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

38
ness prompted him to concede at once to the lovely creature
before him all she sued for; whilst a dread of the world, of
his own household, of his wife in particular, bade him put
an end to the meeting, and turn the frantic woman from his
presence and the privacy of his room: Thus placed, need
we wonder that a man of such weak parts as Dushwant was,
should feel his scruples gradually fade away one after the
other, until he was left wholly under the influence of a pretty
and attractive woman, bathed in tears, and supplicating
for his love in pathetic and forcible expressions? To cut
the matter short, he was completely overwhelmed by her
blandishments, and he fell into her embraces. Having
spent the remainder of the night together, as the rays of the
morn pierced through the flimsy curtains, Dushwant roused
the partner of his guilt from the deep sleep in which she
was plunged, and entreated her to be gone, lest the inmates
of the house should suspect the occurrence of the preceding
night, and thus render him not only the butt of all his
friends, but, that which he most dreaded, the object of the
just reproaches of an enraged wife. The actress slowly
opened her eyes, and finding the merchant in just such a
strait as she wished him to be in, asked for some token of
their sojourn together; but she said that she did not wish
for it then and there,—she only wanted him to pledge his
word of honor that he would satisfy her on that head when
she made the requisition; she said she was not sufficiently
collected then to mention what it was to be, but would
think over it, and name it on a future occasion. The
merchant, anxious to rid himself of her presence, took the
desired oath, and she went away chuckling inwardly at the
success she had met with.
She now repaired to her house in all haste, and having
bathed and changed her apparel, returned not long after to
Dushwant's house, to claim the fulfilment of the promise
he had made to her that morning. She said, “Sir, may I
request you will be pleased to ratify the promise you so
generously made to me last night? I have called expressly

39
for the purpose." The daring effrontery of the woman
utterly confounded and disgusted the merchant. He kept
his temper nevertheless, as he knew he was now in the
power of this unprincipled creature, so he asked her to
name what she wanted' and to go her way, and never more
to cross his threshold. With a smile of derision, and in
tones of cutting sarcasm, she replied that her greatest
ambition was to become the possessor of the parrot, owned
by the merchant, who had but a short time ago exposed
her to the ridicule of the whole court, and a very large
audience besides. This request afflicted the merchant
extremely, as the nature of his oath left him no way of
escape from the obligation he had so unwisely entered into.
Conscious of his error, he bitterly lamented the circum-
stances which had led him into it. 'Alas!' thought he,
'how injudiciously have I not behaved!—not only shall
I now be deprived of my best and wisest counsellor, but
oh! horror!—must I also endanger his life?' for he well
knew the object of the woman in desiring so anxiously to
become possessed of the bird. 'Ah me! what incalculable
injury have I brought on myself!—can no means be devised
whereby to preserve my beloved bird?' He tried to remon-
strate with the actress, but she was inexorable. In this
wretched state of mind he approached the tiny parrot,
ensconced in his pretty cage in a corner of the house, and
revealed to him the sad dilemma in which he was placed,
and which he said was all the more to be deplored as
it originated in his own inexcusable imprudence. "I am
certainly undone, as well as Dushruth and Rookmangud,
who ensnared themselves by their promise," said he, "and
have brought this dire misfortune on you." He spoke with
such vehemence, and was so truly affected, that he fell
down beside the parrot's cage in an agony of grief. When
he came to himself, the parrot, pitying his distress, told
him to deliver him up to the woman without hesitation, and
rather let him (the parrot) run the risk of losing his life
than that the merchant should violate his oath. "An

