the best of friends.
Chitrangee took her into a dressing-room, and having
placed her before a glass for the first time in her life, adorned
her head, neck, arms, and breast with the finest pearls
and diamonds she possessed; she then arrayed her in a
suit of the richest material, embroidered with gold. The
ornaments and fine clothes caused her to look so well, and
set off her shape and figure to such advantage, that when
Charoo saw her he was highly delighted, and felt grateful

to Chitrangee for her attention. All three now seated
themselves together, and Chitrangee asked Charoo to relate
the circumstances attending his visit to his family and
friends. He told her how he had invited his brothers to
accompany him, and of their obstinate refusal to comply
with his wishes ; how they still bore towards him, under
the guise of friendship, the most inveterate hatred ; and
every other particular worth relating.
“ The two sisters lived together in mutual harmony,
friendship, and affection : their days rolled on in peaceful
calmness, like the waters of a flowing stream. They were
contented and happy, and shared equally the affection of
their husband Charoo.”
The Rajhouse, having brought his tale to a conclusion,
said to the brahmin, “ I have had the honor of recounting
to you and to her highness the loves of the celestial Chitrangee
and the amiable Charoo. I will now take my leave.”
Saying this, he disappeared amidst the other birds repre-
sented on the wall of the princess’ apartment.
The disguised brahmin now entreated the Princess
Pudmavuntty to fulfil her promise of marrying Prince
Duntsain, having on his own part accomplished the task she
had imposed upon him. The princess joyfully informed
the brahmin that she could have no objection at all now to
ally herself with the prince, and she desired that he might
be brought in directly. Prince Duntsain was accordingly
introduced, and the celebration of the nuptials was delayed
no longer than was necessary to render it grand and complete.
The brahmin soon after this took leave of Prince Dunt-
sain and the Princess Pudmavuntty, who acknowledged in
suitable terms the deep obligations they were under to him,
and for which they professed their inability to express their
gratitude. They extolled his wisdom and power, in proof
of which they adduced the miracle that had taken place in
the room of the princess, where inanimate birds had succes-
sively appeared alive, and had recounted different tales, a

244
wonder which in itself was sufficient to secure for him
everlasting renown.
Prince Duntsain accompanied the brahmin to the mouth
of the ravine in which the Princess Pudmavuntty's palace
was situated, and at parting prostrated himself at his feet,
renewing his thanks, and prayers for the success of the
friend who had done so much for him, and had snatched
him, as it were, from the very jaws of death. The brah-
min in return bestowed his blessing on the prince, and
wished him a long, happy, and prosperous life, and the
love and fidelity of his subjects when he ascended the throne.
Here they parted, the brahmin to resume his journey with
his friend Somedut, who was at present in the form of a
parrot, and perched on his shoulder, and the prince to return
to the splendid mansion of the beauteous Pudmavuntty.

245
CHAPTER XVI.
Vickramadetea re-assumes the form of a parrot, and the brahmin that
of a human being—The brahmin sells the parrot to the king of Wish-
noopoory, and returns to Oojein—The parrot decides an important
cause between a Zotinge or goblin and a brahmin's son.
KING VICKRAMADETEA and the brahmin Somedut now
re-assumed their former conditions, the latter taking his own
form and the king that of a parrot. Somedut was soon in-
formed of all that had occurred to the king in the palace of the
Princess Pudmavuntty, and of the successful termination
of Prince Duntsain's love affair. Somedut listened to the
particulars with the greatest wonder and admiration, espe-
cially as regarded the tales which Veytal had related in the
character of four different birds, which he had assumed for
the occasion,—namely, that of the parrot, the Shaloonky,
the peacock, and the Rajhouse,—and the wonderful and
incredible prodigies of which they treated. Vickramadetea
then requested the brahmin to do one thing more for him.
He said there was not far off a city called Wishnoopoory,
governed by a king named Gopichund. "He is, I have
heard," continued he, "endowed with many excellent
virtues; I wish you, therefore, to take me there, and to
sell me to him. Be satisfied with whatever price he may
offer you, and you will then be at liberty to spend the
remainder of your days in ease until I return to my king-
dom. Acquaint also my minister with the whole of my
adventures, so far as you know them, but be careful to keep
the matter a profound secret from every one else, until I
can recover my own body, which the traitor Koobjuck at
present possesses." The brahmin was extremely sorry to
hear Vickramadetea's wish to be sold, and said it went very
much against his inclination and his love for his sovereign
to do so. He begged Vickramadetea with great earnestness

