Thus the Prince spake, and Indra answered him:-- "Thou seest th'immortal G.o.ds. Indra am I, And this is Agni, and the other here, Varuna, Lord of Waters; and beyond, Yama, the King of Death, who parteth souls From mortal frames. To Damayanti go; Tell our approach. Say this: 'The world's dread lords, Wishful to see thee, come; desiring thee-- Indra, Varuna, Agni, Yama, all.

Choose of these powers to which thou wilt be given.'"

But Nala, hearing that, joined palms again, And cried: "Ah, send me not, with one accord For this, most mighty G.o.ds! How should a man Sue for another, being suitor too?

How bear such errand? Have compa.s.sion, G.o.ds!"

Then spake they: "Yet thou saidst, 'This shall I do,'

Nishadha's Prince! and wilt thou do it not, Forswearing faith? Nay, but depart, and soon!"

So bid, but lingering yet again, he said:-- "Well guarded are the gates; how shall I find Speech with her?"

"Thou shalt find," Indra replied.

And, lo! upon that word Nala was brought To Damayanti's chamber. There he saw Vidarbha's glory, sitting 'mid her maids, In majesty and grace surpa.s.sing all; So exquisite, so delicate of form, Waist so fine-turned, such limbs, such lighted eyes, The moon hath meaner radiance than she.

Love at the sight of that soft smiling face Sprang to full pa.s.sion, while he stood and gazed.

Yet, faith and duty urging, he restrained His beating heart; but when those beauteous maids Spied Nala, from their cushions they uprose, Startled to see a man, yet startled more Because he showed so heavenly bright and fair.

In wondering pleasure each saluted him, Uttering no sound, but murmuring to themselves:-- "Aho! the grace of him: aho! the brilliance; Aho! what glorious strength lives in his limbs!

What is he? Is he G.o.d, Gandharva, Yaksha?"

But this unspoken, for they dared not breathe One syllable, all standing shyly there To see him, and to see his youth so sweet.

Yet, softly glancing back to his soft glance, The Princess, presently, with fluttering breath, Accosted Nala, saying: "Fairest Prince, Who by thy faultless form hath filled my heart With sudden joy, coming as come the G.o.ds, Unstayed, I crave to know thee, who thou art; How didst thou enter? how wert thou unseen?

Our palace is close-guarded, and the King Hath issued mandates stern."

Tenderly spake The Prince, replying to those tender words:-- "Most lovely! I am Nala. I am come A herald of the G.o.ds unto thee here.

The G.o.ds desire thee, the immortal Four-- Indra, Varuna, Yama, Agni. Choose, O Brightest! one from these to be thy lord.

By their help is it I have entered in Unseen; none could behold me at thy gates, Nor stay me, pa.s.sing; and to speak their will They sent me, fairest one and best. Do thou, Knowing the message, judge as seemeth well."

She bowed her head, hearing the great G.o.ds named, And then, divinely smiling, said to him:-- "Pledge thyself faithfully to me, and I Will seek, O Raja, only how to pay That debt with all I am, with all I have; For I and mine are thine--in full trust thine.

Make me that promise, Prince. Thy gentle name-- Sung by the swan--first set my thoughts afire; And for thy sake--only for thee--sweet Lord, The kings were summoned hither. If, alas!

Fair Prince, thou dost reject my sudden love, So proffered, then must poison, flame, or flood, Or knitted cord, be my sad remedy."

So spake Vidarbha's Pride; and Nala said:-- "With G.o.ds so waiting--with the world's dread lords Hastening to woo, canst thou desire a man?

Bethink! I, unto these, that make and mar, These all-wise ones, almighty, am like dust Under their feet: lift thy heart to the height Of what I bring. If mortal man offend The most high G.o.ds, death is what springs of it.

Spare me to live, thou faultless lady! Choose Which of these excellent great G.o.ds thou wilt; Wear the unstained robes! bear on thy brows The wreaths which never fade, of heavenly blooms!

Be, as thou mayest, a G.o.ddess, and enjoy G.o.dlike delights! Him who enfolds the earth, Creating and consuming, Brightest Power, Hutasa, Eater of the Sacrifice, What woman would not take? Or him whose rod Herds all the generations forward still On virtue's path, Red Yama, King of Death, What woman would affront? Or him, the all-good, All-wise destroyer of the Demons, first In heaven, Mahendra--who of womankind Is there that would not wed? Or, if thy mind Incline, doubt not to choose Varuna; he Is of these world-protectors. From a heart Full friendly cometh what I tell thee now."

