Simhasanadvatrimshika 17.p6

17.p6

Those four [qualities] exist in that Vikramārka. Once, in another realm, before a certain king, a bard recited the series of Vikrama's virtues. Hearing that series of virtues, that king, feeling rivalry in his mind, said to the bard: "O bard, why do all bards praise only Vikramārka? Is there no other king?" The bard said: "O king, in generosity, benevolence towards others, boldness, and valour, there is no king like him in the three worlds. In performing benevolence towards others, he has no attachment even to his own body." Hearing his words, that king, thinking in his mind, "I too will perform benevolence towards others," summoned a certain yogin and said: "O yogin, is there any means whereby, every day, fresh wealth may be obtained for the sake of benevolence towards others?" The yogin said: "O king, there is none at all." The king said: "If there is, disclose the means before me; I will accomplish it." The yogin said: "On the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, the circle of the sixty-four yoginīs must be worshipped. Having performed the preparatory rite before it with a mantra, an oblation of a tenth part must be made. At the conclusion of the oblation, one's own body itself must be offered into the fire as the final oblation. Then the circle of yoginīs will be pleased; whatever is requested by you, that it will grant." Hearing that, the king, having performed everything, cast himself into the fire at the time of the final oblation. Then the circle of yoginīs, becoming pleased and giving a new body to the king, says: "O king, choose a boon."