When the king came forward once again to mount the throne, a statuette spoke out as before to restrain him: ‘Pay attention! I will tell you a story.
‘King Vikramaditya was a sovereign of impeccable valour and nobility. He had conquered all his foes. Once he placed the burden of government on his ministers and himself set out to travel abroad in the guise of a yogi. For,
To see various kinds of marvels,
to gain knowledge of the differences
between good and wicked people,
and to understand one self:
these are the reasons for travel.
‘The king would stop for some days wherever it pleased him, and also spend time where there were marvels to see. As he travelled thus, one evening the sun set while he was in a great forest, and he sat down for shelter under a tree.
‘At the top of the tree lived an aged king of the birds named Chiranjīvī. His sons and grandsons would go out every day in the morning to feed themselves, and return in the evening, each one bringing a fruit for the old patriarch. It is well said,
An old father or mother,
a faithful wife, and an infant son
must be looked after, says Manu,
even if they do a hundred things wrong.
‘From under the tree, the king listened to Chiranjīvī as, sitting at ease, the latter asked the other birds: “Children, what strange things did you see while wandering in various lands?” One bird replied: “I did not see anything extraordinary, but there is a great sorrow in my heart today.” “Then tell us why you are sad,” said Chiranjīvī. “How will just telling help?” asked the bird, to which the ancient replied: “My son, one who is sad can find relief by talking about his sorrow to a friend. It is said,
One can find relief by telling one’s sorrow
to a steadfast friend, a virtuous servant,
a sympathetic wife, and a congenial master.”
‘On hearing these words, the younger bird explained his grief: “Listen, father. There is a mountain called Śaivāla Ghosha in the northern country. Near it is the town of Palāśa. An ogre living on that mountain would come every day to the town, seize any man he chanced upon and take him back to devour him. Eventually the people of the town told the ogre: “O Bakāsura, do not be willful and eat just anyone who comes your way. We will give you one person everyday for your food.” Much time has passed since then, and they surrender to him daily one man from each household in turn. Today a friend of mine is marked to be the ogre’s diet, and this is the reason for the sorrow in my heart. I grieve because I can do nothing to prevent it.”
‘To the question “How did you become friends with a human?” the bird answered at length. “Being unable to help, how can I say this without feeling ashamed? Still, since you insist, I will tell you, unlucky though I am. Once a wicked birdcatcher had stretched out a sturdy net across a gully. It was my luck to be caught in it like a fool while I moved about above the water with my companions in search for food. Shortly afterwards a young brahmin came there to gather firewood and saw me. He felt sorry for me, and stood still for a moment, collecting himself. Then the good man came to me quickly and, full of compassion, cut the net and saved me and my companions. Thanks to him I am now alive. There were about twenty meshes in the net, and on my own I had not cut through more than five. Such a benefactor is like a breath of life for me, and I am a wretch who can only feel sorry that he is to be devoured by the ogre today.”
‘After listening to the birds, the king went to the town of Palāśa. There, in the evening, he saw the man who had come according to his turn. He had given his final instructions to his family, and was sitting on the rock in front of the ogre’s abode, his face miserable with the fear of death. “You there!” cried the noble Vikrama, “go away! I am here in your place today.” “Who are you?” the man replied, “why do you want to die?” “What is it to you, who I am?” the king said with compassion. “Just go!” And the man departed, acknowledging the king’s goodness.’
‘The king then inspected the killing rock and, having bathed in a nearby lake, came and sat down on the stone. The ogre arrived at the same time. Astonished to see Vikrama sitting there benignly, he said: “From where have you come, great hero? Those who sit daily on this rock are dead with fright even before I arrive. But you seem to have tremendous fortitude. You are smiling. What is more, a man’s faculties droop and decline when he is about to die, but you are radiant and beaming. So tell me who you are, sir?”’
“‘Ogre,” said the king, “what do you have to do with such considerations? Do your own business. Take your food. For,
People tremble before death, mostly
because they have not done their duties.
Those who have done what they should
await the arrival of death
like that of a friend.”
“‘This is a good man,” the ogre said to himself, “he grieves in the grief of others, setting aside his own wishes for pleasure and enjoyment. It is said:
The good wish for the happiness of all.
They grieve deeply in the grief
of others, abandoning their own
desires for pleasure and enjoyment.
“‘Great one,” he said to the king, “in giving it up for others, your life itself is worthy of praise. For,
Animals too live just to fill their bellies.
That life alone is praiseworthy,
which is lived for others.
“‘Great hero,” the ogre continued, addressing the king. “I am pleased with you. Choose a boon.” The king then replied: “If you are happy with me, ogre, then give up eating humans from today. Furthermore, listen to my advice. Thus,
Just as life is dear to oneself,
so it is to all creatures.
Therefore the wise should protect
all living beings from the fear of death.
Similarly,
In this dread ocean of the worldly round,
people are forever tormented by the
sorrow of birth, old age and death;
for they are afraid of dying.
“‘Moreover,
Just as you love your own life,
so do others love theirs.
Just as you guard your own life,
do the same for the lives of others.”
‘Instructed by the king, the ogre gave up killing creatures from that time. And, unnoticed by anyone, King Vikramaditya returned to his own Ujjayini.’
After recounting this story, the statuette told King Bhoja: ‘Majesty, if you have such qualities of magnanimity and doing good to others, then sit upon this throne,’ But the king stayed silent.