KING.—Never fear; you shall keep close to me for protection.
MÁTHAVYA.—Well, you must be my guardian-angel, and act the part of a very Vishnu[[37]] to me.
WARDER—[entering].—Sire, the chariot is ready, and only waits to conduct you to victory. But here is a messenger named Karabhaka, just arrived from your capital, with a message from the Queen, your mother.
KING—[respectfully].—How say you? a messenger from the venerable Queen?
WARDER.—Even so.
KING.—Introduce him at once.
WARDER.—I will, Sire. [Goes out, and re-ënters with Karabhaka.] Behold the King! Approach.
KARABHAKA.—Victory to the King! The Queen-mother bids me say that in four days from the present time she intends celebrating a solemn ceremony for the advancement and preservation of her son. She expects that your Majesty will honor her with your presence on that occasion.
KING.—This places me in a dilemma. Here, on the one hand, is the commission of these holy men to be executed; and, on the other, the command of my revered parent to be obeyed. Both duties are too sacred to be neglected. What is to be done?
MÁTHAVYA.—You will have to take up an intermediate position between the two, like King Triśanku, who was suspended between heaven and earth, because the sage Viśwámitra commanded him to mount up to heaven, and the gods ordered him down again.