[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Epic, Poetry, Drama & Narrative](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit) › [Story collections and fables](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories) › [Siṃhāsanadvātriṃśikā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt) › 29 # Simhasanadvatrimshika 29 English (machine translation) 29 - **Language:** English ### [29.p1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.p1) Once again, as the king was about to sit upon the throne, another statuette said: "O king, only one who possesses generosity and the other virtues of Vikrama is worthy to sit upon this throne, no other." King Bhoja said: "O statuette, tell the story of his generosity and other virtues." She said: "Hear, O king! Once King Vikramārka was seated in the assembly hall, attended by prince-vassals. Then a certain bard, having approached, \[said\]: 'As long as the sacred-watered Gaṅgā, the heavenly river, carries rippling waves, ### [29.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.1) As long as the sun, the maker of day, the world-guardian, burns as he travels upon the path of the sky, / As long as the peak of Mount Meru made of diamond, sapphire, and crystal endures, / So long, O protector of men, surrounded by your kinsmen, enjoy the kingdom with your sons and grandsons!' || 1 ### [29.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.2) Having uttered this blessing, he praised the king: "O king: / As a peacock afflicted by the summer heat runs toward a raincloud, / Or a thirsty person seeks water, even so I seek your sight. || 2 ### [29.p2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.p2) I am a dweller near Himavat, yet having heard of your fame, I have come from afar. The earth with its seven oceans is adorned by your fame. For indeed: ### [29.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.3) Whiter even than camphor, than the white water-lily, than the opening kunda-blossom, / Than the surging billows of the heavenly river, than the ketaka-flower, than the glance from the corner of an attractive woman's moving eyes, / And whiter even than the crescent moon upon Śiva's head, entirely free of spots, / The earth with its seven oceans is whitened by your white glories. || 3 ### [29.p3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.p3) O king, you are a wishing tree to supplicants. Today I am freed from poverty. Furthermore, on this occasion a \[certain\] king is to be remembered: just as you, ruling here, make all supplicants equal to yourself, even so in the northern direction, in the northeastern region of Himavat, in the city of Jambīra, a king named Dhaneśvara dispels the misery of supplicants' poverty and turns them into lords of wealth. Once, on the seventh day of the bright half of Māgha, that Dhaneśvara performed a spring festival. All manner of suppliants residing in foreign lands arrived. On that occasion, eighteen crores of gold were given by that king for charity. Thus that king was pre-eminent in the virtue of generosity. In this region, you alone have been seen by me." Hearing his speech, the king summoned his treasurer and said: "O treasurer, take this bard to the treasury and show him the priceless gems. Then, however many gems he will take, let him take that many." Thereupon the treasurer, having led him to the treasury, showed him many divine gems. The bard too, having taken his desired gems, with his wish fulfilled, came near the king and said: "O king, by your grace I have become a lord of wealth. Even the nine treasures have fallen into my hand. Now, even Hiraṇyagarbha and the others do not possess \[the virtues\] beyond your likeness, because they have incurred faults such as great defeat. You, moreover, are exceedingly radiant at all times. Therefore, they are no match for you. ### [29.p4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.p4) For indeed: ### [29.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.4) Śiva has received a half-moon \[also: a blow to the neck\], and Viṣṇu's valour was made fearful by Kaṃsa \[also: made of feigned fear\], / Even Brahmā is born from a navel \[also: not of noble birth\]—with whom, O king, shall we compare your majesty? || 4 ### [29.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.5) The Creator is afflicted by torment \[also: occupied with the Vedas\], Govinda carries a mace \[also: has disease\], / The auspicious Śūlin bears poison \[also: is despondent\]—with whom may we compare your majesty? || 5 ### [29.p5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29.p5) Having praised him thus and given the blessing, "May you live as long as Brahmā," he went to his own place. Having told this story, the statuette said to King Bhoja: "O king, if such generosity exists in you, then sit upon this throne." The king fell silent. Thus ends the twenty-ninth tale. ## Translations (1) - [Vikrama's Adventures, or The Thirty-two Tales of the Throne](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-edgerton.29.p3) — Franklin Edgerton 1926, English ## Linked texts (1) - [Siṃhāsanadvātriṃśikā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana.29.p1) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana~en-mt.29) · Pramāṇa