Part 2 (1/2)

I described your G.o.dlike presence--but the maid with beauteous face Chooses me, bereft of reason--O most excellent of G.o.ds!

Thus she spake, that maiden princess,--”Let the G.o.ds together come, Come with thee, Oh king of mortals,--where the Swayembara meets; There will I, before their presence--choose thee, raja, for my lord.

So to thee, O strong armed warrior--may no blame, no fault ensue.”

Thus it was, even as I tell you--word for word did it befall.

Plainly have I spoke, the judgment--rests with you, of G.o.ds the chief!

BOOK V.

Came the day of happy omen[42]--moonday meet, and moment apt; Bhima to the Swayembara--summoned all the lords of earth.

One and all, upon the instant--rose th' enamoured lords of earth, Suitors all to Damayanti--in their loving haste they came.

They, the court with golden columns[43]--rich, and glittering portal arch, Like the lions on the mountains--entered they the hall of state.

There the lords of earth were seated--each upon his several throne; All their fragrant garlands wearing--all with pendant ear-gems rich.

Arms were seen robust and vigorous--as the ponderous battle mace, Some like the five-headed serpents--delicate in shape and hue:[44]

With bright locks profuse and flowing--fine formed nose, and eye and brow, Shone the faces of the rajas--like the radiant stars in heaven.

As with serpents, Bhogavati[45]--the wide hall was full of kings; As the mountain caves with tigers--with the tiger-warriors full.

Damayanti in her beauty--entered on that stately scene, With her dazzling light entrancing--every eye and every soul.

O'er her lovely person gliding--all the eyes of those proud kings; There were fixed, there moveless rested--as they gazed upon the maid.

Then as they proclaimed the rajas--(by his name was each proclaimed) In dismay saw Bhima's daughter--five in garb, in form the same.

On those forms, all undistinguished--each from each, she stood and gazed.

In her doubt Vidarbha's princess--Nala's form might not discern,[46]

Whichsoe'er the form she gazed on--him her Nala, him she thought.

She within her secret spirit--deeply pondering, stood and thought: ”How shall I the G.o.ds distinguish?--royal Nala how discern?”

Pondering thus Vidarbha's maiden--in the anguish of her heart-- Th' attributes of the immortals--sought, as heard of yore, to see.

”Th' attributes of each celestial--that our aged sires describe, As on earth they stand before me--not of one may I discern.”

Long she pondered in her silence--and again, again she thought.

To the G.o.ds, her only refuge--turned she at this trying hour.

With her voice and with her spirit--she her humble homage paid.

Folding both her hands and trembling--to the G.o.ds the maiden spake: ”As when heard the swan's sweet language--chose I then Nishadha's king, By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye G.o.ds, reveal my lord; As in word or thought I swerve not--from my faith, all-knowing powers, By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye G.o.ds, reveal my lord.

As the G.o.ds themselves have destined--for my lord Nishadha's king; By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye G.o.ds, my lord reveal.

As my vow, so pledged to Nala--holily must be maintained, By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye G.o.ds, my lord reveal.

Each the form divine a.s.sume ye--earth's protectors, mighty lords; So shall I discern my Nala--I shall know the king of men.”

As they heard sad Damayanti--uttering thus her piteous prayer, At her high resolve they wonder--steadfast truth and fervent love, Holiness of soul, and wisdom--to her lord her constant faith.

As she prayed, the G.o.ds obedient--stood with attributes revealed: With unmoistened skins the Immortals--saw she, and with moveless eyes;[47]

Fresh their dust-unsullied garlands--hovered they, nor touched the earth.

On his shadow garland-drooping[48]--soiled with dust and moist with sweat, On the earth Nishadha's monarch--stood confessed, with twinkling eyes; On the G.o.ds an instant gazed she--then upon the king of men; And of right king Bhima's daughter--named Nishadha's king her lord.

Modestly the large-eyed maiden--lifted up his garment's hem, Round his shoulders threw she lightly--the bright zone of radiant flowers; So she chose him for her husband--Nala, that high-hearted maid.

Then alas! alas! burst wildly,--from that conclave of the kings, And ”well done, well done,” as loudly--from the G.o.ds and sages broke; All in their extatic wonder--glorified Nishadha's king.

Then to royal Damayanti--Virasena's kingly son, To that slender waisted damsel--spake he comfort in his joy; ”Since thou'st own'd me for thine husband--in the presence of the G.o.ds, For thy faithful consort know me--aye delighting in thy words.

While this spirit fills this body--maiden with the smile serene!

Thine am I, so long thine only--this the solemn truth I vow.”

Thus he gladdened Damayanti--with the a.s.surance of his faith; And the happy pair devoutly[49]--wors.h.i.+pped then the present G.o.ds.

Chosen thus Nishadha's monarch--the bright guardians of the world, In their gladness all on Nala--eight transcendant gifts bestowed; To discern the visible G.o.dhead--in the sacrifice, a gait Firm and n.o.ble, Sachi's husband--Indra to king Nala gave.

Agni gave his own bright presence[50]--whensoe'er the monarch called.

All the worlds instinct with splendour--through his power Hutasa gave.