fear from animals with fangs from enemies, and from Brahmanas also versed in the Vedas, O king!  Nor shalt thou, O monarch, feel pain on account of my poison.  And, O foremost of kings, thou shalt be ever victorious in battle.  This very day, O prince, O lord of Nishadhas, go to the delightful city of Ayodhya, and present thyself before Rituparna skilled in gambling, saying, ’I am a charioteer, Vahuka by name.’  And that king will give thee his skill in dice for thy knowledge of horses.  Sprung from the line of Ikswaku, and possessed of prosperity, he will be thy friend.  When thou wilt be an adept at dice, thou shalt then have prosperity.  Thou wilt also meet with thy wife and thy children, and regain thy kingdom.  I tell thee this truly.  Therefore, let not thy mind be occupied by sorrow.  And, O lord of men, when thou shouldst desire to behold thy proper form, thou shouldst remember me, and wear this garment.  Upon wearing this, thou shalt get back thy own form.’  And saying this, that Naga then gave unto Nala two pieces of celestial cloth.  And, O son of the Kuru race, having thus instructed Nala, and presented him with the attire, the king of snakes, O monarch, made himself invisible there and then!’”

SECTION LXVII

“Vrihadaswa said, ’After the snake had vanquished, Nala, the ruler of the Nishadhas, proceeded, and on the tenth day entered the city of Rituparna.  And he approached the king, saying, ’My name is Vahuka.  There is no one in this world equal to me in managing steeds.  My counsel also should be sought in matters of difficulty and in all affairs of skill.  I also surpass others in the art of cooking.  In all those arts that exists in this world, and also in every thing difficult of accomplishment, I will strive to attain success, O Rituparna, do thou maintain me.’  And Rituparna replied, ’O Vahuka, stay with me!  May good happen to thee.  Thou wilt even perform all this.  I have always particularly desired to be driven fast.  Do thou concert such measures that my steeds may become fleet.  I appoint thee the superintendent of my stables.  Thy pay shall be ten thousand (coins).  Both Varshneya and Jivala shall always be under thy direction.  Thou wilt live pleasantly in their company.  Therefore, O Vahuka, stay thou with me.’”

“Vrihadaswa continued, ’Thus addressed by the king, Nala began to dwell in the city of Rituparna, treated with respect and with Varshneya and Jivala as his companions.  And residing there, the king (Nala), remembering the princess of Vidarbha, recited every evening the following sloka:  ’Where lieth that helpless one afflicted with hunger and thirst and worn with toil, thinking of that wretch?  And upon whom also doth she now wait?’ And once as the king was reciting this in the night, Jivala asked him saying, ’O Vahuka, whom dost thou lament thus daily?  I am curious to hear it.  O thou blest with length of days, whose spouse is she whom