Simhasanadvatrimshika f4: Frame-story IV: Death of Vikrama and hiding of the throne

Thereafter, when many years had passed, Śālivāhana was born to a young maiden in the city of Pratiṣṭhāna from the serpent king Śeṣa. In Ujjayinī, portents such as an earthquake, comets, and the blazing of the quarters were seen by the king and the people. Then Vikramāditya summoned the astrologers and asked: “O astrologers, why do these portents occur every day? What is their fruit? Whose misfortune do they foretell?” They said: “Sire, this earthquake occurred at the twilight hour; therefore, it indicates misfortune for the king. And so it is said in the Nāradīya:

‘An earthquake brings misfortune to kings during the two twilights; / and the blazing of the quarters, because of its yellow colour, brings great misfortune to kings.’

And so it is said in the Nāradīya:

‘A comet is proclaimed as a sign foreboding the destruction of kings; / the blazing of the quarters, if yellow-coloured, causes fear to lords of the earth.’

Hearing these words of the astrologers, the king said: “O astrologers, formerly the Lord was propitiated by me with austerities and said: ‘O King, I am pleased; choose immortality by way of an exception.’ Then I said: ‘O Lord, when a son shall be born to a maiden two and a half years old, let my death come from him, not from another.’ The Lord said, ‘So be it.’ Then whence could such a one exist?” The astrologers also said: “O Sire, the creation of fate is inscrutable; such a one must have been born in some country; and indeed it is seen [by the omens].” Then the king summoned a vetāla, informed him of all this, and said: “O yakṣa, wander everywhere throughout the earth, ascertain in what country and in what city such a one has been born, mark the place, and return swiftly.” Then the vetāla, saying “As your Majesty commands,” took the betel roll, inspected the continents such as Kuśadvīpa, came to Jambudvīpa, entered the city of Pratiṣṭhāna, and seeing a young boy and a young maiden playing with each other in a potter's house, asked: “Ah, what are you two to one another?” Then the maiden said: “He is my son.” The vetāla said: “Who is your father?” She pointed out a certain brahmin. Then he asked the brahmin; the brahmin said: “She is my maiden daughter, and this is her son.” Hearing that, the vetāla was astonished and asked the brahmin again: “O brahmin, how is this?” He said: “The deeds of the gods are beyond perception. Infatuated by her surpassing beauty and loveliness, the serpent king Śeṣa united with her. From him this son, Śālivāhana, was born to her.”

Hearing that, the vetāla quickly went to Ujjayinī and told Vikramāditya the whole account. The king also gave him a reward, took his sword, and went to the city of Pratiṣṭhāna. Just as he set about to slay Śālivāhana with his sword, he was struck by him with a staff. Thrown from the city of Pratiṣṭhāna back to Ujjayinī, unable to endure the agony of his wound, he abandoned his body. All the wives of that king began preparations to enter the fire. Then the ministers reflected: “This king is without a son; what is to be done?” Bhaṭṭi said: “Let it be examined whether any of these women is pregnant.” Then, upon examination, a certain woman turned out to be seven months pregnant. Then all the ministers assembled and performed the consecration of the fetus. The ministers themselves set about governing the kingdom. That throne given by Indra remained vacant just as it was. Then one day, an incorporeal voice spoke in the assembly: “O ministers, there is no such king fit to sit upon this throne. Therefore, let this throne be buried in an auspicious field.” Hearing that, all the ministers buried that throne in an exceedingly holy field.