Once again the cultivated voice of a statuette rang out as King Bhoja came forward to ascend the throne: ‘O King, this is his throne! Sit upon it if you can manifest the heroism, the generosity and the fortitude which he had.’ And when the king eagerly asked her to tell him a story, she recounted one of the deeds of Vikramaditya.
‘There was never a king like Vikramaditya for qualities such as heroism, magnanimity, compassion, discrimination and fortitude,’ the statuette said. ‘What is more, he did what he said. And he said what was in his heart. Whatever followed from his words, he would do. For he was a good man. It is said,
As they think, so they speak.
As they speak, so they do.
In good men there is uniformity
in their thought, speech and action.
To help, to speak kindly, and to have
great affection is in the nature
of good men. Does anyone
have to make the moon cool?
‘Once Indra sat upon his throne in the city of the immortal gods. He was attended by many divine princes and sages, and countless categories of deities; by his minister, the moon god; and by Viśvavasu and other chiefs of the demigods. Also present were the celestial nymphs Ghritāchī, Menakā, Rambhā, Sahajanyā, Tilottamā, Urvaśī and Sukeśī, together with Priyadarśanā; the eight Magic Powers and the presiding deities of the eight directions. All of them had come to pay homage at great Indra’s noble feet.
‘In the course of a discussion in that great assembly, the sage Nārada and others who stood there praised men of merit. “No king can surpass Vikramaditya in virtue,” Nārada said to Indra. “Endowed with nobility and courage, possessed of magnanimity and fortitude, he alone protects the people of the world, his valour unstained.” Indra marvelled at these words. Seeing Surabhi, the heavenly cow which grants wishes, nearby, he told her to go and find out about the virtues of Vikramaditya.
‘On receiving great Indra’s commandment, Surabhi proceeded to the earth and fell into a nasty pit where she floundered like a common cow. At that time the king was on his way back to the city after touring the provinces in disguise. He heard the distressed bovine cries and wondered: “From where comes this cry, like that of a cow, in this forest full of carnivorous beasts? I must look into this.” And getting to that place, he saw a miserable cow with eyes streaming tears, feebly trying to climb out of the pit into which she had fallen.
‘The king was filled with compassion. “No one is as foolish,” he said to himself, “as one who has the power, but does not do his master’s work or help a friend in trouble; or rescue the helpless, keep his word, grant favours sought, and help others.” Thinking thus, the hero caught hold of the cow’s tail at the root. But he could not pull her out as she was too heavy.
‘Meanwhile the sun set and at night it began to rain. Despite this, the king stayed there, guarding the helpless cow. He covered her with his own garments, and himself remained naked. In the morning he made another strong effort to extricate her, but she would not move. At this moment a great tiger burst upon them with a loud roar, its tail bolt upright like a staff and its limbs contracted for a spring.
‘Seeing this ferocious beast draw near, the king fearlessly came between it and the cow whose eyes rolled in terror. Within moments, the hungry tiger raised its feet and leapt with gaping jaws upon the cow, falling on her like a mountain. With a terrible roar it also dealt the king a thunderous blow with its sharp-nailed paw. The blow was hard to bear, but the king withstood it and struck the predator with his sword, which flashed like lightning. Thus he warded off the furious attacks of the tiger as it tried to get at the cow.
‘The cow had observed the king’s compassion, resoluteness and other qualities. She now got up by herself and said: “O King, I am Surabhi, the wish-fulfilling cow. I came from heaven to investigate your compassion and other virtues. Their proof I have now seen. There is no king on earth as compassionate as you. I am very pleased. Choose a boon.”
“‘By your grace, I lack nothing,” replied the king. “What can I ask for?” The cow was amazed at his selfless and steadfast words. “I am yours,” she said simply, and the king proceeded with her to his capital.
‘As he travelled with the cow on the highway, a brahmin came up and offered a benediction. “O King,’ he said, “poverty has made me a magician. For I can see everyone, but no one at all sees me. It is said,
Poverty, I salute you. Through
your grace I have become a magician.
For I can see the world, but none see me.”
“‘What are you asking for, brahmin?” said the King. “O King,” the brahmin replied, “Your Majesty is a wishing tree for supplicants. Do whatever will remove my poverty for as long as I live.” “Then this wish-fulfilling cow will grant your desires,” the king said. “Take her.” And he gave him the cow.
‘The brahmin took the cow and went home, feeling as if he had gained the joys of paradise. The king returned to his capital. And Surabhi the cow returned to heaven after giving the brahmin all that he wished for.
‘If there is anyone greater than Vikramaditya in acts of such marvellous generosity, then name him, King Bhoja!’ the statuette concluded. ‘Anyone else is unworthy of this throne of Indra. So cease to hanker for it, King Bhoja, and be content.’