Came the day of happy omen— moonday meet, and moment apt; Bhima to the Swayembara — summoned all the lords of earth. One and all, upon the instant — rose th’ enamoured lords of earth, Suitors all to Damayanti — in their loving haste they came.
They, the court with golden columns— rich, and glittering portal arch, Like the lions on the mountains — entered they the hall of state. There the lords of earth were seated — each upon his several throne; All their fragrant garlands wearing — all with pendant ear-gems rich.
Arms were seen robust and vigorous — as the ponderous battle mace, Some like the five-headed serpents — delicate in shape and hue: With bright locks profuse and flowing — fine formed nose, and eye and brow, Shone the faces of the rajas — like the radiant stars in heaven.
As with serpents, Bhogavati— the wide hall was full of kings; As the mountain caves with tigers — with the tiger-warriors full. Damayanti in her beauty — entered on that stately scene, With her dazzling light entrancing — every eye and every soul.
O'er her lovely person gliding — all the eyes of those proud kings; There were fixed, there moveless rested — as they gazed upon the maid. Then as they proclaimed the rajas — ( by his name was each proclaimed ) In dismay saw Bhima's daughter — five in garb, in form the same.
On those forms, all undistinguished — each from each, she stood and gazed. In her doubt Vidarbha's princess — Nala's form might not discern, Whichsoe'er the form she gazed on — him her Nala, him she thought. She within her secret spirit — deeply pondering, stood and thought:
“How shall I the gods distinguish?— royal Nala how discern?” Pondering thus Vidarbha's maiden — in the anguish of her heart — Th’ attributes of the immortals — sought, as heard of yore, to see. “Th’ attributes of each celestial — that our aged sires describe,
As on earth they stand before me — not of one may I discern.” Long she pondered in her silence — and again, again she thought. To the gods, her only refuge — turned she at this trying hour. With her voice and with her spirit — she her humble homage paid.
Folding both her hands and trembling — to the gods the maiden spake: “As when heard the swan's sweet language — chose I then Nishadha's king, By this truth I here adjure ye — oh, ye gods, reveal my lord; As in word or thought I swerve not — from my faith, all-knowing powers,
By this truth I here adjure ye — oh, ye gods, reveal my lord. As the gods themselves have destined — for my lord Nishadha's king; By this truth I here adjure ye — oh, ye gods, my lord reveal. As my vow, so pledged to Nala — holily must be maintained,
By this truth I here adjure ye — oh, ye gods, my lord reveal. Each the form divine assume ye — earth's protectors, mighty lords; So shall I discern my Nala — I shall know the king of men.” As they heard sad Damayanti — uttering thus her piteous prayer,
At her high resolve they wonder — steadfast truth and fervent love, Holiness of soul, and wisdom — to her lord her constant faith. As she prayed, the gods obedient — stood with attributes revealed: With unmoistened skins the Immortals — saw she, and with moveless eyes;
Fresh their dust-unsullied garlands — hovered they, nor touched the earth. On his shadow garland-drooping— soiled with dust and moist with sweat, On the earth Nishadha's monarch — stood confessed, with twinkling eyes; On the gods an instant gazed she — then upon the king of men;
And of right king Bhima's daughter — named Nishadha's king her lord. Modestly the large-eyed maiden — lifted up his garment's hem, Round his shoulders threw she lightly — the bright zone of radiant flowers; So she chose him for her husband — Nala, that high-hearted maid.
Then alas! alas! burst wildly,— from that conclave of the kings, And “well done, well done,” as loudly — from the gods and sages broke; All in their extatic wonder — glorified Nishadha's king. Then to royal Damayanti — Virasena's kingly son,
To that slender waisted damsel — spake he comfort in his joy; “Since thou'st own'd me for thine husband — in the presence of the gods, For thy faithful consort know me — aye delighting in thy words. While this spirit fills this body — maiden with the smile serene!
Thine am I, so long thine only — this the solemn truth I vow.” Thus he gladdened Damayanti — with the assurance of his faith; And the happy pair devoutly— worshipped then the present gods. Chosen thus Nishadha's monarch — the bright guardians of the world,
In their gladness all on Nala — eight transcendant gifts bestowed; To discern the visible godhead — in the sacrifice, a gait Firm and noble, Sachi's husband — Indra to king Nala gave. Agni gave his own bright presence— whensoe'er the monarch called.
All the worlds instinct with splendour — through his power Hutasa gave. Subtle taste in food gave Yama — and in virtue eminence; Varun gave obedient water — to be present at his call; Garlands too of matchless fragrance;— each his double blessing gave.
Thus bestowed their gracious favours — to the heavens the gods returned; And the rajas, who with wonder — Nala's marriage saw confirmed With the gentle Damayanti — as they came, in joy returned. Thus the kings of earth departed;— Bhima in his joy and pride,
Solemnized the stately bridals — of the maiden and the king. Fitting time when there he'd sojourned,— best of men, Nishadha's king; Courteous parting with king Bhima — to his native city went. Having gained the pearl of women — the majestic lord of earth
Lived in bliss, as with his Sachi,— he that those old giants slew. In his joy the elated monarch — shining radiant as the sun, Ruled the subjects of his kingdom — with a just and equal sway. Of the horse the famous offering— like Nahucha's mighty son,
Every sacrifice performed he — with rich gifts to holy men. And full oft in flowering gardens — and delicious shady groves, Like a god, the royal Nala — took with Damayanti joy. So begat from Damayanti — Nala, of heroic soul,
Indrasena one fair daughter — Indrasen one beauteous son. Thus in sacrifice and pleasance — took his joy the king of men, So the earth with riches teeming — ruled the sovereign of the earth.
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