40

oath," said the parrot, "is sacred, and must therefore be
preserved inviolate. Do not break your promise on any
account. You no doubt recollect the account given of the
promises made by Shriyal and Chakravati—how faithfully
they observed them, even to the very death. Listen to
me," continued the parrot to Dushwant, "I will give you
a brief account of king Myrodhwaj, who had commenced
a certain sacrifice, when Kristna and Arjoon, assuming the
guise of brahmins—the former that of a Gooru, and the
latter as his disciple,—appeared before him. Myrodhwaj,
seeing them, received them with great respect, and besought
them with much entreaty to make known to him their wants.
Kristna said, 'I, with my son and pupil, were passing
through the wood, when a tiger pounced upon my son and
seized him. Seeing him in this awful position; I besought
the tiger with streaming eyes not to injure my son; I said
that he was an only child, the prop of my old age. The
fierce animal replied, that he had been without a morsel of
food for eight days successively, and that he would release
my son only on one condition,—that I should, in lieu of
my son, supply him with the flesh of another living person.
He awaits my return, with my son in his possession as a
hostage for the due fulfilment of the promise I was com-
pelled under the circumstances to give him. On my way I
heard that you were about to perform a sacrifice, and this
induced me to wait on you, and to seek your aid in releasing
my son from the tiger, and restore me to my wonted ease.'
The king hereupon ordered one of his attendants to get
some flesh to appease the hunger of the ferocious denizen
of the forest. The brahmin, hearing this mandate, cried
out to the king, that the tiger would accept of nothing else
than the flesh of a living being. There was a pause, and
the minister, who was present, suggested to the monarch
that one out of the many malefactors that were impri-
soned might be offered as food for the tiger. The brahmin
again raised his voice, and said that the tiger had some
knowledge of the sacrifice the king was about to perform,

41
and expressed a desire to partake of the king's flesh, and
said that his majesty would not hesitate to offer himself up
to save a fellow-being, and he a brahmin's son. 'I regret
very much,' said the wily brahmin, 'that it should be so,
but consider, your majesty, this is an only son of mine,
the sole object of my affection, and the support of my
declining years. My life must inevitably end with his, if
your majesty will not deign to stretch forth a helping hand
in this my greatest hour of need.' The king paused awhile,
as if in deep thought, and considering that if he declined
compliance with the brahmin's request he would lose an
opportunity of evincing his virtue of self-sacrifice, for which
he was far and deservedly famed, consented to immolate
himself for the brahmin's son. He ordered a saw to be
brought, and with his own hand he courageously set about
sawing himself asunder. When he had cleaved his head
in two, and had reached to his gullet, Kristna assumed his
usual form, and appeared before him in all the bright-
ness and dazzling splendour of an ethereal being, and, with
an approving smile, and with fondness depicted in every
lineament of his face, embraced the king. The severed
head became instantly healed, and, with many blessings
upon the head of this valorous and high-minded monarch,
Kristna disappeared. In like manner," continued the parrot,
"should you preserve your promise intact, and deliver me
up." The merchant could not possibly reconcile himself to
the idea of parting with his favorite companion, but under
the circumstances he had no alternative. So, after much
time spent in bewailing his misfortune, and with tears and
sighs, he made a desperate effort, and consigned the bird
to his future mistress—murderess would become her better.
No sooner did she receive the bird than she exultingly held
the cage up to her face, and took a long and revengeful look
at the author of her greatest humiliation, as she thought ;
and she smiled with great satisfaction as she pondered on
the revenge she had it now in her power to take upon this
helpless creature. The parrot knew well that all this boded
G

42
no good to him, and he employed his mind in endeavouring
to invent some scheme by which to thwart the woman's
unrelenting purpose. When she passed out of the presence
of the merchant, she spoke to the parrot, and said, “You
cannot now escape from my hands. Do you recollect how
shamefully you exposed me some time ago before the king
and his council? We shall soon see if you will now assume
the air and tone with which you addressed me on that
occasion.” Having reached her dwelling, she called for
her cook, and ordered her to kill the bird and have him
well dressed for her meal, against her return from her
accustomed visit to the king's palace. Saying this, and
transferring the poor parrot to the tender care of the matron,
she went away on her visit. The cruel cook, who took
after her mistress, plucked off the bird's feathers by way of
prelude to what was to follow, and left him in that state on
the ground while she went into the kitchen to procure a knife
with which to cut off his head. The cook did not readily
find the knife, and while engaged in searching for it the (to
all appearance) unfledged bird looked about him for some
means of escape, and happening fortunately just then to
think of the spirit Veytal, he offered up a prayer to him,
and conjured him up before him from the dark regions he
inhabited. In the twinkling of an eye he attended the
summons, and, at the request of the parrot, enabled him to
fly with the rapidity of lightning, and to disappear in a
drain far from the dwelling of the inhuman actress and her
still more merciless wretch of a cook. Shortly after this
occurrence the latter returned from the kitchen, brandishing
a large knife and seeking her victim, but he was gone, to
her great alarm and discomfiture. And what was worse,
she had no time to go to the bazar to purchase another bird
in lieu of the one she had lost by her carelessness, as she
expected every moment her mistress would return. She,
however, contrived to get one from a neighbour, though of a
different species, prepared the dish, and had it ready for her
mistress, who returned shortly after. The meal was imme-

