by her hand-maid. And she thereupon decided Vahuka
to be Nala and wept aloud in grief of heart.
And, O Bharata, overwhelmed with grief, and washing
her face, she sent her two children with Kesini.
And Vahuka, who was the king in disguise, recognising
Indrasena with her brother, advanced hastily, and embracing
them, took them up on his lap. And taking up his
children like unto the children of the celestials,
he began to weep aloud in sonorous accents, his heart
oppressed with great sorrow. And after having
repeatedly betrayed his agitation, Naishadha suddenly
left children, and addressed Kesini, saying, “O
fair damsel, these twins are very like my own children.
Beholding them unexpectedly, I shed tears. If
thou comest to me frequently people may think evil,
for we are guests from another land. Therefore.
O blessed one, go at thy ease."’”
“Vrihadaswa said, ’Beholding the agitation
of the virtuous and wise Nala, Kesini returned unto
Damayanti and related everything unto her. And
thereupon Damayanti with a sorrowful heart and eager
to behold Nala, again despatched Kesini to her mother,
asking her to say on her behalf: “Suspecting
Vahuka to be Nala, I have tried him in various ways.
My doubt now only relates to his appearance.
I intend to examine him myself. O mother, either
let him enter the palace, or give me permission to
go to him. And arrange this with the knowledge
of my father or without it.” And thus addressed
to Damayanti, that lady communicated unto Bhima the
intention of his daughter, and upon learning it the
king gave his consent. And, O bull of the Bharata
race, having obtained the consent both of her father
and mother, Damayanti caused Nala to be brought to
her apartments. And as soon as he saw Damayanti
unexpectedly, king Nala was overwhelmed with grief
and sorrow, and bathed in tears. And that best
of women, Damayanti, also, upon beholding king Nala
in that condition, was sorely afflicted with grief.
And, O monarch, herself clad in a piece of red cloth,
and wearing matted locks, and covered with dirt and
dust, Damayanti then addressed Vahuka, saying, “O
Vahuka, hast thou ever seen any person acquainted
with duty, who hath gone away, deserting his sleeping
wife in the forest? Who, except the virtuous
Nala, could go away, deserting in the woods, his dear
and unoffending wife overcome with fatigue? Of
what offence was I guilty in the eyes of that monarch
since my early youth that he should go away deserting
me in the woods while asleep overcome with fatigue?
Why should he whom I formerly chose in preference
to the gods themselves abandon his ever-devoted and
loving wife who had become the mother also of his
children? Before the fire, and in presence also
of the celestials, he had taken my hand, vowing, ‘Verily
I will be thine.’ Oh, where was that
vow when he deserted me. O represser of foes.”
While Damayanti was saying all this, tears of sorrow
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