Simhasanadvatrimshika 26: 26. Story of the Twenty-sixth Statuette
Vikrama's Adventures, or The Thirty-two Tales of the Throne 26
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- English
Contents
- 26.p5 — 4 parts
26. Story of the Twenty-sixth Statuette
26.p1
Vikrama and the cow that grants every wish (“Wish-cow”)
26.p2
SOUTHERN RECENSION OF 26
26.p3
When the king once more was ascending the throne, another statue said: “O king, only he is worthy to ascend this throne who has the magnanimity and other virtues of Vikrama.” The king said: “O statue, tell me a tale of his magnanimity.” She said: “O king, listen.
26.p4
There is no king like Vikramāditya in the virtues of courage, magnanimity, compassion, discrimination, firmness, and the like. Moreover, his words never proved false; what was in his heart, just that he said, and whatever followed from his words, even that he did. Therefore he was a righteous man. And it is said: 1. In righteous men there is uniformity of thought, word, and deed. As their thought is, so is their word, and as their word is, so is their deed. 2. This is the inborn nature of righteous men, to be kind, to speak pleasantly, and to show boundless affection; did anyone *make* the moon cool?
26.p5.1
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.
26.p5.2
And when Vikramārka came along the road, she was sunk into an impassable swamp there; and seeing the king she cried out piteously. But the king went up to her and lookt, and saw that she was sunk in a very difficult and impassable swamp; and a tiger had come up near to her. The king strove to pull the cow out, but she did not come forth. And the sun set; and at night a rain fell. He however remained on the spot, guarding the helpless cow. Finally the sun arose, and the cow, having made proof of the king’s compassion, firmness, and other virtues, came forth (from the swamp) of her own accord, and said to the king: “O king, I am the Cow of Wishes, come from heaven to make trial of your compassion and other virtues. Now I have seen the proof of them; there is no king on earth so full of compassion as you. I am propitiated; choose a wish.” The king said: “By your grace I am in need of nothing; what is there for me to ask?” She said: “It is impossible that my words should bear no fruit. So I will remain in your very presence.” So she went along with the king. Now when the king came to the highway with her, a certain brahman came up, and first recited a blessing: 5. “Frightened by the war-god’s peacock, who was summoned by the sounds of the tambourine joyously struck by Nandi at the dance of the Club-bearer [Çiva], the serpent-king [Vāsuki] contracted his coils and crept into the nostril of Gaṇeça;
26.p5.3
whereat the latter, with cries of alarm, shook his head so that the regions of the air were made resonant by the swarms of bees that flew up from his [elephantine] temples. May those head-shakings of his long protect you!” [This is the first verse of Bhavabhūti’s play, Mālatīmādhava.] And then he said: “O king, by reason of my poverty I am become a magician; since tho I can see all people, no one can see me. And it is said: 6. Hail to you, Poverty! By your grace I am become a magician. For tho I can see everybody, no man can see me at all. Now if one is sealed with the seal of poverty, there is always in his house the (ceremonial) uncleanness of childbirth. 7. ‘Give me, a wayfarer, a bite to eat, fair lady.’ ‘Alas, your words are fruitless.’ ‘Tell me why.’ ‘My friend, there is the uncleanness of child-birth here.’ ‘Is there no time-limit to it?’ ‘For life this lasts, and there can be no further birth; this is because of the power of my son. (You ask) who was born to me in this dearth of all property? A son named Poverty!’” The king said: “O brahman, what do you ask for?” The brahman said: “O king, your majesty is a tree of wishes for your suppliants. Bring it about that my poverty shall be destroyed for the rest of my life.” The king said: “This Cow of Wishes here will give you what you wish; take her.” So he gave him the Cow of Wishes. And the brahman, feeling as if he had gained the bliss of paradise, took the Cow of Wishes and went to his own place.
26.p5.4
And the king returned to his city.
26.p6
Having told this story the statue said to King Bhoja: “O king, if such magnanimity is found in you, then mount upon this throne.” And hearing this the king was silent.
26.p7
Here ends the twenty-sixth story
26.p8
METRICAL RECENSION OF 26
26.p9
When King Bhoja once more came forward to ascend the throne, the well-formed words of a statue were heard: “If such courage, magnanimity, and firmness bloom forth in you, O king, then seat yourself upon this his throne.” And when he, being anxious to hear, askt her to tell a tale, she related a story belonging to the Adventures of Vikramāditya.
