Simhasanadvatrimshika 6.p7

6.p7

tathā ca: brahmacārī bhūtvā gṛhī bhavet, gṛhī bhūtvā vanī bhavet, tato vanī bhūtvā pravrajet. anyac ca: mayā vikramarājāya svapne kathitam; sa tava manorathaṃ pūrayiṣyatī 'ty evaṃ devyā svapne bhaṇitam. ahaṃ tava samīpam āgato 'smī 'ty evaṃ rājñaḥ purataḥ kapaṭavacanam uktavān. tac chrutvā rājā svamanasy acintayat: devatā svapne nā 'kathayat; asāv evā 'nṛtaṃ vadati. astu; tathā 'py ārto vartate, sarvathā 'sya manorathaḥ pūraṇīyaḥ. uktaṃ ca:

And so: when one has been a celibate student he shall become a householder; when he has been a householder he shall become a forest ascetic; when he has been a forest ascetic he shall become a wandering mendicant. [These are the four āçramas or stages of life of a pious Aryan.] Moreover, I have spoken to King Vikrama in a dream, and he will fulfil your desires.’ Thus the goddess spoke in the dream, and so I have come into your presence.” Thus he told a lying tale before the king. Hearing this the king reflected in his heart: “The goddess has not spoken in a dream; this man is certainly lying. Be it so; nevertheless he is in need; I must by all means fulfil his desire. And it is said: 8. A king who gives a gift to one in need, who pays due honors to a neglected idol [liṅga], and who always protects his suppliants, shall obtain the reward that belongs to an açvamedha [great Vedic ‘horse-sacrifice’].”