Nala, chosen by Bhima's daughter — the bright guardians of the world, As they parted thence, with Kali— Dwapara approaching saw. Kali as he saw, did Indra — did the giant-killer say, “Here, with Dwapara attended — whither, Kali, dost thou go?”
Kali spake, “the Swayembara — we of Damayanti seek; Her I go to make my consort — into her mine heart hath passed.” “Closed and ended is that bridal,” — Indra answered with a smile, “Nala she hath chosen for husband — in the presence of us all.”
Thus addressed by Indra, Kali — in the transport of his wrath, All the heavenly gods saluting,— thus his malediction spake, “Since before the Immortals’ presence — she a mortal spouse did choose, Of her impious crime most justly — heavy be the penal doom.”
Kali hardly thus had spoken — than the heaven-born gods replied: “With our full and liberal sanction — Damayanti chose her lord. Who to Nala, with all virtue — rich endowed, would not incline? He that rightly knows each duty — he who ever rightly acts,
He who reads the whole four Vedas — the Puranas too the fifth, In his palace with pure offerings — ever are the gods adored, Gentle to all living creatures — true in word and strict in vow; Good and constant he, and generous — holy, temperate, patient, pure;
His are all these virtues ever — equal to the earth-guarding gods. Thus endowed, the noble Nala — he, O Kali, that would curse, On himself recoil his curses — only fatal to himself. Nala, gifted with such virtues — he, O Kali, who would curse —
Be he plunged in hell's dark torments — in the deep and vasty lake.” Thus the gods to Kali speaking — to their native heavens arose. Soon as they had parted, Kali — thus to Dwapara began: “I my wrath can curb no longer — I henceforth in Nala dwell;
From his kingdom will I cast him — from his bliss with his sweet bride. Thou within the dice embodied — Dwapara my cause assist.”
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