26.p10
There was in olden time a king of the whole earth, Vikramārka, in the abundance of whose glory the fame of the kings of former time was lost. While he was ruling the earth and protecting it from any shock of violence, and was delighting the gods with the numerous sacrificial festivals which he constantly engaged in, the King of the Immortals [Indra] once entered into the divine assembly-hall with the immortals. He was attended by many princes and lordly seers, along with the countless throngs of gods and Candra [the moon] his minister, and with the overlords of the gandharvas headed by Viçvāvasu; also (the heavenly nymphs) Ghṛtācī and Menakā and Rambhā and Sahajanyā and Tilottamā and Urvaçī and Sukeçī along with Priyadarçanā were at hand, and the eight Magic Powers, and the eight supreme deities of the Directions; all these came together and attended the glorious feet of Great Indra. And (the seer) Nārada and others who stood in this so great assembly, being given leave, engaged in the praise of virtuous men. Then Nārada said to Indra: “All the virtuous kings together cannot surpass King Vikramāditya. Abounding in nobility and courage, endowed with manliness and magnanimity, he alone protects the people of the world, with unimpaired valor.” Indra was amazed at the words of Nārada, and looking at the Cow of Wishes who stood by his side, he said: “Do you go and examine his virtues.”
26.p11
Receiving the command of Great Indra, the Cow of Wishes went to the earth, and fell into a difficult pit, and floundered there, like an ordinary cow. Now the king, after wandering about the regions in disguise, was returning again to his city, when he heard the distrest cries of the cow. “Whence comes this cry as of a cow, in this forest full of flesh-eating beasts? I must look into this.” So thinking, he went to the place where she was. And when he saw the wretched cow, fallen into the pit, with streaming eyes, and feebly striving to get out of her difficulty, then he reflected compassionately: “If a man capable (of helping) passes by without aiding a distinguisht man who has been robbed of his property by others, or a friend who has got into trouble, or a guest coming to his house, or a lord in desperate straits, or a brahman who has been enslaved by violence, or such a cow as this; such a man even Yama [god of death] does not respect.” So deciding the mighty king took her by the tail, but could not pull her out, for she was very heavy. And the sun, thinking “Let not Great Indra suspect that I am helping the king,” concealed himself in the water of the western ocean. And as if grieved because their lord [the sun] had sunk and past away to regions unknown, the quarters of the sky [harit, also used of the steeds of the sun] no longer shone, but put on dark garments. Thinking “The sun left all the rest of the sky and came unto me, and now he has gone into the other world,” the west (like a widow) entered the evening fire as if wishing to die (as a satī). Then darkness overspread the sky, like a herd of bears, black as a tamāla-tree, coming out of a mountain thicket. And the loud cries of owls sounded like the drums of the vanguard of the brigand Darkness, coming forth in a world [or, among the people] left kingless [without protection; also, punningly, ‘without light’] by the overthrow and destruction of the sun [also, punningly, of its (the world’s) friend]. Stirred up by sudden fierce winds, storm-clouds lighted up the heaven round about (with lightning), sending forth a sound of a thundering roar. And the flashes of lightning shone against the huge dark clouds, like rows of forest fires on the peaks of Mount Añjana. And rain-clouds came out on all sides, and filled to the brim the earth’s hollows with streams of rain as large as pillars. Thruout the night the king stood quite alone and unafraid, shielding with his own person the cow, which shivered in the cold and windy rain. Thinking “It is impossible for me, deprived of allies [punningly, ‘of the sun’], to hinder the course of majestic men,” the night slowly slunk away as if in fear. And the birds cried out loudly in applause: “Marvelous! Yon king has easily withstood the strategem of Indra.” The mountains became like the Golden Mountain, and the birds became like the (gleaming) garuḍa-bird, as the world became pervaded by the gold-ruddy rays of the dawn; the darkness disappeared, dispelled by the yellow sun. Whose sorrow would not be brought to an end by him [the sun] who puts a check on all things?
26.p12
Now at daybreak the king once more made a great effort to pull her out; but she did not stir in the slightest degree. At this moment a great tiger burst into view, with crashing limbs, roaring loudly, and lifting his great tail like a staff high in air. When the king saw this ferocious beast approaching, he fearlessly put himself between him and the cow, whose eyes rolled in terror. But the mighty beast, with empty belly and yawning jaws, straightway lifted up his feet and sprang at the cow, falling like Mount Meru. And the tiger, roaring fearfully, struck the king a mighty blow with his claw-nailed paw. Withstanding his fierce attack, hard tho it was to withstand, the king smote the attacker of the cow with his sword, like a thunderbolt. But the tiger kept on making strenuous efforts, striking ferociously at the king, in his desire to get the cow; but his fierce attacks were repelled by the king’s knife. Such was the course of the event. And after this a plentiful rain of flowers, thrown down by the hands of the gods, fell upon the king. And satisfied by his behavior, the cow, shining in divine radiance, said to the king, as he stood with head respectfully lowered: "My son, I am the Cow of Wishes, sent to investigate your conduct by the Lord of the Gods. I am satisfied; choose a wish." Hearing these words of the Cow of Wishes, urging him to choose, he prostrated himself and spoke thus: "O mother, hear my words. I have no desire for glorious possessions, for my heart is completely satisfied by obtaining the bliss of looking upon you." Hearing the king's uncovetous words, and perceiving his steadfastness, the cow was amazed, and said to him: "I am yours!" Then the king, going along to his own city with the cow, gave her to a poor brahman who begged of him. And the cow fulfilled all the desires of the brahman, and returned to heaven.