Unto Nishadha's Prince the maid replied-- Tears of distress dimming her l.u.s.trous eyes--- "Humbly I reverence these mighty G.o.ds; But thee I choose, and thee I take for lord; And this I vow!"

With folded palms she stood, And trembling lips, while his faint answer fell:-- "Sent on such emba.s.sy, how shall I dare Speak, sweetest Princess, for myself to thee?

Bound by my promise for the G.o.ds to sue, How can I be a suitor for myself?

Silence is here my duty; afterwards, If I shall come, in mine own name I'll come, Mine own cause pleading. Ah, might that so be!"

Checking her tears, Damayanti sadly smiled, And said full soft: "One way of hope I see, A blameless way, O Lord of men! wherefrom No fault shall rise, nor any danger fall.

Thou also, Prince, with Indra and these G.o.ds, Must enter in where my Swayamvara Is held; then I, in presence of those G.o.ds, Will choose thee, dearest, for my lord; and so Blame shall not light on thee,"

With which sweet words Soft in his ears, Nishadha straight returned There where the G.o.ds were gathered, waiting him; Whom the world's masters, on his way, perceived, And, spying, questioned, asking for his news:-- "Saw'st thou her, Prince? Didst see the sweet-lipped one?

What spake she of us? Tell us true; tell all!"

Quoth Nala: "By your worshipful behest Sent to her house, the great gates entered I, Though the gray porters watched; but none might spy My entering, by your power, O radiant Ones, Saving the Raja's daughter; her I saw Amid her maidens, and by them was seen.

On me with much amazement they did gaze Whilst I your high Divinities extolled.

But she that hath the lovely face, with mind Set upon me, hath chosen me, ye G.o.ds.

For thus she spake, my Princess: 'Let them come, And come thou, like a lordly tiger, too, Unto the place of my Swayamvara; There will I choose thee in their presence, Prince, To be my lord; and so there will not fall Blame, thou strong-armed! to thee,' This she did say Even as I tell it; and what shall be next, To will is yours, O ye immortal Ones!"

Soon, when the moon was good, and day and hour Were found propitious, Bhima, King of men, Summoned the chiefs to the Swayamvara; Upon which message all those eager lords For love of Damayanti hastened there.

Glorious with gilded pillars was the court, Whereto a gate-house opened, and thereby Into the square, like lions from the hills, Paced the proud guests; and there their seats they took, Each in his rank, the masters of the lands, With crowns of fragrant blossoms garlanded, And polished jewels swinging in their ears.

Of some the thews, knitted and rough, stood forth Like iron maces; some had slender limbs, Sleek and fine-turned like the five-headed snake; Lords with long-flowing hair; glittering lords; High-nosed, and eagle-eyed, and heavy-browed; The faces of those kings shone in a ring As shine at night the stars; and that great square As thronged with Rajas was as Naga-land Is full of serpents; thick with warlike chiefs As mountain-caves with panthers. Unto these Entered, in matchless majesty of form, The Princess Damayanti. As she came, The glory of her ravished eyes and hearts, So that the gaze of all those haughty kings, Fastening upon her loveliness, grew fixed-- Not moving save with her--step after step Onward and always following the maid.

But while the styles and dignities of all Were cried aloud (O son of Bharat!), lo!

The Princess marked five of that throng alike In form and garb and visage. There they stood, Each from the next undifferenced, but each Nala's own self;--yet which might Nala be In nowise could that doubting maid descry.

Who took her eye seemed Nala while she gazed, Until she looked upon his like; and so Pondered the lovely lady, sore-perplexed, Thinking, "How shall I tell which be the G.o.ds, And which is n.o.ble Nala?" Deep-distressed And meditative waxed she, musing hard What those signs were, delivered us of old, Whereby G.o.ds may be known: "Of all those signs Taught by our elders, lo! I see not one Where stand yon five." So murmured she, and turned Over and over every mark she knew.

At last, resolved to make the G.o.ds themselves Her help at need, with reverent air and voice Humbly saluted she those heavenly ones, And with joined palms and trembling accents spake:-- "As, when I heard the swans, I chose my Prince, By that sincerity I call ye, G.o.ds, To show my Love to me and make me know!

As in my heart and soul and speech I stand True to my choice, by that sincerity I call the all-knowing G.o.ds to make me know!

As the high G.o.ds created Nishadha's chief To be my lord, by their sincerity I bid them show themselves, and make me know!

