the horse-lore (that his charioteer possessed), said, “So be it.  As solicited by thee, receive this science of dice from me, and, O Vahuka, let my equine science remain with thee in trust.”  And saying this, Rituparna imparted unto Nala the science (he desired).  And Nala upon becoming acquainted with the science of dice, Kali came out of his body, incessantly vomiting from his mouth the virulent poison of Karkotaka.  And when Kali, afflicted (by Damayanti’s curse) came out (of Nala’s body), the fire of that curse also left Kali.  Indeed, long had been the time for which the king had been afflicted by Kali, as if he were of unregenerate soul.  And Nala the ruler of the Nishadhas, in wrath, was bent upon cursing Kali, when the latter, frightened, and trembling, said with joined hands, “Control thy wrath, O king!  I will render thee illustrious.  Indrasena’s mother had formerly cursed me in anger when she had been deserted by thee.  Ever since that time undergoing sore affliction I resided in thee, O mighty monarch, O unconquered one, miserably and burning night and day with the venom of the prince of snakes.  I seek thy protection.  If thou dost not curse me who am affrighted and seek thy protection, then those men that will attentively recite thy history, shall be even free from fear on my account.”  And thus addressed by Kali, king Nala controlled his wrath.  And thereupon the frightened Kali speedily entered into the Vibhitaka tree.  And while the Kali was conversing with Naishadha, he was invisible to others.  And delivered from his afflictions, and having counted the fruits of that tree, the king, filled with great joy and of high energy, mounted on the car and proceeded with energy, urging those fleet horses.  And from the touch of Kali the Vibhitaka tree from that hour fell into disrepute.  And Nala, with a glad heart, began to urge those foremost of steeds which sprang into the air once and again like creatures endued with wings.  And the illustrious monarch drove (the car) in the direction of the Vidarbhas.  And after Nala had gone far away, Kali also returned to his abode.  And abandoned by Kali, O king, that lord of earth, the royal Nala, became freed from calamity though he did not assume his native form.’”

SECTION LXXIII

“Vrinadaswa said, ’After Rituparna of prowess incapable of being baffled had, in the evening, arrived at the city of the Vidarbhas, the people brought unto king Bhima the tidings (of his arrival).  And at the invitation of Bhima, the king (of Ayodhya) entered the city of Kundina, filling with the rattle of his car all the ten points, direct and transverse, of the horizon.  And the steeds of Nala that were in that city heard that sound, and hearing it they became delighted as they used to be in the presence of Nala himself.  And Damayanti also heard the sound of that car driven by Nala, like the deep roar of the clouds in the rainy season.  And Bhima