Kathasaritsagara 1.5.73

1.5.73

tacchrutvā mantribhiḥ sārdhaṃ bhogavarmā vyacintayat /
duṣṭaḥ sa rājā deśasya nāśamasmākamicchati //

Yodhisthira is questioned by a Yaksha. Benfey compares Mahábhárata XIII (IV, 206) 5883-5918 where a Bráhman seized by a Rákshasa escaped in the same way. "put me to death; if you do not, I will slay myself with my own hand." When he heard that, Bhogavarman was filled with wonder, and said to him, " What does all this mean? Tell me Bráhman, if you do not, you will lie under my curse." Then the minister said to him, " King, in whatever land I am slain, on that land God will not send rain for twelve years." When he heard that, Bhogavarman debated with his minister, "that wicked king desires the destruction of our land, for could he not have employed secret assassins to kill his minister? So we must not put this minister to death, moreover we must prevent him from laying violent hands on himself." Having thus deliberated and appointed him guards, Bhogavarman sent Śivavarman out of his country that moment; so that minister by means of his wisdom returned alive, and his innocence was established from another quarter, for righteousness cannot be undone.