43
diately ordered to be placed on the board, and the actress sat
down to it with much glee. The first dish that was served
up was the one containing the supposed parrot, which she
ate with much gusto and appetite, chewing every bone with
great vehemence, under the impression that they were those
of her bitterest enemy,—the one who had brought so much
ridicule upon her; and every time this conviction flashed
across her mind she renewed her attack on the savoury
dish, flavoured more pungently by her own spirit of hatred
and revenge, little thinking that the object of her attack
was far beyond her reach, and was perhaps even then
exulting at the trick he had played upon her, and of which
as yet the cook was alone cognisant. We will leave the
actress, however, to her meal, and return to the parrot.
He did not stop in his flight, which he had been enabled
to accomplish by the aid of Veytal, until he had reached a
haven of security. He thanked God for his mercy, and
for recalling to his mind the existence of Veytal at that
critical moment, whereby alone he had been enabled to
effect his escape from the perilous situation in which he had
so recently been placed. His denuded feathers had been
restored, and he reflected with gratification on the distance
he had placed between himself and the cruel wretch who
would have deprived him of his life. The place where he
had taken refuge was a temple, dedicated to the goddess
Kallika, a renowned and sacred place, the scenery around
which was most enchantingly beautiful. It was situated
out of the town, and a large smooth lake was hard by,
which reflected in a thousand fanciful shapes the clustering
trees of every size and description that grew on its banks,
loaded with the fruits of autumn.

44
CHAPTER IV.
The dancing-girl comes to the temple to perform her devotions—The
parrot (in the character of the goddess) addresses her, promising to
gratify her with anything she may desire—He then ridicules and
disgraces her, under the pretext of imposing ceremonies necessary
for the realisation of her wishes—Koobjuck the sentinel, who per-
sonated King Vickram, becomes tyrannical, and oppresses his subjects
—A brahmin threatens him with the vengeance of heaven, and sets
out in search of King Vickram—He arrives at a temple dedicated
to Shiva, where he meets a young prince named Duntsain, who
relates his sorrows—The brahmin proceeds towards the city of
Sendoornuggry, and halts at the temple of the goddess Kallika—The
parrot overhears the brahmin's lamentations and prayers, and
converses with him—He owns himself to be Vickram, and sets out for
Oujein, with the brahmin—On the way they meet Prince Duntsain
at the temple of Shiva, and engage in an attempt to gain the Princess
Pudmavutty as his wife—The princess imposes a difficult task upon
King Vickram, who has assumed the form of a brahmin, and the
brahmin that of a parrot—He calls upon Veytal, who appears, and
promises to assist him.
IN the verdant grove briefly sketched in the conclusion
of the last chapter, roamed the parrot after regaining his
liberty in so miraculous a manner. The first night was
spent on the boughs of one of the trees. On the morrow, he
directed his attention to the exploration of the beauties and
natural attractions the locality presented. The trees were
loaded with delicious fruit, tempting to the eye and inviting
to the palate. Here, then, might have been seen the little
parrot, luxuriating among the vegetation, and enjoying all
that nature in her mildest and most refreshing form presented
to the view, flying from tree to tree, tasting of one fruit and
then of another, and thus, by turns, of all the variety that
could there be found. In this peaceful occupation he was
startled by the sudden appearance of his dire enemy the
actress, and her slave, the tool of her follies and crimes.
They both emerged from under the clump of trees abutting

45

on the main road, and were proceeding apparently into the
temple for the purpose of paying their vows and adoration
to the goddess there. He watched them entering, and a
sudden thought of revenging the injury offered to his person,
and his intended murder, crossed his mind; so he preceded
them by a speedy flight, and sat behind the idol representing
the goddess, watching them as they came in, though he
himself could not be seen. It was customary for the actress
to pay her daily devotions at the shrine of Kallika. After
performing her ablutions, she approached the idol and bowed
before it; after remaining in that posture for some time, she
stood up in a reverential attitude, clasped her hands toge-
ther as if in supplication, and, with her eyes fixed on the
image, spoke as follows:—"Oh, goddess! may this my
invocation have its due effect. I adore thee! may this
my prayer be heard. Have mercy upon me! Pardon my
manifold sins, and preserve me from all future evils!"
She had scarcely ended when a voice issued forth, appa-
rently from the idol, saying, "Kamsaina, I am much
pleased with your devotion, and with the subject of your
prayer: ask of me what you may think will be of use to
you." — "I have all that I can wish for, through your kind
aid and beneficence; but I sincerely hope that the god
Indra* will send for me from the heavens, for my singing
and dancing." "You will most assuredly derive much
benefit in the court of Indra; but in the first place," replied
the pretended goddess,—for our readers will no doubt have
perceived that it was the parrot who was speaking, from the
position he had taken up but a short time before,—"in
the first place, there are one or two things to be most
strictly observed. Tomorrow morning, before the sun rises,
you must give in my name all your wealth, whatever you
may be possessed of, in charity, after which come immedi-
ately and meet me in this place; bring with you a barber,
purify yourself, shave your head, put ashes on your body,
and expose your naked person to my view: do not appear

