Vikram and the Vampire | Page 7

and propitiatory conge to Ganesha, Lord of Incepts, informs
the reader that this book is a string of fine pearls to be hung round the
neck of human intelligence; a fragrant flower to be borne on the
turband of mental wisdom; a jewel of pure gold, which becomes the
brow of all supreme minds; and a handful of powdered rubies, whose
tonic effects will appear palpably upon the mental digestion of every
patient. Finally, that by aid of the lessons inculcated in the following
pages, man will pass happily through this world into the state of
absorption, where fables will be no longer required.
He then teaches us how Vikramaditya the Brave became King of
Ujjayani.
Some nineteen centuries ago, the renowned city of Ujjayani witnessed
the birth of a prince to whom was given the gigantic name
Vikramaditya. Even the Sanskrit-speaking people, who are not usually
pressed for time, shortened it to "Vikram", and a little further West it
would infallibly have been docked down to "Vik".
Vikram was the second son of an old king Gandharba-Sena, concerning
whom little favourable has reached posterity, except that he became an

ass, married four queens, and had by them six sons, each of whom was
more learned and powerful than the other. It so happened that in course
of time the father died. Thereupon his eldest heir, who was known as
Shank, succeeded to the carpet of Rajaship, and was instantly murdered
by Vikram, his "scorpion", the hero of the following pages.[FN#15]
By this act of vigour and manly decision, which all younger- brother
princes should devoutly imitate, Vikram having obtained the title of Bir,
or the Brave, made himself Raja. He began to rule well, and the gods so
favoured him that day by day his dominions increased. At length he
became lord of all India, and having firmly established his government,
he instituted an era--an uncommon feat for a mere monarch, especially
when hereditary.
The steps,[FN#16] says the historian, which he took to arrive at that
pinnacle of grandeur, were these:
The old King calling his two grandsons Bhartari-hari and Vikramaditya,
gave them good counsel respecting their future learning. They were
told to master everything, a certain way not to succeed in anything.
They were diligently to learn grammar, the Scriptures, and all the
religious sciences. They were to become familiar with military tactics,
international law, and music, the riding of horses and elephants--
especially the latter--the driving of chariots, and the use of the
broadsword, the bow, and the mogdars or Indian clubs. They were
ordered to be skilful in all kinds of games, in leaping and running, in
besieging forts, in forming and breaking bodies of troops; they were to
endeavour to excel in every princely quality, to be cunning in
ascertaining the power of an enemy, how to make war, to perform
journeys, to sit in the presence of the nobles, to separate the different
sides of a question, to form alliances, to distinguish between the
innocent and the guilty, to assign proper punishments to the wicked, to
exercise authority with perfect justice, and to be liberal. The boys were
then sent to school, and were placed under the care of excellent
teachers, where they became truly famous. Whilst under pupilage, the
eldest was allowed all the power necessary to obtain a knowledge of
royal affairs, and he was not invested with the regal office till in these
preparatory steps he had given full satisfaction to his subjects, who
expressed high approval of his conduct.
The two brothers often conversed on the duties of kings, when the great

Vikramaditya gave the great Bhartari-hari the following valuable
advice[FN#17]:
"As Indra, during the four rainy months, fills the earth with water, so a
king should replenish his treasury with money. As Surya the sun, in
warming the earth eight months, does not scorch it, so a king, in
drawing revenues from his people, ought not to oppress them. As Vayu,
the wind, surrounds and fills everything, so the king by his officers and
spies should become acquainted with the affairs and circumstances of
his whole people. As Yama judges men without partiality or prejudice,
and punishes the guilty, so should a king chastise, without favour, all
offenders. As Varuna, the regent of water, binds with his pasha or
divine noose his enemies, so let a king bind every malefactor safely in
prison. As Chandra,[FN#18] the moon, by his cheering light gives
pleasure to all, thus should a king, by gifts and generosity, make his
people happy. And as Prithwi, the earth, sustains all alike, so should a
king feel an equal affection and forbearance towards every one."
Become a monarch, Vikram meditated deeply upon what is said of
monarchs:--"A king is fire and air; he is both sun and moon;