246
not to impose upon him so painful a task, and added, “I
have travelled far and long to find you, and having so far
attained my wish do not deprive me of your presence, and
thus place me in uncertainty as to your fate, and the vicis-
situdes attendant thereon. You cannot imagine the grief
I shall experience on your account, or you would not be so
cruel. Remain with me, and I may perhaps be of service
to you, in enabling you to repossess yourself of your own
body. I have not the least doubt that my family will be
provided for during my absence.” The king replied, “You
have, my dear Somedut, by what you have already done,
fully established in my mind a firm belief of your integrity
and honesty of purpose, and of the great love you bear for
me; nothing more is wanted. It is, however, indispensably
necessary that you should do what I now desire, otherwise
I shall never regain my own body and my kingdom. King
Gopichund is a very eminent and learned monarch; if you
will sell me to him I shall cause him to offer up a certain
sacrifice, by which I hope to attain my end. Moreover, I
wish you and my minister to appear at Gopichund’s court
this day three months, in the guise of mendicants, and at
the last oblation of the sacrifice you must demand me of
him. He cannot decline giving me up to you or to any
other person, as the sacrifice would in that case become
useless. I trust, therefore, you will see the necessity of
doing as I desire you; and be sure that you and my minis-
ter do not fail to be present at the time I have now
appointed.” The brahmin, finding he had no alternative,
at length consented, but with the greatest reluctance, and
proceeded accordingly towards the city where king Gopichund
lived. He carried the parrot on his hand, and in this way
went from street to street throughout the town, and it so
happened that he met Gopichund himself, with his retinue,
returning from an airing. Gopichund, seeing the bird
perched on Somedut’s hand, was struck with the beauty of
its plumage, and asked him if it was for sale, and what he
would take for it. The brahmin replied that the parrot was

247
valued at no less a sum than one hundred and twenty-five
thousand rupees. The king said it was too much by far to
ask for so small a bird, and that he could not comprehend
the meaning of pricing it so enormously high, unless indeed
it was possessed of some great and rare qualities. The
parrot hereupon said to the king, “Do not doubt my wis-
dom ;—buy me of the brahmin, and pay him what he asks.
Then demand of me anything you would wish to know, and
I will answer you.” The parrot’s language pleased Gopi-
chund so much that he instantly ordered the money to
be paid down, and took immediate possession of the
intelligent bird.
The brahmin, as soon as he had received his money,
took leave of the parrot in the most affectionate manner,
and departed for Oojein, to communicate his news to the
minister. Having reached the city he went straight to his
residence, and entered at once into a recital of Vickrama-
detea’s adventures, concluding by informing him of his
present form and location. The minister was exceedingly glad
to hear that the search after his master had proved success-
ful, and sincerely grieved to think of all he had suffered and
was likely to suffer. He thanked Somedut for his exertions,
and requested him not to divulge the circumstance of the
king’s being found to any one, nor to allow a single person
to suspect that he possessed so much money, lest some
misfortune should befal him. He begged him above all
things to be punctual in joining him at a time and place
which they appointed. Somedut then took his leave, and
went to his own home, where his family received him
with great joy.
King Gopichund kept the parrot in a magnificent cage,
richly studded with diamonds and other precious stones,
and took great pleasure in listening to the amusing tales
which from time to time it recounted for the monarch’s
amusement.
Gopichund’s subjects were happy, contented, and religi-
ously inclined ; they were peaceful among themselves, and

were in the constant practice of resorting to their temples
and offering up their prayers to God; they were never
known to lie, at least the great body of them, even for their
own gain or aggrandisement.
There was in this city a brahmin named Crustna Josey,
who had an only son named Moodgul, a well-behaved and
well-educated youth. One day this young man requested
his father's permission to go on a pilgrimage to Kashee,*
as he was very anxious to pay his vows at that holy place,
and the caravan was also just about to set out. His father,
however, objected to his going, as his grandson's moonje†
was shortly to take place, and he wished him to be present
on the occasion; so he told him not to think of going with
the caravan then preparing to start, but to postpone it to
some future time. The son, having previously made up his
mind to proceed with the caravan, could ill brook this, as he
thought, unnecessary opposition, so he went and joined the
company who were to proceed to Kashee by that opportu-
nity. There was a certain Borre‡ tree behind this brah-
min's house, in which dwelt a Zotinge,|| who had the power
of taking upon himself the shape or form of any other
individual, just as it suited his interest or whim. Knowing,
therefore, that Moodgul had joined the caravan against his
father's expressed wish, the Zotinge determined to person-
ate him during his absence. He accordingly assumed the
form of Moodgul, and repaired to the brahmin's house, who
was overjoyed at seeing his son, and asked him why he had
returned. The Zotinge replied that he had found no good
omen for starting; that he had absented himself simply to
see how his father would bear it, and having heard that he
was angry, he had returned. The Zotinge lived with the