• The chief of the angels, and god of the sky.

in company with any one, and let all this be accomplished .
by the middle of the day. The vemon* will then descend
from heaven, with instruments sounding to welcome your
arrival at the gates of Paradise, and the assembly of Indra
will bear you company. Return quickly home, and
perform all I have directed you to do." Upon hearing
these consoling words, and the promise of being taken up to
heaven, she retraced her steps with hope and great joy, after
having prostrated herself a second time before the idol, and
poured out a flood of enraptured thoughts, and expressions
of her willingness to act as she had been bidden. On her
arrival home she set about distributing her riches, which
consisted of money, jewels, horses, cattle, and all the other
paraphernalia of a prosperous household. She gave all
these to the beggars and brahmins who had crowded round
her residence when her resolution to give all she possessed
in charity had become known, and she was quite elated with
the idea that in return for all this sacrifice she was to be
translated to heaven. Those who profited by the benevo-
lence of the woman were one and all loud in their praise of
her person and her proficiency in singing, which had enabled
her to amass together so large a fortune as was then
displayed to their wondering eyes. She was quite gratified
at what she heard, and frequently said, by way of replying
to these encomiums, "If I merely bestow a small portion
of my wealth or goods in alms, I shall receive double for it
from Indra, when I shall have the opportunity, which I am
in a fair way of securing, of delighting him with my songs,"
little dreaming, poor deluded being, that the parrot had
even then commenced his revenge for what she had done
and had meditated doing. After having parted with all she
possessed, and the day also having drawn to a close, she
retired for the night, and prepared by sound and refreshing
sleep for the fatigues of the morrow. In the morning she
rose betimes, and, securing the attendance of a barber, as
she had been directed the previous day, set out to the temple,

• A celestial self-moving car.

47
her slave accompanying them. At the temple she directed
the barber to shave off her hair. He could not restrain
his laughter on hearing this strange bidding, and hesitated
to obey ; but being pressed by her, and fearing her rage,
he set about quietly removing this ornament of womanly
beauty. At the same time the poor barber feared that this
might be a whim of the moment on the part of the dame,
and that when it passed away he might be called upon to
account for the extraordinary deed ; so he proceeded to
acquit himself of the task with considerable hesitation. Be-
fore the barber placed his hand upon her clustering tresses,
she repeatedly desired him to make no one acquainted with
what he was then about to do : it was an affair of as much
secrecy, she said, as it was of great moment and urgency.
After having her head completely shaved, she undressed
herself, and delivered her clothes to the slave, directing her
to return with them in the evening. She then performed
her ablutions, bathed in the lake, threw ashes on her body,
and thus, in a complete state of nudity, prostrated herself
before the idol, and addressed herself to deep and solemn
meditation. She thought that she was about to receive the
reward of all the sacrifices and indignities to her person she
had borne for the last few days. She remained in that
attitude for some time, inwardly addressing herself to the
goddess, beseeching that all her failings and crimes might
be forgiven, and that she might, according to the promise
vouchsafed to her the previous evening, be received into the
heavens.. As the sun began to reach its meridian, the heat
grew oppressive in the temple ; and the deluded being, pros-
trated in all humility before the shrine of Kallika, found
it would be intolerable so to remain much longer. She
changed her posture, and happening at the same time to
look up to the sky through one of the openings for light in
the temple, she beheld the parrot perched on a tree oppo-
site, and exulting as it were over her misfortune: She
immediately recognised the bird, and seemed quite abashed
as well as surprised at seeing him alive, after she had, as

