Nala made his solemn promise,— “all your bidding will I do;” Then with folded hands adoring — humbly of their will enquired. “Who are ye? to whom must Nala — as your welcome herald go? What is my commanded service?— tell me, mighty gods, the truth.”
Spake the sovereign of Nishadha — Indra answered thus and said:— “Know us, the Immortals, hither — come for Damayanti's love. Indra I, and yon is Agni,— and the king of waters there — Slayer he of mortal bodies,— Yama, too, is here, O king!
Thou, O Nala, of our coming,— must to Damayanti tell: Thee to see, the world's dread guardians — Indra and the rest came down, Indra, Agni, Varun, Yama,— each to seek thine hand are come. One of these celestial beings,— choose, O maiden, for thy lord.”
Nala, thus addressed by Indra — with his folded hands replied: “Thus with one accord commanding — on this mission send not me. How can man, himself enamoured — for another plead his cause? Spare me then, ye gods, in mercy — this unwelcome service, spare.”
“I will do your bidding freely — thus thou'st said, Nishadha's king; Wilt thou now belie thy promise?— Nala, go, nor more delay.” By the gods adjured so sternly — thus rejoined Nishadha's king — “Strictly guarded is yon palace — how may I find entrance there?”
“Thou shalt enter;” thus did Indra — to the unwilling king reply. In the bower of Damayanti — as they spake, king Nala stood. There he saw Vidarbha's maiden — girt with all her virgin bands; In her glowing beauty shining — all excelling in her form;
Every limb in smooth proportion — slender waist and lovely eyes; Even the moon's soft gleam disdaining — in her own o'erpowering light. As he gazed, his love grew warmer — to the softly smiling maid, Yet to keep his truth, his duty — all his passion he suppressed.
Then Nishadha's king beholding — all those maids with beauteous limbs From their seats sprang up in wonder — at his matchless form amazed. In their rapture to king Nala — all admiring, homage paid; Yet, not venturing to accost him,— in their secret souls adored.
“Oh the beauty! oh the splendour!— oh the mighty hero's strength! Who is he, or God, or Yaksha — or Gandharba may he be.” Not one single word to utter,— dared that fair-limbed maiden band; All struck dumb before his beauty — in their bashful silence stood.
Smiling, first, upon the monarch — as on her he gently smiled, Damayanti, in her wonder — to the hero Nala spake:— “Who art thou of form so beauteous — thou that wakenest all my love; Cam'st thou here like an immortal — I would know thee, sinless chief.
How hast entered in our palace?— how hast entered all unseen? Watchful are our chamber wardens — stern the mandate of the king.” By the maiden of Vidarbha — Nala thus addressed, replied:— “Know, O loveliest, I am Nala — here the messenger of gods,
Gods desirous to possess thee;— one of these, the lord of heaven Indra, Agni, Varun, Yama,— choose thou, princess, for thy lord. Through their power, their power almighty — I have entered here unseen; As I entered in thy chamber — none hath seen, and none might stay.
This, the object of my mission,— fairest, from the highest gods, Thou hast heard me, noble princess — even as thou wilt, decide.”
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