Part 11 (1/2)

Over all the earth the heralds--travel by the kings command, 'Now the daughter of king Bhima--will a second husband choose, 'Free from every tie, as wills she--as her fancy may beseem,'

Hearing this, came hither speeding--king Bhangasuri in haste.”

Damayanti, when from Nala--heard she this his grievous charge, With her folded hands, and trembling--thus to Nala made reply: ”Do not me, O n.o.ble-minded--of such shameless guilt suspect, Thou, when I the G.o.ds rejected--Nala, wert my chosen lord.

Only thee to find, the Brahmins--went to the ten regions forth, Chaunting to their holy measures--but the words that I had taught.

Then that Brahmin wise, Parnada--such the name he bears, O king, Thee in Kosala, the palace--of king Rituparna saw.

There to thee, my words addressed he--answer there from thee received.

I this subtle wile imagined--king of men, to bring thee here.

Since, beside thyself, no mortal--in the world, within the day, Could drive on the fleetest coursers--for a hundred Yojanas.

To attest this truth, O monarch!--thus I touch thy sacred feet; Even in heart have I committed--never evil thought 'gainst thee.

He through all the world that wanders--witness the all-seeing wind,[135]

Let him now of life bereave me--if in this 'gainst thee I've sinned: And the sun that moveth ever--over all the world, on high, Let him now of life bereave me--if in this 'gainst thee I've sinned.

Witness, too, the moon that permeates--every being's inmost thought; Let her too of life bereave me--if in this 'gainst thee I've sinned.

These three G.o.ds are they that govern--these three worlds, so let them speak; This my sacred truth attest they--or this day abandon me.”

Thus adjured, a solemn witness--spake the wind from out the air; ”She hath done or thought no evil--Nala, 'tis the truth we speak: King, the treasure of her virtue--well hath Damayanti kept, We ourselves have seen and watched her--closely for three livelong years.

This her subtle wile she plotted--only for thy absent sake, For beside thyself no mortal--might a hundred Yojanas drive.

Thou hast met with Bhima's daughter--Bhima's daughter meets with thee, Cast away all jealous scruple--to thy bosom take thy wife.”

Even as thus the wind was speaking--flowers fell showering all around:[136]

And the G.o.ds sweet music sounded--on the zephyr floating light.

As on this surpa.s.sing wonder--royal Nala stood and gazed, Of the blameless Damayanti--melted all his jealous doubts.

Then by dust all undefiled--he the heavenly vest put on, Thought upon the King of Serpents--and his proper form resumed.

In his own proud form her husband--Bhima's royal daughter saw, Loud she shrieked, the undespised--and embraced the king of men.

Bhima's daughter, too, king Nala--s.h.i.+ning glorious as of old, Clasped unto his heart, and fondled--gently that sweet infant pair.

Then her face upon his bosom--as the lovely princess laid, In her calm and gentle sorrow--softly sighed the long-eyed queen: He, that form still mire-defiled--as he clasped with smile serene, Long the king of men stood silent--in the ecstacy of woe.

All the tale of Damayanti--and of Nala all the tale, To king Bhima in her transport--told Vidarbha's mother-queen.

Then replied that mighty monarch--”Nala, his ablutions done, Thus rejoined to Damayanti--I to-morrow will behold.”

VRIHADASVA _spake_.

They the livelong night together--slow related, each to each, All their wanderings in the forest--and each wild adventure strange.

In king Bhima's royal palace--studying each the other's bliss, With glad hearts, Vidarbha's princess--and the kingly Nala dwelt.

In their fourth year of divorcement--reunited to his wife, Richly fraught with every blessing--at the height of joy he stood.

Damayanti too re-wedded--still increasing in her bliss, Like as the glad earth to water--opens its half-budding fruits, She of weariness unconscious,--soothed each grief, and full each joy, Every wish fulfilled, shone brightly--as the night, when high the moon.

BOOK XXV.

When that night was pa.s.sed and over--Nala, that high-gifted king, Wedded to Vidarbha's daughter--in fit hour her sire beheld.

Humbly Nala paid his homage--to the father of his queen, Reverently did Damayanti--pay her homage to her sire.

Him received the royal Bhima--as his son, with highest joy, Honoured, as became him, n.o.bly:--then consoled that monarch wise Damayanti, to king Nala--reconciled, the faithful wife.

Royal Nala, all these honours--as his homage meet, received; And in fitting terms, devotion--to his royal sire declared.

Mighty then, through all the city--ran the wakening sound of joy; All in every street exulting--at king Nala's safe return.

All the city with their banners--and with garlands decked they forth.

All the royal streets, well watered--and with stainless flowers were strewn; And from door to door the garlands--of festooning flowers were hung; And of all the G.o.ds the altars--were with fitting rites adorned.

Rituparna heard of Nala--in the form of Vahuca, Now re-wed, to Damayanti--and the king of men rejoiced.

To the king, before his presence--Nala courteous made excuse.

In his turn Ayodhya's monarch--in like courteous language spake.