48
she thought, made a meal of him. She remained with her
gaze rivetted on the parrot, who addressed her from his lofty
seat—lofty in more senses than one. “ Wretch !” said he,
“ you made great attempts to deprive me of my poor life for
the imaginary wrong I had done you, but in what have
they resulted?—in heaping infamy and ridicule on yourself.
You were haughty and proud, and in your pride despised
me. You persuaded yourself that Indra would send for
you to hear you sing, as you are thought by men to be a
great proficient in that art; but such easy and happy con-
ditions are not to be attained by you, or such as you.
Now, deprived of your wealth, your revenge ungratified,
with shame and humiliation, you must retire. Go, then,
and never more appear in public; for the person who behaves
arrogantly deserves an equal infamy.” It was now evening,
and the confidential slave of the disappointed actress was
anxiously awaiting the return of her mistress, who, with
mingled emotions of rage and shame, hastily clothed herself,
wrapping her now bald head in a piece of black cloth, and
went home, swearing vengeance against the little bird, and
deploring the loss of her immense wealth and property,
which she had so inconsiderately, as she now thought, divided
amongst the beggars of the city. In such a state of
mind, and having fasted all the day, she was naturally
enough quite fatigued and hungry when she reached her
dwelling; she immediately repaired to her now deserted
and desolate room, to take her supper, after which, as she
could not bring herself to attend to anything further,
she retired early to bed, filled with deep and bitter anguish at
the sudden and unexpected change in her fortune. Before
retiring she left a message with her slave that if the usual
invitation should arrive for her to attend at the king’s palace,
to return for answer that she was indisposed, and could not
therefore present herself before his majesty. As may well
be imagined, the actress spent a restless night, what with
the contest within her between inveterate hatred of the
parrot, grief for the severe loss that his trick had entailed

49
upon her, and plans for her future conduct. We will leave
her for the present, and return to Koobjuck, the sentinel,
whom we left reigning in the place of his king and the
rightful owner of the throne.
This man exercised all the authority with which his new
position had invested him, with the iron hand of a despot.
His subjects were becoming discontented and insubordinate,
under the accumulation of the evils that had been heaped
upon them by the new monarch. They began even to
doubt the identity of the person now ruling with their old
and revered monarch Vickramadetea; and, as we said before,
the belief in transmigration being common in the city,
they were in a manner convinced that the new monarch be-
fore them was but an usurper, who by some unknown and
unaccountable means had contrived to assume the body of
Vickram. Nevertheless, they submitted to his oppressive
measures. The original gifts and grants in lands and
villages bestowed by Vickram were revoked and taken back,
as crown property, and from those who were allowed to retain
them, which in some few cases happened, he demanded a
moiety of the whole produce; from those who were in the
receipt of annual nemnooks* and pensions, he deducted a
third; many of the officers' salaries were reduced to the
smallest possible pittance; and his subjects were otherwise
subjected to great and glaring injustice, and were
consequently one and all much distressed.
It happened that about this time a brahmin named
Somedut arrived at Koobjuck's court, to receive his annual
gifts. He was a sage, a learned man, and an ornament to
his calling and society. Koobjuck enquired of his ministers
who this brahmin was. They replied, "Can your majesty be
ignorant of one who has for a long time enjoyed your
majesty's warmest friendship? He has been in the habit
of coming here regularly every year to receive his customary
allowances. His reputation for wisdom and learning is
well known to your majesty, as well as to all your subjects."

• Stipends.
  H

50
“ Well, then,” said the king, “ pay him a quarter of his
gift ; there is no necessity for giving him more : do as I
bid you.” The brahmin was astounded at this unusual
proceeding, and very injudiciously made the following
remark :—“ I cannot think you act as becomes your
exalted position. Vickramadetea always entertained me at
his court with every demonstration of respect and pleasure,
and not unfrequently sent me back loaded with presents in
addition to the regular allotment ; indeed he was in all
respects a most humane, just, and discerning prince. You
are placed in authority over this kingdom, and, to acquit
yourself well of the trust, should prove a father to the people
you rule. From what I now observe, and other circum-
stances that have come under my notice, you are unworthy
of your dignity. I feel assured that God will sooner or later
visit you with his severe judgment, on account of the course
you now pursue, and the outrages and cruel barbarities
you are inflicting upon your subjects.” Koobjuck, highly
indignant at the daring of the brahmin, directed an officer
in attendance to take him immediately from his sight, and
to turn him out of the city with ignominy. “ Tell him,”
said he, “ to go in search of his mighty Vickramadetea,
as he calls him, and if he succeeds in finding this
imaginary person, he may perhaps meet with satisfac-
tion.” “ Have a little patience,” said the brahmin, “ I will
endeavour to find him, and bring him here, depend upon
it. It would be in vain that my mother carried me for
nine months in her womb, if I fail in this. Allow me to
remind you that the Indra and Bhusmasoor were not
overlooked by Almighty God, but were punished for their
barbarity.” Saying this, and before the officer who had been
ordered to remove him could put his orders into execution,
the brahmin bounded past him, and was on his way to look
for the rightful king, as he had said. He travelled from one
city to another, through unknown and unexplored wilds,
over hills and dales, and into every place where he thought
there was any likelihood of meeting with or hearing of the

