BOOK I.

Lived of yore, a raja, Nala,— Virasena's mighty son,

Gifted he with every virtue,— beauteous, skilled in taming steeds:

Head of all the kings of mortals — like the monarch of the gods,

Over, over all exalted— in his splendour like the sun:

Holy, deep-read in the Vedas— in Nishadha lord of earth;

Loving dice, of truth unblemished— chieftain of a mighty host.

The admired of noble women — generous, with each sense subdued.

Guardian of the state; of archers — best, a present Manuhe.

So there dwelt in high Vidarbha— Bhima, terrible in strength,

With all virtues blest, but childless — long for children had he pined.

Many an holy act, on offspring— still intent, had he performed.

To his court there came a Brahmin,— Damana the seer was named.

Him the child-desiring Bhima — in all duties skilled, received,

Feasted with his royal consort — in his hospitable hall.

Pleased on him the grateful Daman,— and his queen a boon bestowed,

One sweet girl, the pearl of maidens — and three fair and noble sons.

Damayanti, Dama Dánta — and illustrious Damana,

Richly gifted with all virtues — mighty, fearful in their might.

Damayanti with her beauty — with her brilliance, brightness, grace,

Through the worlds unrivalled glory — won the slender-waisted maid.

Her, arrived at bloom of beauty,— sate a hundred slaves around,

And a hundred virgin handmaids — as around great Indra's queen.

In her court shone Bhima's daughter — decked with every ornament,

Mid her handmaids, like the lightning— shone she with her faultless form;

Like the long-eyed queen of beauty — without rival, without peer.

Never mid the gods immortal — never mid the Yaksha race,

Nor‘ mong men was maid so lovely — ever heard of, ever seen,

As the soul-disturbing maiden — that disturbed the souls of gods.

Nala too,‘ mong kings the tiger— peerless among earthly men,

Like Kandarpa in his beauty— like that bright-embodied God.

All around Vidarbha's princess — praised they Nala in their joy.

Ever praised they Damayanti — round Nishadha's noble king.

Hearing so each others virtues — all unseen they‘ gan to love.

Thus of each, O son of Kunti,— the deep silent passion grew.

Nala, in his heart impatient — longer that deep love to bear,

To the grove, in secret, wandered — by the palace’ inmost court.

There the swans he saw disporting— with their wings bedropped with gold:

Through the grove thus lightly moving — one of these bright birds he caught.

But the bird, in human language — thus the wondering king addressed:

“Slay me not, O gentle monarch!— I will do thee service true;

So in Damayanti's presence — will I praise Nishadha's king,

Never after shall the maiden — think of mortal man but thee.”

Thus addressed, at once the monarch — let the bright-winged bird depart.

Flew away the swans rejoicing — to Vidarbha straight they flew;

To Vidharba's stately city:— there by Damayanti's feet,

Down with drooping plumes they settled — and she gazed upon the flock,

Wondering at their forms so graceful — where amid her maids she sate.

Sportively began the damsels — all around to chase the birds;

Scattering flew the swans before them — all about the lovely grove.

Lightly ran the nimble maidens,— every one her bird pursued;

But the swan that through the forest — gentle Damayanti chased,

Suddenly, in human language — spake to Damayanti thus.—

“Damayanti, in Nishadha — Nala dwells, the noble king —

Like the Aswinas in beauty,— peerless among men is he.

O incomparable princess — to this hero wert thou wed,

Noble birth and perfect beauty — not unworthy fruit had borne.

Gods, Gandharvas,men, the Serpents,— and the Rakshasaswe've seen,

All we've seen — of noble Nala — never have we seen the peer.

Pearl art thou among all women — Nala is the pride of men.

If the peerless wed the peerless — blessed must the union be.”

When the bird thus strangely speaking — gentle Damayanti heard,

Answered thus the wondering maiden — “Thus to Nala, speak thou too.”

“Be it so,” replied the egg-born — to Vidarbha's beauteous maid.

Home then flew he to Nishadha — and to Nala told it all.