• A celebrated city and place of pilgrimage in Benares.
  † The ceremony of investing the young brahmin with the sacri-
  ficial thread.
  ‡ The Jujuba tree, or Zyzyphus Jujuba.
  || The spirit of a deceased person, wandering as a goblin.

249

brahmin and his family for a long time, without being in
the least suspected, as he conducted himself exactly as
Moodgul used to do, at the same time sharing Moodgul's
wife's bed.
The time appointed for the ceremony of investing the young
brahmin with the sacred thread was now fast approach-
ing, so the necessary preparations were made, a beautiful
temporary arbour was erected, and the false Moodgul
accompanied Crustna Josey into the country to invite their
friends and relatives to attend the ceremony. The real
Moodgul, having within three months' time performed his
pilgrimage, returned with the caravan to the city, and
repaired at once to his father's house. He was delighted
to see the preparations going on, and that he was still in
time to take part in the ceremony and join in the festivities.
He proceeded directly to his mother's apartment, and, pros-
trating himself before her, begged her forgiveness and
blessing. Seeing that her son had not been long away
from her, in which case alone such a practice was followed,
she could not understand it: he had only gone a short
distance with his father, as she thought, to invite their
friends; she therefore asked him to explain what he meant
by asking her forgiveness and blessing in this unusual
manner. He told her where he had been, but this only
perplexed her the more. She said that she had but one son,
and he had been with them all along, and had only gone
that morning with his father into the country. Moodgul
did not know what to make of this, but thought that
perhaps his wife would know him better. She happened to
come in at this very time, and he said to her, "Well, my
dear wife, you at least will know me: am I not your hus-
band?" She had, as she thought, only that morning
parted from her husband, and it was not surprising, there-
fore, that she should have replied angrily, taking him for an
impostor, "What villain art thou?—whence dost thou
come? Art thou not ashamed of thy baseness in trying
thus to impose on me by calling me thy wife,—I who never
GG

250

before saw thee? Thou art doubtless some vile deceiver from
Benares. Leave this house instantly, or thou wilt meet
with the treatment thou seemest so richly to deserve!" At
this time Moodgul's young son, who was about to be invested
with the sacred thread, entered the room. "My son," said
the unhappy father, "do you too shun me? Am I not your
father?" The child, as much or even more deceived, from
his extreme youth, than his elders, replied, "What a base
chattering knave thou art! Dost thou dare to address thy-
self thus to those who know thee not? Who art thou?
Get thee hence instantly, or I will cause thee to be punished
severely for thy impudence!" Poor Moodgul tried all he
could to convince them of his identity, by mentioning the
names of each and all of their relatives, friends, and acquain-
tances, and by recalling many little family incidents, but
all to no purpose. His mother, wife, and son, were certainly
surprised at the accuracy of his statements, but this was
not sufficient to dispel the error into which they had
fallen, and which had taken so deep a hold of their minds.
By this time Moodgul's father had returned, and with
him the counterfeit son. The real Moodgul, on seeing his
father, went forward, and with a low reverence besought
his blessing. The father was very much astonished at his
salutation, and said, "Thou addressest me by the title of
father!—I think thou art labouring under some grievous
mistake. Thou art not my son! I have but one son, and
here he is," pointing to the Zotinge. "I cannot but think
that thy mind is unsettled; if not, thou art endeavoring
to palm off some joke upon my family, but I would advise
thee to desist from such practices and to go thy way."
Moodgul, at the close of his father's speech, felt a sharp
pang shoot through his heart, and he bitterly repented
having left his paternal dwelling in opposition to his father's
express desire. It was, however, useless now to regret the
past, but he could not by any means think of an expedient
to extricate himself from his present dilemma. At last he
resolved upon going to King Gopichund, and representing