Salutation to the great Ganeśa1,
remover of dark obstacles,
whose gaze is tender
with limitless compassion.
Having done reverence
to Vishnu the Primal Being,
Brahmā the Lotus-Born,
Śiva the Lord of Umā,
and the blessed Sarasvati,2
I write of the deeds of Vikramaditya.
Once Parameśvara, the Supreme Lord, was seated on the peak of Mount Kailāsa. Jagadambikā, the Mother of the World, bowed to him and said: ‘Behold,
The wise pass their time in the pleasures
of literature and the sciences.
Others, who are fools, spend it
in sleeping or quarrelling.3
To pass the time in keeping with this maxim, tell a tale which will fill every mind with wonder.’
‘Listen, my beloved,’ Parameśvara replied, ‘I will tell a tale which will entrance every heart.
‘Once upon a time thirty-two most marvellous tales were recounted before the estimable King Bhoja, a repository of the most excellent royal glory. Related by the thirty-two statuettes supporting a throne of moonstone gems built by some god, these tales extolled the virtues of the noble Vikramaditya. Now, those who wish to know may ask: “Whose throne was it? By whom and to whom was it given? How did Bhoja obtain it? What are these stories?” So, listen to one who will explain all this.’