Prithwi Pala's Warning to King Vikram

Gandharba-Sena, the king of Ujjayani, was the son of Indra, the king of the gods. King Vikram, the subject of Burton's book, was the second son of King Gandharba-Sena. King Vikram left the kingdom in the hands of his younger brother, Bhartari Raja, and, along with his second son, Dharma Dhwaj, went to live in the forest. Some time later, Bhartari Raja also retired to the forest.

So Indra sent a giant named Prithwi Pala to guard the city of Ujjayani while the throne remained vacant. One day, King Vikram and his son, Dharma Dhwaj, returned to Ujjayani. Prithwi Pala challenged them to battle but was defeated. Before departing, he warned Vikram that his life was in danger.

"Three men were born in the city of Ujjayani at around the same time. The first was you, King Vikram; the second was an oilman's son; and the third was an anchorite (yogi). The anchorite murdered the oilman's son and hung his body on a mimosa tree in a cemetery.

"Your father, King Gandharba-Sena, once disturbed the anchorite's penance. The anchorite vowed to get back at your father by killing you and your son. Distrust those who dwell among the dead, and remember that it is lawful to behead one who would kill you."

Prithwi Pala then disappeared.