some god or Yaksha or Gandharva?’ And those
foremost of women, confounded by Nala’s splendour
and bashfulness would not accost him at all in speech.
And Damayanti although herself struck with amazement,
smilingly addressed the warlike Nala who also gently
smiled at her, saying, ’What art thou, O thou
of faultless features, that hast come here awakening
my love? O sinless one, O hero of celestial form,
I am anxious to know who thou art that hast come hither.
And why hast thou come hither? And how is it that
thou hast not been discovered by any one, considering
that my apartments are well-guarded and the king’s
mandates are stern.’ Thus addressed by
the daughter of the king of the Vidarbhas, Nala replied,
’O beauteous lady, know that my name is Nala.
I come here as the messenger of the gods. The
celestials, Sakra, Agni, Varuna and Yama, desire to
have thee. O beautiful lady, do thou choose one
of them for thy lord. It is through their power
that I have entered here unperceived, and it is for
this reason that none saw me on my way or obstructed
my entrance. O gentle one, I have been sent by
the foremost of the celestials even for this object.
Hearing this, O fortunate one, do what thou pleasest.’”
“Vrihadaswa said, ’Damayanti, having bowed
down unto the gods, thus addressed Nala with a smile,
’O king, love me with proper regard, and command
me what I shall do for thee. Myself and what else
of wealth is mine are thine. Grant me, O exalted
one, thy love in full trust. O king, the language
of the swans in burning me. It is for thy sake,
O hero, that I have caused the kings to meet.
O giver of proper honour, if thou forsake me who adore
thee, for thy sake will I resort to poison, or fire,
or water or the rope.’ Thus addressed by
the daughter of the king of the Vidarbhas, Nala answered
her saying, ’With the Lokapalas present, choosest
thou a man? Do thou turn thy heart to those high-souled
lords, the creators of the worlds, unto the dust of
whose feet I am not equal. Displeasing the gods,
a mortal cometh by death. Save me, O thou of
faultless limbs! Choose thou the all-excelling
celestials. By accepting the gods, do thou enjoy
spotless robes, and celestial garlands of variegated
hues, and excellent ornaments. What woman would
not choose as her lord Hutasana—the chief
of the celestials, who compassing the earth swalloweth
it? What woman would not choose him as her lord
the dread of whose mace induceth all creatures to
tread the path of virtue? And what woman would
not choose as her lord the virtuous and high-souled
Mahendra, the lord of the celestials, the chastiser
of Daityas and Danavas? Or, if thou couldst choose
in thy heart Varuna amongst the Lokapalas, do so unhesitatingly.
O accept this friendly advice.’ Thus addressed
by Naishadha, Damayanti, with eyes bathed in tears
of grief spake thus unto Nala, ’O lord of the
earth, bowing to all the gods, I choose thee for my
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