Lived of yore, a raja, Nala,— Virasena's mighty son, Gifted he with every virtue,— beauteous, skilled in taming steeds: Head of all the kings of mortals — like the monarch of the gods, Over, over all exalted— in his splendour like the sun:
Holy, deep-read in the Vedas— in Nishadha lord of earth; Loving dice, of truth unblemished— chieftain of a mighty host. The admired of noble women — generous, with each sense subdued. Guardian of the state; of archers — best, a present Manuhe.
So there dwelt in high Vidarbha— Bhima, terrible in strength, With all virtues blest, but childless — long for children had he pined. Many an holy act, on offspring— still intent, had he performed. To his court there came a Brahmin,— Damana the seer was named.
Him the child-desiring Bhima — in all duties skilled, received, Feasted with his royal consort — in his hospitable hall. Pleased on him the grateful Daman,— and his queen a boon bestowed, One sweet girl, the pearl of maidens — and three fair and noble sons.
Damayanti, Dama Dánta — and illustrious Damana, Richly gifted with all virtues — mighty, fearful in their might. Damayanti with her beauty — with her brilliance, brightness, grace, Through the worlds unrivalled glory — won the slender-waisted maid.
Her, arrived at bloom of beauty,— sate a hundred slaves around, And a hundred virgin handmaids — as around great Indra's queen. In her court shone Bhima's daughter — decked with every ornament, Mid her handmaids, like the lightning— shone she with her faultless form;
Like the long-eyed queen of beauty — without rival, without peer. Never mid the gods immortal — never mid the Yaksha race, Nor‘ mong men was maid so lovely — ever heard of, ever seen, As the soul-disturbing maiden — that disturbed the souls of gods.
Nala too,‘ mong kings the tiger— peerless among earthly men, Like Kandarpa in his beauty— like that bright-embodied God. All around Vidarbha's princess — praised they Nala in their joy. Ever praised they Damayanti — round Nishadha's noble king.
Hearing so each others virtues — all unseen they‘ gan to love. Thus of each, O son of Kunti,— the deep silent passion grew. Nala, in his heart impatient — longer that deep love to bear, To the grove, in secret, wandered — by the palace’ inmost court.
There the swans he saw disporting— with their wings bedropped with gold: Through the grove thus lightly moving — one of these bright birds he caught. But the bird, in human language — thus the wondering king addressed: “Slay me not, O gentle monarch!— I will do thee service true;
So in Damayanti's presence — will I praise Nishadha's king, Never after shall the maiden — think of mortal man but thee.” Thus addressed, at once the monarch — let the bright-winged bird depart. Flew away the swans rejoicing — to Vidarbha straight they flew;
To Vidharba's stately city:— there by Damayanti's feet, Down with drooping plumes they settled — and she gazed upon the flock, Wondering at their forms so graceful — where amid her maids she sate. Sportively began the damsels — all around to chase the birds;
Scattering flew the swans before them — all about the lovely grove. Lightly ran the nimble maidens,— every one her bird pursued; But the swan that through the forest — gentle Damayanti chased, Suddenly, in human language — spake to Damayanti thus.—
“Damayanti, in Nishadha — Nala dwells, the noble king — Like the Aswinas in beauty,— peerless among men is he. O incomparable princess — to this hero wert thou wed, Noble birth and perfect beauty — not unworthy fruit had borne.
Gods, Gandharvas,men, the Serpents,— and the Rakshasaswe've seen, All we've seen — of noble Nala — never have we seen the peer. Pearl art thou among all women — Nala is the pride of men. If the peerless wed the peerless — blessed must the union be.”
When the bird thus strangely speaking — gentle Damayanti heard, Answered thus the wondering maiden — “Thus to Nala, speak thou too.” “Be it so,” replied the egg-born — to Vidarbha's beauteous maid. Home then flew he to Nishadha — and to Nala told it all.
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