whatever human or super-human thou seest in Vahuka,
together with anything else, should all be reported
unto me.’ And thus addressed by Damayanti,
Kesini went away, and having marked the conduct of
that person versed in horse-lore, she came back.
And she related unto Damayanti all that had happened,
indeed, everything of human and superhuman that she
had witnessed in Vahuka. And Kesini said, ’O
Damayanti, a person of such control over the elements
I have never before seen or heard of. Whenever
he cometh to low passage, he never stoopeth down, but
seeing him, the passage itself groweth in height so
that he may pass through it easily. And at his
approach, impassable narrow holes open wide. King
Bhima had sent various kinds of meat—of
diverse animals, for Rituparna’s food. And
many vessels had been placed there for washing the
meat. And as he looked upon them, those vessels
became filled (with water). And having washed
the meat, as he set himself to cook, he took up a handful
of grass and held it in the sun, when fire blazed
up all on a sudden. Beholding this marvel, I
have come hither amazed. Further, I have witnessed
in him another great wonder. O beauteous one,
he touched fire and was not burnt. And at his
will, water falling floweth in a stream. And,
I have witnessed another greater wonder still.
He took up some flowers, began to press them slowly
with his hands. And pressed by his hand, the flowers
did not lose their original forms, but, on the contrary,
became gayer and more odorous than before. Having
beheld wonderful things I have come hither with speed.’”
“Vrihadaswa continued, ’Hearing of these
acts of the virtuous Nala, and discovering him from
his behaviour, Damayanti considered him as already
recovered. And from these indications suspecting
that Vahuka was her husband, Damayanti once more weepingly
addressed Kesini in soft words, saying, ’O beauteous
one, go thou once more, and bring from the kitchen
without Vahuka’s knowledge some meat that hath
been boiled and dressed (by him).’ Thus
commanded, Kesini, ever bent on doing what was agreeable
to Damayanti, went to Vahuka, and taking some hot meat
came back without loss of time. And Kesini gave
that meat, O son of the Kuru race, unto Damayanti.
And Damayanti who had formerly often partaken of meat
dressed by Nala, tasted the meat that was brought
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.’”
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