As my vow, sealed to him, must be maintained For his name, and for mine, I call the G.o.ds By such sincerity to make me know!

Let them appear, the masters of the world-- The high G.o.ds--each one in his proper shape, That I may see Nishadha's chief, my choice, Whom minstrels praise, and Damayanti loves."

Hearing that earnest speech--so pa.s.sion-fraught, So full of truth, of strong resolve, of love, Of singleness of soul and constancy-- Even as she spake, the G.o.ds disclosed themselves.

By well-seen signs the effulgent Ones she knew.

Shadowless stood they, with unwinking eyes, And skins which never moist with sweat; their feet Light-gliding o'er the ground, not touching it; The unfading blossoms on their brows not soiled By earthly dust, but ever fair and fresh.

Whilst, by their side, garbed so and visaged so, But doubled by his shadow, stained with dust, The flower-cups wiltering in his wreath, his skin Pearly with sweat, his feet upon the earth, And eyes a-wink, stood Nala. One by one Glanced she on those divinities, then bent Her gaze upon the Prince, and, joyous, said:-- "I know thee, and I name my rightful lord, Taking Nishadha's chief." Therewith she drew Modestly nigh, and held him by the cloth, With large eyes beaming love, and round his neck Hung the bright chaplet, love's delicious crown; So choosing him--him only--whom she named Before the face of all to be her lord.

Oh, then brake forth from all those suitors proud, "Ha!" and "Aho!" But from the G.o.ds and saints, "Sadhu! well done! well done!" And all admired The happy Prince, praising the grace of him; While Virasena's son, delightedly, Spake to the slender-waisted these fond words:-- "Fair Princess! since, before all G.o.ds and men, Thou makest me thy choice, right glad am I Of this thy mind, and true lord will I be.

For so long, loveliest, as my breath endures, Thine am I! Thus I plight my troth to thee."

So, with joined palms, unto that beauteous maid His gentle faith he pledged, rejoicing her; And, hand in hand, radiant with mutual love, Before great Agni and the G.o.ds they pa.s.sed, The world's protectors worshipping.

Then those, The lords of life, the powerful Ones, bestowed-- Being well-pleased--on Nala, chosen so, Eight n.o.ble boons. The boon which Indra gave Was grace, at times of sacrifice, to see The visible G.o.d approach, with step divine; And Agni's boon was this, that he would come Whenever Nala called--for everywhere Hutasa shineth, and all worlds are his; Yama gave skill in cookery, steadfastness In virtue; and Varuna, King of Floods, Bade all the waters ripple at his call.

These boons the high G.o.ds doubled by the gift Of bright wreaths wove with magic blooms of heaven; And those bestowed, ascended to their seats.

Also with wonder and with joy returned The Rajas and the Maharajas all, Full of the marriage-feast; for Bhima made, In pride and pleasure, stately nuptials; So Damayanti and the Prince were wed.

Then, having tarried as is wont, that lord-- Nishadha's chief--took the King's leave, and went Unto his city, bringing home with him His jewel of all womanhood, with whom Blissful he lived, as lives by Sachi's side The slayer of the Demons. Like a sun Shone Nala on his throne, ruling his folk In strength and virtue, guardian of his state.

Also the Aswamedha Rite he made Greatest of rites, the Offering of the Horse, As did Yayati; and all other acts Of worship; and to sages gave rich gifts.

Many dear days of much delicious love, In pleasant gardens and in shadowy groves, Pa.s.sed they together, sojourning like G.o.ds.

And Damayanti bore unto her lord A boy named Indrasen, and next, a girl Named Indrasena. So in happiness The good Prince governed, seeing all his lands Wealthy and well, in piety and peace.

Now at the choosing of Nishadha's chief By Bhima's daughter, when those lords of life-- The effulgent G.o.ds--departed, Dwapara They saw with Kali, coming. Indra said-- The Demon-slayer--spying these approach:-- "Whither, with Dwapara, goest thou to-day, O Kali?" And the sombre Shade replied:-- "To Damayanti's high Swayamvara I go, to make her mine, since she hath pa.s.sed Into my heart." But Indra, laughing, said:-- "Ended is that Swayamvara; for she Hath taken Raja Nala for her lord, Before us all," But Kali, hearing this, Breaks into wrath--while he stood worshipping That band divine--and furiously cries:-- "If she hath set a man above the G.o.ds, To wed with him, for such sin let there fall Doom, rightful, swift, and terrible, on her!"

