Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

Simhasanadvatrimshika 26

English (machine translation) 26

Language
English

26.p1

When the king was about to sit upon the throne again, another statuette said: 'O king, he alone is fit to sit upon this throne who possesses the qualities such as generosity belonging to Vikrama.' The king said: 'O statuette, tell the account of his generosity.' She said: 'O king, listen: there is no king equal to Vikramāditya in qualities such as courage, generosity, compassion, discernment, and fortitude. Moreover: what has been spoken he does not alter; what is in his mind, that alone he speaks; what comes from his words, that alone he performs. Therefore he is a good man. And it is said:

26.1

As is the mind, so is speech; as is speech, so is action; / in mind, speech, and action the virtuous possess a single nature. || 1

26.2

To do good, to speak pleasantly, and to show incomparable affection / is the nature of good men; by whom was the moon made cool? || 2

26.p2

Once upon a time, Indra was seated upon his throne in the city of the immortals. In his assembly sat a host of eighty-eight thousand sages, the thirty-three crores of deities were seated, the eight world-guardians, the forty-nine Marut hosts, the twelve Ādityas and the Moon, Nārada and Tumburu, and celestial maidens—celestial women such as Urvaśī, Rambhā, Menakā, Tilottamā, Miśrakeśī, Ghṛtācī, Mañjughoṣā, and Priyadarśanā—were seated, and the entire host of Gandharvas was seated. At that moment Nārada said: 'On the circle of the earth, there is no king possessed of great courage, renowned, and devoted to benevolence towards others, equal to Vikrama.' Hearing that statement, the entire assembly of gods was filled with utter astonishment. The wish-granting cow Kāmadhenu also said: 'What doubt is there in this? Nor is there any need for astonishment. And it is said:

26.3

In giving, in asceticism, in valor, in knowledge, in modesty, and in worldly wisdom / no astonishment should indeed be felt, for the earth holds many gems. || 3

26.p3

And likewise:

26.4

Between horses, elephants, and metals, between woods, stones, and garments, / and between women, men, and waters, there is a great difference. || 4

26.p4

After that, Surabhi was told by Indra: 'Go to the mortal world, ascertain Vikrama's qualities such as compassion and benevolence towards others, and report back to me.' Then Surabhi, assuming the form of an extremely feeble cow, went to the mortal world, and as Vikramārka was coming along the path, she sank herself into a mud-pit impassable to cross and, seeing the king, made a distressed cry. The king too came near her, and when he looked, she was sunk in the narrow, impassable mud. A tiger was crouching nearby. The king tried to raise the cow, but she did not get up. The sun also set. During the night, rain began to fall. Protecting that helpless cow, he remained right there. Then the sunrise took place. The cow, having observed the king's qualities such as compassion and fortitude, rose up of her own accord and said to the king: 'O king, I am Surabhi, the divine cow, who came from heaven to inspect your qualities such as compassion. The proof has now been witnessed; there is no king on the earth's surface equal to you in devotion to compassion. I am pleased; choose a boon.' The king said: 'By your grace, there is no lack in me; what should I ask for?' She said: 'How could my word prove fruitless? Then I shall remain right near you'; and she departed with the king. Then, as the king was going along the royal highway with her, a certain brahmin approached and,

26.5

delivering the blessing: 'During the wild dance of the Trident-Wielder, while the king of serpents, with his hood coiling in fright, enters the aperture of the tip of your trunk—the serpent having been summoned by the peacock belonging to Kumāra, itself called by the sound of the clay-drum struck joyfully by Nandi's hand— / and while the swarm of bees flying up from your temples makes the quarters resound, may the trumpet-sounding shakes of the Vināyaka face long protect you all!' || 5

26.p5

having uttered this blessing, said: 'O king, I have been turned into an adept by poverty: just as [an adept invisibly sees], I see all people, but no one sees me. And it is said:

26.6

“Obeisance to you, Poverty! Through your favor I have attained perfection,
For by you I see the world, while no one sees me.”

26.p6

“For the man who is stamped by poverty, impurity [from childbirth] is always in his house. ‘Give a morsel to me, a traveler, fair lady!’ ‘Alas, alas, your words are futile.’ ‘Why? Tell me.’ ‘Friend, there is impurity from childbirth here.’ ‘Is there no time limit?’ ‘It lasts for a lifetime; there is no other birth [status]; this is due to the power of a son.’

26.7

‘Who was born to steal all my wealth?’ ‘A son named Poverty.’”

26.p7

The king said, “Brahmin, what do you ask for?” The brahmin said, “O King, you are a wish-fulfilling tree to those who seek refuge; let it be arranged so that the end of my poverty lasts for my lifetime.” The king said, “Then this wish-granting cow will grant your desire; take her.” Thus he gave him the wish-granting cow. Taking the wish-granting cow, the brahmin went to his own place as if he had attained the bliss of heaven. The king also went to his own city. Having told this story, the statuette said to King Bhoja, “O King, if such generosity is found in you, then sit on this throne.” Having heard that, the king fell silent. Thus ends the twenty-sixth tale.

Translations (1)

Linked texts (1)