51
monarch he was in search of. Neither heat nor cold,
hunger or thirst, could damp the ardour with which he
prosecuted his pursuit. He anxiously enquired of those he
met with in his wanderings whether they could supply him
with any information regarding the person he sought, or
knew where he could be found or heard of. His food
during this long tour consisted of the wild fruits of the earth.
At night he sought repose under a tree, or in the shelter of
a rock, if he happened to be near one; or, if by chance he
was overtaken by the clouds of night near some habitable
locality, he found refuge in a temple or dhurumshala* from
the inclemencies of the night wind and sometimes of the
pelting rain. He never remained in one place longer than
was necessary to recruit his failing strength, and that never
beyond the hours of night : he was up again in the morning,
and on his search for the lost king. He had journeyed in
this manner for some time, when he came to a limpid lake,
and a temple dedicated to Shiva; into this he went, and thus
addressed the idol before him :—" Oh, lord Shiva! be
propitious to the undertaking in which I am now engaged,
and assist me in speedily obtaining a sight of my lost
friend." He then prostrated himself, and having remained
so for some time, seated himself on a sopat† ; whilst there,
engaged in revolving the past and concerting plans for his
future movements, he perceived a young and handsome
prince, very interesting in appearance, and richly attired,
performing his religious duties. When he had finished his
devotions, the brahmin approached him, and addressed him
in the following terms :—" Pray, on what account, if I may
be permitted to ask, are you engaged in these austerities and
pious practices, so uncommon in one of your youth and
apparent condition?" The prince replied, "Your question
only gives me pain : of what avail is it that I should disclose
my grief, which is gnawing my heart's core, to you? Can
* A caravanserai.
† A branch of the verandah.

52
you bring me relief?" Somedut replied, 'that as yet he did
not know whether or not he could afford the prince
any relief, " but," said he, " if you will deign to acquaint
me with the cause, it may not be out of my power to devise
some measures by which the wishes of your heart may be
accomplished. I must inform you that I do not request
your confidence from any motives of curiosity, .but only
because you seem troubled and ill at ease. The hand of death
is apparently on you, and unless some speedy remedy be
applied to check the tyrant in his course, I fear lest you may
succumb. Pray, therefore, unbosom yourself to me. I
may possibly possess the means of alleviating your sorrow,
if not of removing its cause." 'The prince then enquired of
the brahmin who he was, whence he had come, and where he
was travelling to. The brahmin having satisfied the prince
on these several points, the latter began as follows :—
" About two yojuns* from where we now stand, there is
a subterranean dwelling, with a gate leading to it, wherein
dwells with her father a princess named Pudmavuntty; it is
a stately palace which they inhabit. He who is to win the
hand of this princess, who is transcendantly beautiful,
must consent to a condition, one of the most difficult and
hazardous that can well be imagined. It is this : a vessel,
filled with oil and other inflammatory liquids in a boiling
state, is placed on a furnace, and the man, whoever he is,
must bathe himself in it by the aid of a sinkat† suspended
over the same. If he effects this without injury to himself,
the princess will accept him for her future lord and master.
She is without exception the most beautiful woman the
world ever produced. I have several times attempted to go
through the ordeal, but have not had sufficient courage to
proceed with it. On each occasion of my failure I have
returned to this place, and in silence poured out the inward
workings of my heart before the shrine of the god to whom
* A measure of length, equal to four coss, or eight English miles.
† A sling, the string or loop of which is attached to either end of
a pole or yoke, to receive the burden.

