Simhasanadvatrimshika 26.p2

26.p2

ekadā 'maranagaryām indraḥ siṃhāsana upaviṣṭo 'bhūt. tasya sabhāyām aṣṭāśītisahasrarṣīṇāṃ samūha upaviṣṭa āsīt, trayastriṅśatkoṭayo devatāś co 'paviṣṭā āsan, aṣṭau lokapālāḥ, ekonapañcāśan marudgaṇāḥ, dvādaśā 'dityāś candraś ca, nāradas tumburuś ca, divyāṃganā urvaśīrambhāmenakātilottamāmiśrakeśīghṛtācīmañjughoṣāpriyadarśanāprabhṛtidivyastriya upaviṣṭā babhūvuḥ, sarvo 'pi gandharvagaṇa upaviṣṭo 'bhūt. tasminn avasare nāradenā 'vādi: bhūmaṇḍale vikramasadṛśaḥ kīrtimān paropakārī mahāsattvasaṃpanno rājā nā 'sti. tad vacanam ākarṇya sarvā 'pi devasabhā paraṃ vismayaṃ jagāma. kāmadhenur api bhaṇati: ko 'tra saṃdehaḥ? vismayo 'pi na kāryaḥ. uktaṃ ca:

Once Indra sat upon his throne in the city of the gods. In his assembly there were seated the crowd of the eighty-eight thousand seers, and the thirty-three crores of deities were seated there; also the eight World-protectors [leading gods], and the throngs of the forty-nine Maruts, and the twelve Ādityas, and the moon, and Nārada [compare page 19, line 9] and Tumburu; also the apsarases and divine nymphs were seated there, Urvaçī and Rambhā and Menakā and Tilottamā and Miçrakeçī and Ghṛtācī and Mañjughoṣā and Priyadarçanā and the rest. And all the band of the gandharvas were seated there. At this time Nārada said: “In the whole world there is no king so glorious, benevolent, and heroic as Vikrama.” Hearing his words all the assembly of the gods were much amazed. But the Cow of Wishes said: “What reason for doubt is there here? This is no cause for amazement. And it is said: 3. No one need be astonisht at generosity, asceticism, heroism, learning, moral discipline, and prudent behavior; the earth is full of gems. And so: 4. There are great differences to be found in different horses, elephants, and metals, woods, stones, and garments, men, women, and waters.” Thereupon Indra said to the Cow of Wishes: “Do you go to the world of men and examine the compassion, benevolence, and other virtues of Vikrama, and report to me.” Thereupon the Cow of Wishes took the form of a very feeble cow, and went to the world of men.