Chapter VI: Book V

Came the day of happy omen[42]--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[43]--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:[44]
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[45]--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,[46]
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;[47]
Fresh their dust-unsullied garlands--hovered they, nor touched the earth.
On his shadow garland-drooping[48]--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[49]--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[50]--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.[51]
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,[52]--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[53]--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.