53

this temple is dedicated, as you found me a short time ago.
Twelve long years have rolled over my head since I first saw
the princess. I reside in the city of Chundragerry; my
father is named Chundrasain, a powerful king, who still
reigns in that kingdom. My name is Duntsain. I love this
princess too much to hope for any peace of mind while we
remain apart from each other. I came down here to make
another essay of my courage; but the arduous condition
attached to the winning of the princess has quite wearied
me. Still my passion for her is daily gaining strength,
and I cannot restrain it. Death would indeed be pre-
ferable to remaining in this dreadful state of agitation and
suspense.”
During this narration, the prince became much affected,
and appeared pressed down by the weight of his grief.
The brahmin, however, assured him that if he would have a
little patience and moderate his grief, he would in a few
days put him in a way to become possessed of the object of
his affection; and, after adding some further words of
consolation, he withdrew.
The brahmin, having left the prince, seated himself in the
shade of the nearest tree, and racked his brains, not how to
bring about the wishes of the unfortunate prince he had
just returned from, but how to gain some information of his
sovereign, the good and beloved Vickramadetea. The sun
having run his course, was now fast giving place to the
shades of evening, and the refreshed traveller once more was
afoot, and wending his onward course. A few hours’ smart
walking brought him to the city of Sendoornuggry. As he
approached it he walked in the direction of a temple erected
in the outskirts of the town, with a beautiful lake beside it.
It was the same temple and lake, as our readers will have
surmised, in which the parrot sought refuge after his narrow
escape from death at the hands of the inhuman cook of the
famed actress. The traveller entered the temple, and paid
his devotions to the goddess Kallika, and then returned to
the inviting shade of the clump of trees on the borders of

54
the lake. It so happened that the tree under which he sat
was the one most loved by the parrot. The brahmin, after
having adjusted his clothes, which had been disarranged by
his recent travelling, raised his voice and prayed loudly.
“Oh, supreme ruler of the universe!” said he, “do not
permit me to go back empty-handed from my travels. I
solicit no other favor than that you will be pleased to grant
me an interview with my old patron and just king Vickra-
madetea. The world does not often produco such a rare and
virtuous prince: he is rich in every good quality.” Before
the brahmin took up his position under the tree, the unfor-
tunate parrot, who was perched up aloft, had observed him
approaching. He now said to the brahmin, “My good sir,
you seem to have come a long distance, and you are greatly
fatigued, no doubt, by walking in this hot season of the
year. Pray be seated. Please inform me respecting your
destination, whom you seek, and your reasons for under-
taking so long a journey.” The traveller was extremely
pleased at the consideration and sympathising manner
in which he was addressed. He suspected something, but
could not well define even to himself what that suspicion was.
He said to the parrot, however, “Oh, excellent parrot!
too truly am I fatigued, both in body and mind; but
I feel much relieved of my anxiety at beholding you and
hearing you speak. If you are not what you seem to be,
pray tell me. I suspect you to be the king of whom I am in
search. If so, hasten your return to the city of Oujein. I
entreat you, lose no time; and make me acquainted with the
circumstances attending your metamorphosis. If you will
afford me no comfort in this respect, I shall certainly die of
grief.” “By what means,” said the parrot, “would you
know again the king? Perhaps he is not in human shape.”
“Why not?” said the traveller; “he is a most excellent
personage, and I can point him out by virtue of his wisdom,
exquisite beauty, and other rare qualities. I am sanguine I
shall soon meet him. I see marvellous signs that forebode it.
My hand is quivering, my right eye twitching, and the bird

55
Pingla* frequently perches near me. From these signs I am
led to believe that it will not be long ere my desire to behold
Vickramadetea be accomplished.” Having listened to all
that the traveller had said, the parrot, at one bound,
approached him, and declared himself to be Vickramadetea.
He then related how he had become a parrot, his proceedings
while in the possession of the Bahooroopee, in what manner
he had been bought by Dushwant, the barbarous attempt
of Kamsaina, the actress, against his life, how she became
deprived of her riches through his instrumentality, and
all the hardships he had endured. He dwelt largely on each
of the circumstances attendant upon his adventures. -Lastly,
thanking the brahmin for his sincerity and gratitude towards
him, which were exemplified by the trouble he had taken to
seek him at so great a distance from Oujein,—passing over
mountains, through wastes unknown, and foreign cities,
where he must have encountered a variety of dangers,
disappointments, and delays, and all the hardships and
privations attendant upon such a journey,—the bird assured
the brahmin that he would at all times and ever after
remember, with deep gratitude and profound sentiments of
love and esteem, the sacrifices and inconveniences he had
been put to for his sake. “My dear Vickramadetea,” said
the brahmin, “I have certainly endured much for you, but
the wish of my heart being realised, they are no longer
thought of, still less dwelt upon. I now feel a most
delightful sensation of pleasure that is undefinable. I am,
now that I have found you, supremely happy.” And he
held the parrot to his bosom, and loaded him with kisses
and fond embraces. He made the parrot acquainted with
the treatment he had received from the infamous Koobjuck,
when he presented himself at court for his yearly allowance;
nor did he forget to relate the case of the unfortunate prince
whom he had found at his devotions, and practising
austerities and severities upon his person, at the temple, and

