BOOK V.

Came the day of happy omen— 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— 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:

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— 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,

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;

Fresh their dust-unsullied garlands — hovered they, nor touched the earth.

On his shadow garland-drooping— 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— 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— 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.

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,— 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— 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.