Chapter VII: Book VI

Nala, chosen by Bhima's daughter--the bright guardians of the world,
As they parted thence, with Kali[54]--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,[55]
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."