"Nay," answered unto him those heavenly ones, "But Damayanti chose with our good-will; And what maid but would choose so fair a prince, Seeing he hath all qualities, and knows Virtue, and rightly practises the vows, And reads the four great Vedas, and, what's next, The Holy Stories, whilst, perpetually, The G.o.ds are honored in his house with gifts?

No hurt he does, kind to all living things; True of word is he, faithful, liberal, just; Steadfast and patient, temperate and pure; A king of men is Nala, like the G.o.ds.

He that would curse a prince of such a mould, Thou foolish Kali, lays upon himself A sin to crush himself; the curse comes back And sinks him in the bottomless vast gulf Of Narak."

Thus the G.o.ds to Kali spake, And mounted heavenward; whereupon that Shade, Frowning, to Dwapara burst forth: "My rage Beareth no curb. Henceforth in Nala I Will dwell; his kingdom I will make to fall; His bliss with Damayanti I will mar; And thou within the dice shalt enter straight, And help me, Dwapara! to drag him down,"

Into which compact entering, those repaired-- Kali and Dwapara--to Nala's house, And haunted in Nishadha, where he ruled, Seeking occasion 'gainst the blameless Prince.

Long watched they; twelve years rolled ere Kali saw The fateful fault arrive; Nishadha's Lord, Easing himself, and sprinkling hands and lips With purifying water, pa.s.sed to prayer, His feet unwashed, offending. Kali straight Possessed the heedless Raja, entering him.

That hour there sat with Nala, Pushkara His brother; and the evil spirit hissed Into the ear of Pushkara: "Ehi!

Arise, and challenge Nala at the dice.

Throw with the Prince! it may be thou shalt win (Luck helping thee, and I) Nishadha's throne, Town, treasures, palace--thou mayest gain them all."

And Pushkara, hearing Kali's evil voice, Made near to Nala, with the dice in hand (A great piece for the "Bull," and little ones For "Cows," and Kali hiding in the Bull).

So Pushkara came to Nala's side and said:-- "Play with me, brother, at the 'Cows and Bull';"

And, being put off, cried mockingly, "Nay, play!"

Shaming the Prince, whose spirit chafed to leave A gage unfaced; but when Vidarbha's gem, The Princess, heard that challenge, Nala rose: "Yea, Pushkara, I will play!" fiercely he said; And to the game addressed.

His gems he lost, Armlets and belt and necklet; next the gold Of the palace and its vessels; then the cars Yoked with swift steeds; and last, the royal robes: For, cast by cast, the dice against him fell, Bewitched by Kali; and, cast after cast, The pa.s.sion of the dice kept hold on him, Until not one of all his faithfullest Could stay the madman's hand and gamester's heart Of who was named "Subduer of his Foes."

The townsmen gathered with the ministers: Into that palace gate they thronged (my King!) To see their lord, if so they might abate This sickness of his soul. The charioteer, Forth standing from their midst, low worshipping, Spake thus to Damayanti: "Great Princess, Before thy door all the grieved city sits.

Say to our lord for us, 'Thy folk are here; They mourn that evil fortunes hold their liege, Who was so high and just,'" Then she, deject, Pa.s.sed in, and to Nishadha's ruler said, Her soft voice broken, and her bright eyes dimmed:-- "Raja, the people of thy town are here; Before our gates they gather, citizens And counsellors, desiring speech with thee; In lealty they come. Wilt thou be pleased We open to them? Wilt thou?" So she asked Again and yet again; but not one word To that sad lady with the lovely brows Did Nala answer, wholly swallowed up Of Kali and the gaming; so that those-- The citizens and counsellors--cried out, "Our lord is changed! He is not Nala now!"

And home returned, ashamed and sorrowful; Whilst ceaselessly endured that foolish play Moon after moon--the Prince the loser still.

Then Damayanti, seeing so estranged Her lord, the praised in song, the chief of men, Watching, all self-possessed, his fantasy, And how the gaming held him; sad, and 'feared, The heavy fortunes pondering of her Prince; Hating the fault, but to the offender kind; And fearing Nala should be stripped of all, This thing devised: Vrihatsena she called-- Her foster-nurse and faithful ministrant-- True, skilful at all service, soft of speech, Kind-hearted; and she said, "Vrihatsena, Go call the ministers to council now, As though 'twere Nala bade; and make them count What store is gone of treasure, what abides."

