When therefore the ministers and people were all arranged in order of rank, and a great silence had been proclaimed on the shell-trumpets, the King, habited in raiment of state, proceeded to mount the throne.
Ere he had set foot on the lowest step, however, the two figures of sculptured wood that stood upon it, abandoning their guardant attitude, suddenly came forward, and placed themselves before him, as in defiance—the warrior striking him in the breast, while the Sûta addressed him thus:—
“Surely, O Ardschi-Bordschi! it is not in earnest that thou art minded to ascend the steps of this sacred throne?” And all the thirty-two sculptured figures answered together,—
“Halt! O Ardschi-Bordschi!”
But the Sûta proceeded,—
“Knowest thou not, O Ardschi-Bordschi, that this throne in the days of old was the seat of the god Churmusta, and that after him it was given to none to set upon it, till Vikramâditja rose. Wherefore, O Ardschi-Bordschi, approach not to occupy it. Unless thou also art prepared to devote thy days, not to thine own pleasure, but to the service of the six classes of living beings[5], renounce the attempt to set foot on it.” And all the thirty-two sculptured figures answered together,—
“Halt! O Ardschi-Bordschi!”
But the Sûta proceeded,—
“Art thou such a king as the great Vikramâditja? then come and sit upon his throne; but if not, then desist from the attempt.” And all the thirty-two sculptured figures answered together,—
“Halt! O Ardschi-Bordschi!”