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Simhasanadvatrimshika 16

English (machine translation) 16

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English

16.p1

Once again, just as the king was about to sit upon the throne, another statuette said: "O King, if you possess the qualities of generosity and the rest like Vikrama, then sit upon this throne." The king said: "O statuette, tell the story of his generosity." She said: "Listen, O King. King Vikramārka once set forth for world conquest, wandered through the east, south, west, and north, and the intermediate directions, brought the kings dwelling there beneath his feet, took the collections of precious goods including elephants and horses surrendered by them, re-established them in their respective countries, and returned toward his own city. At the time of entering the city, the astrologer said: 'O Lord, for four days there is no auspicious moment for entering the city.' Hearing his word, the king halted outside the town, had tent pavilions erected in a garden grove, and undertook to stay right there for four days. At that time, spring, the king of seasons, arrived. In that springtime:

16.1

The bakula trees instantly bear buds, / their swarms of bees clustering dense across all directions; / large as lotus blossoms, they are spoken of like eyes of celestial maidens / who have held a mouthful of wine to sprinkle on them. || 1

16.p2

And furthermore:

16.2

Bees, humming deep and low, intensify their passion / born from the intoxication of mango's gentle nectar; / and the gentle breeze, adept at stealing the scent / of the lotus-faces of women, blows continuously. || 2

16.p3

Seeing such a display of spring, the minister Sumantra approached the king and said: "O King, spring, the king of seasons, has arrived. Today the worship of spring must be performed; when it is worshipped, all seasons will be propitious, all people will have prosperity, and there will be appeasement of all misfortunes." Hearing his words, the king agreed and commanded him alone to prepare the articles for the worship of spring. Then that minister had a very lovely assembly pavilion constructed, and invited brahmins learned in the Vedas and learned treatises, as well as dancers and charming women skilled in singing, instrumental music, and dance. Other petitioners—the wretched, the blind, the deaf, the crippled, the hunchbacked, and others—came of their own accord. In that assembly pavilion, a throne inlaid with the nine gems was placed; upon that throne, a pair of images of Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa was consecrated. For their worship, fragrant substances such as saffron, camphor, musk, sandalwood, and aloe-wood were brought, and flowers such as jasmine, mango-blossom, young mallikā, kunda, water-lily, madana, maruvaka, campaka, and ketakī were brought. When all the preparations were thus completed, the king himself performed the sixteen modes of worship of Nārāyaṇa, and honored the brahmins and the people skilled in arts with garments and other gifts; then the singers sang praises in the spring melody and praised spring. Thereupon, giving them betel, the king dismissed them, and gratified the remaining cripples, the blind, and others with gifts of gold. At that moment, a certain brahmin, holding a young girl by the hand, came before the king and,

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May Ambikā's face grant you good fortune— / at her wedding with the bearer of the Pināka, adorned with a snake-bracelet, / her glance bewildered, her face bent down in modesty / with "Homage to Śiva" only half-spoken. || 3

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having uttered this blessing, he said: "O King, I have a petition." The king said: "State it." The brahmin said: "I am a resident of the city of Nandivardhana; I have had only eight sons, and no daughter. Then, together with my wife, I made this vow before the Mother of the Universe: 'O Ambikā, if a daughter is born to me, I will give her your name. Moreover, I will give this maiden, along with her weight in gold, to some bridegroom learned in the Veda.' Now, the time for her marriage is at hand, Jupiter is in the eleventh house, and it cannot be done again in the coming year. Therefore, there being no one else on the circle of the earth except Vikrama capable of giving her weight in gold, I have come to you." The king said: "O brahmin, you have acted well. Take as much wealth as is needed for your purpose." Summoning his treasurer, he said: "O Dravyadatta, give this brahmin the weight of this maiden in gold; furthermore, let eighty million gold pieces be given separately for his family of eight." Then, instructed by him, Dravyadatta gave that much gold to the brahmin. The brahmin, exceedingly satisfied, went to his own city with his maiden daughter. And the king entered the city at an auspicious moment.

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Having told this story, the statuette said to the king: "O King, if such generosity is found in you, then sit upon this throne." The king remained silent. Thus ends the sixteenth tale.

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