There a month when he had sojourned — of king Bhima taking leave, Guarded but by few attendants — to Nishadha took his way. With a single splendid chariot — and with elephants sixteen, And with fifty armed horsemen — and six hundred men on foot;
Making, as‘ twere, earth to tremble — hastening onward, did the king, Enter awful in his anger — and terrific in his speed. Then the son of Virasena — to king Pushkara drew near; “Play we once again,” then said he — “much the wealth I have acquired:
All I have, even Damayanti — every treasure I possess, Set I now upon the hazard — Pushkara, thy kingdom thou: In the game once more contend we —‘ tis my settled purpose this, Brother, at a single hazard — play we boldly for our lives.
From another he who treasures — he who mighty realm hath won, ‘ Tis esteemed a bounden duty — to play back the counter game. If thou shrinkest from the hazard — be our game the strife of swords, Meet we in the single combat — all our difference to decide.
An hereditary kingdom — may by any means be sought, Be re-won by any venture — this the maxim of the wise. Of two courses set before thee — Pushkara, the option make, Or in play to stand the hazard — or in battle stretch the bow.”
By Nishadha's lord thus challenged — Pushkara, with smile suppressed, As secure of easy victory — answered to the lord of earth; “Oh what joy! abundant treasures — thou hast won, again to play; Oh what joy! of Damayanti — now the hard-won prize is mine:
Oh what joy! again thou livest — with thy consort, mighty armed! With the wealth I win bedecked — soon shall Bhima's daughter stand, By my side, as by great Indra — stands the Apsara in heaven. Still on thee hath dwelt my memory — still I've waited, king, for thee;
In the play I find no rapture — but‘ gainst kinsmen like thyself. When this day the round-limbed princess — Damayanti, undespised, I shall win, I rest contented — still within mine heart she dwells.” Hearing his contemptuous language — franticly thus pouring forth,
With his sword th’ indignant Nala — fain had severed off his head. But with haughty smile, with anger — glaring in his blood-red eyes, “Play we now, nor talk we longer — conquered, thou'lt no longer talk.” Then of Pushkara the gaming — and of Nala straight began:
In a single throw by Nala — was the perilous venture gained; Pushkara, his gold, his jewels — at one hazard all was won! Pushkara, in play thus conquered — with a smile the king rejoined: “Mine again is all this kingdom — undisturbed, its foes o'ercome.
Fallen king! Vidarbha's daughter — by thine eyes may ne'er be seen. Thou art now, with all thy household — unto abject slavery sunk. Not thyself achieved the conquest — that subdued me heretofore! ‘ Twas achieved by mightier Kali — that thou didst not, fool, perceive.
Yet my wrath, by him enkindled — will I not‘ gainst thee direct; Live thou henceforth at thy pleasure — freely I thy life bestow, And of thine estate and substance — give I thee thy fitting share. Such my pleasure, in thy welfare — hero, do I take delight,
And mine unabated friendship — never shall from thee depart. Pushkara, thou art my brother — may'st thou live an hundred years!” Nala thus consoled his brother — in his conscious power and strength, Sent him home to his own city — once embracing, once again.
Pushkara, thus finding comfort — answered to Nishadha's lord, Answered he to Punyasloka — bowing low with folded hands: “Everlasting be thy glory! may'st thou live ten thousand years! That my life to me thou grantest — and a city for mine home!”
Hospitably entertained — there a month when he had dwelt, Joyful to his own proud city — Pushkara, with all his kin, With a well-appointed army — of attendant slaves an host, Shining like the sun departed,— in his full meridian orb.
Pushkara thus crowned with riches — thus unharmed, when he dismissed, Entered then his royal city — with surpassing pomp, the king: As he entered, to his subjects — Nala spake the words of peace. From the city, from the country — all, with hair erect with joy,
Came, with folded hands addressed him — and the counsellors of state. “Happy are we now, O monarch — in the city, in the fields, Setting forth to do thee homage — as to Indra all the gods.” Then at peace the tranquil city — the first festal gladness o'er,
With a mighty host escorted — Damayanti brought he home. Damayanti rich in treasures — in her father's blessings rich, Glad dismissed the mighty-minded — Bhima, fearful in his strength. With the daughter of Vidarbha — with his children in his joy,
Nala lived, as lives the sovereign — of the gods in Nandana. Re-ascended thus to glory — he, among the kings of earth, Ruled his realm in Jambudwipa— thus re-won, with highest fame; And all holy rites performed he — with devout munificence.
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