650 Account of the Ruins and Site of [Aug. 



such are the absurdities and inconsistencies which mark these tradi- 

 tions, that it is difficult to know which is the most popular fable, 

 since you can seldom hear the same story from two different persons : 

 however this of Vikramajit is the best authenticated I have yet 

 found on the subject. 



Legend of ViRjr the Son of Vikramajit, whose father was trans- 

 formed into a donkey. 

 The legend opens with Indra, who is represented as amusing him- 

 self in the courts of paradise with the matching of four Apsaras 

 (heavenly nymphs), his son Vikram being present at the entertain- 

 ment, — one of the damsels was so surpassingly beautiful that she 

 attracted the attention and as the sequel shews excited the admira- 

 tion of the son, who after gazing for some time threw a small peb- 

 ble at her as a token of his passion, and a hint not to be misunder- 

 stood. The pebble striking the nymph occasioned a slight deviation in 

 her movements which Indra observed, and ascertaining the cause 

 was greatly incensed that his son should in his presence be guilty of 

 so great a breach of decorum ; he determined to inflict summary and 

 severe punishment, so turning to his son he said, " Your conduct is 

 unbecoming and disrespectful, the action of which you have been 

 guilty in giving reins to the fierceness of your desire is more consis- 

 tent with the properties of an ass than one of godlike origin ; hear 

 then the curse I denounce upon you — quit these realms and visit the 

 earth in the form of an ass ; there and in that degraded form to re- 

 main until the skin of the animal whose form you take shall be burnt, 

 then you are released but not till then." Short time was allowed 

 Vikram to prepare for his journey, he was at once precipitated to 

 earth and alighted close to a potter who was employed in his vocation 

 near the then populous and important city of Raepur {Old Mandavi). 

 The potter amazed at this sudden accession to his wealth, after some 

 time put the son of Indra into his stables with his other beasts ; but 

 the first night the donkey speaking to the potter said, " go into 

 the neighbouring city and demand the king's daughter for me in mar- 

 riage." This miracle astonished the potter, but he obeyed the injunc- 

 tion, and proceeding to the kotwal of the city, communicated what 

 had occurred. The kotwal disbelieving the story went to the potter's 

 house to ascertain the fact ; he heard the same words repeated and 

 told the minister, who also having satisfied himself of the truth of 

 the report, devised some means to acquaint the king ; he in his turn 

 heard the donkey speak, and wishing to avoid so very unpleasant 

 a connection for his daughter said to the potter, If you will in one 



