Hearing this, fair Damayanti — all abandoned to her grief. Thinking still that he was Nala — to Kesinia spake again. “Go, Kesinia, go, examine — Vahuca, and all his acts, Silent take thy stand beside him — and observe whate'er he does;
Nor, Kesinia, be there given him — fire his labours to assist: Neither be there given him water — in thy haste, at his demand: All, when thou hast well observed him — every act to me repeat, Every act that more than mortal — seems in Vahuca, relate.”
Thus addressed by Damayanti — straight Kesinia went again, Of the tamer of the horses — every act observed, came back; Every act as she had seen it — she to Damayanti told: Every more than mortal wonder — that in Vahuca appeared.
“Very holy is he, never — mortal man, in all my life, Have I seen, or have I heard of — Damayanti, like to him. He drew near the lowly entrance — bowed not down his stately head; On the instant, as it saw him — up th’ expanding portal rose.
For the use of Rituparna — much and various viands came; Sent, as meet, by royal Bhima — and abundant animal food. These to cleanse, with meet ablution — were capacious vessels brought; As he looked on them, the vessels — stood, upon the instant, full.
Then, the meet ablutions over — Vahuca went forth, and took, Of the withered grass a handful — held it upward to the sun: On the instant, brightly blazing — shone the all-consuming fire. Much I marvelled at the wonder — and in mute amazement stood;
Lo, a second greater marvel — sudden burst upon my sight! He that blazing fire stood handling — yet unharmed, unburned, remained. At his will flows forth the water — at his will it sinks again. And another greater wonder — lady, did I there behold:
He the flowers which he had taken — gently moulded in his hands, In his hands the flowers, so moulded — as with freshening life endued, Blossomed out with richer fragrance — stood erect upon their stems: All these marvels having noted — swiftly came I back to thee.”
Damayanti when these wonders — of the king of men she heard, Thought yet more king Nala present — thought her utmost wish achieved. Deeming still her royal consort — in the form of Vahuca, With a gentle voice and weeping — to Kesinia spake again:
“Go, again, Kesinia, secret — and by Vahuca unseen, Of those viands bring a portion — by his skilful hand prepared:” She to Vahuca approaching — unperceived stole soft away Of the well-cooked meat a morsel — warm she bore it in her haste,
And to Damayanti gave it — fair Kesinia, undelayed. Of the food prepared by Nala — well the flavour did she know; Tasting it she shrieked in transport — “Nala is yon charioteer.” Trying then a new emotion — of her mouth ablution made:
She her pair of infant children — with Kesinia sent to him. Soon as he young Indrasena — and her little brother saw, Up he sprang, his arms wound round them — to his bosom folding both; When he gazed upon the children — like the children of the gods,
All his heart o'erflowed with pity — and unwilling tears broke forth. Yet Nishadha's lord perceiving — she his strong emotion marked, From his hold released the children — to Kesinia speaking thus: “Oh! so like mine own twin children — was yon lovely infant pair,
Seeing them thus unexpected — have I broken out in tears: If so oft thou comest hither — men some evil will suspect, We within this land are strangers — beauteous maiden, part in peace.”
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