This obliged Shantil to seek for a man with sufficient nerve and resolution to go alone to the cemetery at night, cut down the body which contained the Vetâl into which his pupil had entered, and bring corpse and Vetâl to an appointed shrine, at which he would await them. The man of dauntless courage and resolution was found in King Vikrama. Now, we do not know which Vikrama is meant, he of Ougein, A.D. 65, or Harsha Vikrama, of A.D. 500, but it does not signify, but the city is called Dhara, to the south of the river Godavery. In Hindu poetry and fiction Vikrama continually figures as the representative of victorious courage. In this work he is described as handsome as the god of love, a devotee in religious worship, deferential to priests, hermits, and persons who disgusted with worldliness and contumely of relatives, had given themselves up to think of God. He was skilled in sacred sciences; warlike, though merciful; a cherisher of the poor, and a comforter of his subjects; whom he loved as if they were his children. The palace of King Vikrama was large and magnificent. It contained the most splendid and costly articles: it was constantly sprinkled with aloes water, and every article of furniture was adorned by precious stones. One day whilst Vikrama sat as usual on his throne, Shantil, the Yogin, presented himself, and so holy did he appear that the king received him with the utmost reverence, and coming down from his throne entreated his guest to take his seat. He then stood with clasped hands and paid him adoration. Shantil presented an artificial fruit which he had brought, gave the benediction and went away. For several successive days the same thing was repeated, until on one occasion the king happened to drop the fruit which had been presented to him, a pet monkey broke it open, and a splendid ruby was seen within. Thereupon the king desired to have all the other fruits which the holy man had presented, brought into his presence, and each fruit, when opened was found to contain rubies. The jewels were of the utmost rarity. Indeed, the smallest were of such value, that the largest could only be considered as beyond all price. ‘Hermit,’ said the king, ‘with what intention didst thou present me with such treasures; hast thou anything to ask of me?’ Shantil did not at once acknowledge what it was he wanted, but gradually revealed that he was engaged in rites for obtaining superhuman faculties, and that for their completion he required the personal assistance of the king. He had travelled over the greater part of the world, he said, vainly seeking such a person as would suit his enterprise. ‘At length,’ he continued, ‘I came to your court, and have found in your Majesty the physiognomy of a person fitted to act as assistant in the intended sacrifice.’ The king did not give him time to say more, but eagerly promised to do whatever was required.