• A sort of crane, the appearance of which is said to be a good
  omen.

56
the assurance he had given him that he would exert all his
powers to secure for him the desire of his heart—the hand-
some princess. Vickramadetea's nobleness prompted him to
attend to the wants of others, ere he proceeded with anything
for himself; so he expressed to the brahmin his willingness
to proceed to the place where the young prince of whom he
spoke was to be met with, and promised that he would assist
in the endeavour to obtain the hand of the princess for the
anxious and devoted lover. The parrot and the brahmin
passed the night together under the same tree, and in the
morning, Somedut placed him on his shoulder and retraced
his steps towards the temporary abode of prince Duntsain.
The prince saw the brahmin with the parrot approaching,
and awaited them with anxiety depicted on his countenance.
When they came near to him he saluted Somedut, and
addressed him thus :—" My dear Somedut, since your
departure I have been placed in a worse position than that
in which you found me on your first visit. My passion is
killing me gradually, my patience is fast wearing out, my
courage fails me more than ever, and I am the most wretched
of human creatures." The brahmin replied, " Look here,
this bird is the king Vickramadetea, and he will be the
means of procuring you your wishes," and he placed the
bird on the prince's hand, who prostrated himself in all
respect before it. The prince was pleased, and a gleam of
joy shot through his withered heart. He likewise made his
obeisance, entreating both the king and Somedut not to
suffer him any longer to remain a prey to the anguish he
had borne for twelve long years and more, but to take pity
upon him, and to fulfil the promise they had vouchsafed to
make him in their kindness of heart as early as possible.
The parrot told his friend Somedut that he wished him to
learn the charm of changing his natural shape and
appearance, as it was necessary they should mutually
exchange their conditions : in this way he said he would be
able to bring about speedily the prince's desire. Somedut
consented at once, and commenced to learn the mysterious

57
charm ; when he became sufficiently versed in it to answer
present purposes, they were each of them transformed :
Vickramadetea became a brahmin, and the brahmin a
parrot. This bird was delivered into the hands of Prince
Duntsain, who, together with the bird and the newly-created
brahmin, proceeded to the gate of the princess' subterranean
dwelling. Having reached it, the prince and the parrot
remained outside, while the brahmin entered alone, and
did not stop till he had reached the magnificent palace,
situated in the centre of a vast enclosure. He perceived near
the palace, in an opposite direction, the whole of the
machinery which had been represented to him. He went on
till he came up to a number of slaves loitering about. He
desired one of them to go instantly and inform his mistress
Pudmavuntty that a stranger had arrived, willing to win her
hand on the stipulated terms. The slave having reported
the arrival of the brahmin to his mistress, introduced him
by her sanction into her appartment, which was constructed
in a most magnificent style, and at enormous cost, by the
most skilful architect of the time. The walls and massive
pillars were covered with numerous beautiful representations
of beasts and birds, in paintings of gold, with trees of verdant
enamel ; then, passing a hall, he was agreeably surprised to
see one of the finest orchards a man can well conceive but
rarely sees, in which the wonderful and tasteful arrangement
of the trees and shrubs, their luxuriant growth, the diversity
of the fruits, some few of which he had never before seen or
heard of, their freshness and delicacy, and the sweet perfume
wafted along by the gentle play of the breeze that was then
blowing, all conspired to overpower him with a sensation of
unalloyed pleasure for the time. The flower-garden was not
less extraordinary in its kind : it was, as in the case of the
orchard, arranged with much tasteful skill, and the fragrance
issuing from a thousand different sources was a luxury
vouchsafed to few. The sweet warblings of a number of
birds added to the grandeur and attractions of the place.
In short, whoever entered this domicile could not help being
I