BOOK VI.

Nala, chosen by Bhima's daughter — the bright guardians of the world,

As they parted thence, with Kali— 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,

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.”