So went Vrihatsena, and summoned those; And when they knew all things, as from the Prince, "Truly we, too, shall perish!" cried they then; And all to Nala went, and all the town, A second time a.s.sembling, thronged his gates:-- Which Bhima's daughter told; but not one word Answered the Prince. And when she saw her lord Put by her plea, utterly slighting it, Back to her chamber, full of shame, she goes, And there still hears the dice are falling ill; Still hears of Nala daily losing more; So that again unto her nurse she spake:-- "Send to Varshneya, good Vrihatsena; Say to the charioteer--in Nala's name-- 'A great thing is to do. Come thou!'" And this-- So soon as Damayanti uttered it-- Vrihatsena, by faithful servants, told Unto the son of Vrishni, who, being come In fitting time and place, heard the sweet Queen In mournful music speak these wistful words:-- "Thou knowest how thy Raja trusted thee; Now he hath fall'n on evil; succor him!

The more that Pushkara conquers in the play, The wilder rage of gaming takes thy lord-- The more for Pushkara the dice light well, More contrary they happen to the Prince: Nor heeds he, as were meet, kindred or friends; Nay, of myself he putteth by the prayer Unanswered, being bewitched; for well I deem This is not n.o.ble-minded Nala's sin, But some ill spell possesseth him to shut His ears to me. Thou, therefore, charioteer!

Our refuge be; do what I shall command; My heart is dark with fear. Yea, it may fall Our lord will perish. Wherefore, harnessing His chosen steeds, which fly as swift as thought.

Take these our children in the chariot And drive to Kundina, delivering there Unto my kin the little ones, and car, And horses. Afterwards abide thou there, Or otherwhere depart."

Varshneya heard The words of Damayanti, and forthwith In Nala's council-hall recounted them, The chief men being present; who, thus met, And long debating, gave him leave to go.

So with that royal pair to Bhima's town Drove he, and at Vidarbha rendered up, Together with the swift steeds and the car, That sweet maid Indrasena, and the Prince Indrasen, and made reverence to the King, Saddened for sake of Nala. Afterwards Taking his leave, unto Ayodhya Varshneya went, exceeding sorrowful, And with King Rituparna (O my Prince!) Took service as a charioteer.

These gone-- The praised-of-poets, Nala, still played on, Till Pushkara his kingdom's wealth had won, And whatso was to lose beside. Thereat With scornful laugh mocked he that beggared Prince, Saying, "One other throw; once more!--Yet sooth, What canst thou stake? Nothing is left for thee Save Damayanti; all the rest is mine.

Play we for Damayanti, if thou wilt."

But hearing this from Pushkara, the Prince So in his heart by grief and shame was torn, No word he uttered--only glared in wrath Upon his mocker, upon Pushkara.

Then, his rich robes and jewels stripping off, Uncovered, with one cloth, 'mid waiting friends Sorrowful pa.s.sed he forth, his great state gone; The Princess, with one garment, following him, Piteous to see. And there without the gates Three nights they lay--Nashadha's King and Queen.

Upon the fourth day Pushkara proclaimed, Throughout the city, "Whoso yieldeth help To Nala, dieth! Let my will be known!"

So, for this bitter word of Pushkara's power (O Yudhisthir!) the townsmen rendered not Service nor love, but left them outcast there, Unhelped, whom all the city should have helped.

Yet three nights longer tarried he, his drink The common pool, his meat such fruits and roots As miserable hunger plucks from earth: Then fled they from those walls, the Prince going first, The Princess following.

After grievous days, Pinched ever with sharp famine, Nala saw A flock of gold-winged birds lighting anigh, And to himself the famished Raja said:-- "Lo! here is food; this day we shall have store;"

Then lightly cast his cloth and covered them.

But these, fluttering aloft, bore with them there Nala's one cloth; and, hovering overhead, Uttered sharp-stinging words, reviling him Even as he stood, naked to all the airs, Downcast and desperate: "Thou brain-sick Prince!

We are the dice; we come to ravish hence Thy last poor cloth; we were not well content Thou shouldst depart owning a garment still."

And when he saw the dice take wings and fly, Leaving him bare, to Damayanti spake This melancholy Prince: "O Blameless One, They by whose malice I am driven forth, Finding no sustenance, sad, famine-gaunt-- They whose decree forbade Nishadha's folk Should succor me, their Raja--these have come-- Demon and dice--and like to winged birds Have borne away my cloth. To such shame fall'n, Such utmost woe, wretched, demented--I Thy lord am still, and counsel thee for good.