26.p13
If there is anyone superior in virtue to this Vikramāditya, whose conduct was so marvelously noble, name him, King Bhoja! For this throne of Indra is unworthy of anyone else than such a one. So give up your desire for it, and live in peace, King Bhoja.
26.p14
Having told this tale she ceast from her words, and the noble king ceast likewise from his desire for the throne.
26.p15
Here ends the twenty-sixth story
26.p16
BRIEF RECENSION OF 26
26.p17
Once more a statue said: O king, listen.
26.p18
One time the king [!] went to the assembly-hall of Indra in heaven. The gods, gandharvas, and so on came together to pay their respects. At this time a question was raised there: "In the world of men there is no one more courageous and magnanimous than Vikrama." Then Indra lookt at the Cow of Wishes; and she said: "What is there strange in this?" Indra said: "Go to earth and make trial of his courage." So she went to the earthly world. And the king was returning to his city after wandering about the country, when he beheld in the middle of a wood an old and infirm cow, stuck in the mud. He tried to draw her out, but she could not be extracted. Then the sun set; and the masses of clouds darkened, and it rained. At this point a tiger came thither. The king wrapt the cow in his own clothing, and himself stood there stark naked. Then the sun arose; and having perceived his resolution, the cow spoke to him: "O king, I am pleased, choose a wish." The king said: "I have no wish." The cow said: "If you have no need, then I will remain in your presence as in the presence of a god." So the king departed on the road with her. On the way a certain brahman gave the king a blessing (and said): "O king, give me food." The king gave him the Cow of Wishes.
26.p19
The statue said: O king, let him ascend this throne who has such magnanimity.
26.p20
Here ends the twenty-sixth story
26.p21
JAINISTIC RECENSION OF 26
26.p22
Once more on another occasion when King Bhoja had made complete preparations for the coronation-rite and was ascending the throne, the twenty-sixth statue said: "O king, he who has magnanimity like Vikramāditya's mounts upon this throne." And when the king askt "Of what sort was that magnanimity?" the statue said: "O king,
26.p23
In Avantī-city the noble King Vikrama held complete sway. One time the noble Purandara [Indra], whose glorious feet are worshipt by the thirty-two lacs [a lac is 100,000] of gods and divine nymphs, said in the heavenly assembly: "Hear, ye gods! At present in the world of men there is no other blessed man, eminent in devotion to saving the lives of others, than Vikrama." Hearing these words of the king of the gods, all the gods and divine nymphs reflected in their hearts, their eyes smiling in astonishment: "Ah, blessed indeed is this King Vikrama, since the king of the gods himself praises him thus." At this time a certain god said to his friend, not believing the words of the king of the gods: 1. "Rumor and argument should in every case be accepted only subject to a review of the real facts, even as life is declared to be first in importance, rather than the fortunes of kingship." Hearing this the second god, his friend, said: "Then let us two go down there ourselves and investigate." Thus determining, both the gods came to the earth to make trial of Vikrama. At this time Vikrama was wandering alone in the forest, carried astray by his horse. Then one of them took the form of a cow, lean of body, and went and stood in a swamp, sunk in the mud, and at the sight of the king began to bellow. Hearing this sound the king went thither, and dismounting from his horse compassionately tried to pull the cow out of the mud. Thereupon the second god took the form of a lion, making the earth-circle tremble with the strokes of his tail, and hurting the ears of all animals with his lion's roar. And seeing this seeming lion the king reflected: 2. "There are thousands of beasts of prey in the forest, pufft up with arrogance and prowess; but this lion alone do we praise for his majesty, that is superior to all. At his haughty roar the crowds of boars quit their play, the passionate elephants their intoxication (of lust), wild men [? nāhala] their chatter, and buffaloes their jealous rivalry. Therefore if I abandon this feeble bellowing cow and go away, this lion will kill her in a minute. So this night I shall stay right here and guard her. For if a man has the power, and does not perform his duty to his lord, or prevent a misfortune to a friend, or save the helpless, or keep his own word, or grant a favor askt, or help others, no one is so foolish as he." So the king, sword in hand, guarded the cow thru the night. And in the morning the two gods appeared before him, and told him of Indra's eulogy and the reason for their own coming, and being gratified gave him a boon. The king said: "By your grace I have everything; there is nothing that I need." Then they two said: "The sight of a deity is never in vain; so take this Cow of Wishes [!] here." So the two gods gave her to him, and departed. But the king took the Cow of Wishes, and as he was returning to his own city he was askt for alms by a certain beggar. And fearing to refuse a request he gave him the Cow of Wishes. In the words of the verse: 3. Ah, this Vikrama is the (only) generous man upon earth; upon request he gave away the Cow of Wishes, given him by gods who had heard him praised by the king of the gods, and had tested him. Therefore, O king, if such magnanimity is found in you, then mount upon this throne.
26.p24
Here ends the twenty-sixth story in the Thirty-two Tales of the Throne
Linked texts (1)
- Siṃhāsanadvātriṃśikā — Sanskrit