Simhasanadvatrimshika 23.p1

23.p1

punar api rājā yāvat siṃhāsana upaveṣṭuṃ gacchati, tāvad anyā puttalikā bhaṇati: bho rājan, asmin siṃhāsane 'dhiroḍhuṃ sa eva samarthaḥ, vikramasyau 'dāryādiguṇavān yaḥ. rājño 'ktam: bhoḥ puttalike, kathaya tasyau 'dāryavṛttāntam. sā 'bravīt: śṛṇu rājan. ekadā vikramārko mahīṃ paribhramya nijanagaram āgataḥ. nagaravāsināṃ sarveṣām ānando jātaḥ. rājā svabhavanaṃ praviṣṭaḥ. madhyāhnasamaye 'bhyaṅgaḥ kṛtaḥ; tadanantaraṃ candanavastrādibhir alaṃkṛto devasya ṣoḍaśopacāraṃ vidhāya devastutiṃ karoti:

When the king approacht once more to ascend the throne, another statue said: "O king, only he who has the magnanimity and other virtues of Vikrama is able to ascend this throne." The king said: "O statue, tell me a tale of his magnanimity." And she said: "Hear, O king.

Once Vikramārka returned to his own city after wandering about the earth, and there was great joy among all the dwellers in his city. The king entered his palace; and at midday he had his body anointed, and straightway made his toilet with sandalwood (perfume) and fine garments and the like, and performed the sixteen-fold service before the God [Viṣṇu is meant], and praised the God, saying: 1. "Thou only art mother and father, thou only art kinsman and friend, thou only art knowledge and wealth, thou only art all to me, O God of Gods! 2. Homage, homage to the Primeval Dwarf, to Nārāyaṇa of infinite might, to the revered Bearer of the bow, the disc, the sword, and the mace; homage to Thee, the Supreme Spirit!" Having thus praised the God and worshipt him, he gave to the brahmans the regular gifts of brindle cows, land, sesame-grain, and so forth, and next gave rich largess to the poor, blind, deaf, crippled, lame, and helpless. And entering into the banquet-house he first caused the children, daughters living at home, old men, and such (dependants) to eat, and then ate himself with the rest of his kinsfolk. And this is well said: 3. When they have fed the children, daughters living at home, old men, pregnant women, the sick, young girls, guests, and servants, then the remainder of the feast shall be for the husband and wife. And again: 4. Let one who desires his own welfare not eat all alone; a man shall take his meal together with two or three kinsfolk. 5. By eating together with two or three, or many, one attains the successful fruition of his desires, and the fair satisfaction of good fortune. And after eating he rested a time before arising. And it is said: 6. A man who sits after eating gets a fat paunch; one who sleeps after eating gets comfort; one who walks after eating gets long life; if one runs, death runs upon him. And again: 7. Sicknesses arise in six ways; thru too much water-drinking, and thru eating irregularly [as to quantity or time]; thru sleeping by day and thru staying awake by night; and thru retention of urine and excrement.