Simhasanadvatrimshika 30.p8

30.p8

ity evam uktvā 'gnidānārthaṃ rājñaḥ pādayoḥ papāta. rājā 'pi tasyā vacanaṃ śrutvā karuṇārasārdrāntaḥkaraṇaḥ sañ chrīkhaṇḍādibhiś citāṃ viracya tasyā anujñāṃ dadau. sā 'pi rājñaḥ sakāśād anujñāṃ prāpya bhartṛśarīreṇa sahā 'gniṃ praviveśa. tataḥ sūryo 'stamagāt. prabhāte rājā saṃdhyādikaṃ karmā 'nuṣṭhāya siṃhāsana upaviṣṭo yāvat sakalasāmantarājakumārādibhir upāsyate, tāvat sa eva nāyakaḥ pūrvavat khaḍgahasto dīrghākāro dedīpyamānavigrahaḥ samāgatya rājñaḥ kaṇṭhe kalpatarukusumagrathitāṃ parimalalubdhamadhukaranikurumbanirantarāṃ mālāṃ nidhāye 'ndrādeśaṃ tasmai nivedya nānāvidhayuddhagoṣṭhīṃ kathituṃ pravṛttavān. tatas taṃ samāgataṃ dṛṣṭvā sarvā sabhā vismayaṃ gatā; rājā 'pi vismayaṃ gataḥ. punas tena bhaṇitam: bho rājan, aham asmāt sthānāt svargaṃ gataḥ. tatra mahendrasya daityānāṃ mahān saṃgrāmo 'bhūt. tasmin samaye bahavo rākṣasā nipātitāḥ, kecana palāyya gatāḥ. yuddhāvasāne devendreṇa saprasādam ahaṃ bhaṇitaḥ: bho nāyaka, cirād dṛṣṭo 'si. etāvantaṃ kālaṃ kutra sthito 'si? tato mayā bhaṇitam:

Thus speaking she fell at the king's feet, begging that a fire be provided for her. And when the king heard her words, his heart being tender with genuine compassion, he caused a pyre to be erected of sandalwood and the like, and gave her leave. So she took leave of the king, and in his presence entered the fire together with her husband's body. And the sun set. On the morrow when the king had performed all his morning duties and ascended upon his throne, attended by all his vassal princes and other attendants, that same prince came in, sword in hand, tall and with shining form as before, and put upon the king's neck a garland woven of flowers from the heavenly Tree of Wishes, which was thick with a swarm of bees delighting in their fragrance. And conveying to the king the greetings of Indra he began to converse with him variously about the fight. And seeing him arrived all the council was amazed, and the king was amazed also. And again he said: "O king, I went from this place to heaven, where there was a great battle between Indra and the Dāityas, in which many demons were killed, while some got away in flight. After the battle God Indra said to me graciously: 'O prince, it is a long time since I have seen you. Where have you been this long time?’ Then I said: ‘My lord, because of your curse I have been dwelling these many days upon earth. Hearing that today a battle was in progress between my lord and the Dāityas, I came hither to help.’ Thereupon Great Indra’s heart was much pleased, and he said: ‘O prince, from today on go no more to earth; your curse is lifted, I am satisfied with you. Take this golden bracelet, studded with the nine jewels.’ So speaking he took his bracelet from his own hand and himself put it upon mine. And I replied: ‘My lord, at the time when I came hither I left my wife in charge of Vikramārka; so I will fetch her and return immediately.’ Thus speaking to Purandara [Indra] I came hither. Now you treat other men’s wives as your sisters; so give me this my wife, and I will go with her again to heaven.” When the king heard these words he was amazed, and did not reply. And again he said: “O king, why do you sit silent?” The people who stood about the king said: “Your wife has entered the fire.” He said: “Why?” Then they also were silent, knowing not what to reply. Thereupon he said: “O king, jewel of kings, you who treat other men’s wives as your sisters, tree of wishes for all suppliant-folk, Prince Vikrama, live forever! I am the magician, and this that I have shown you was a trick of juggler’s art.” The king was astonisht. And at that time the treasurer came in and said: “O king, the king of Pāṇḍya has sent his tribute to your majesty.” The king said: “What has he sent?” And he said: “Lord, listen attentively.