BOOK XVII.

“In Vidarbha the just monarch — Bhima, in his glory dwells.

Of that king is she the daughter — Damayanti is her name;

And the raja of Nishadha — Nala, Virasena's son,

Of that king is she the consort — Punyasloka named, the Wise.

Him in play his brother worsted — spoiled of realm the king of earth:

He set forth with Damayanti — whither is unknown of men.

For the sake of Damayanti — wander we about the earth;

Till I found yon noble woman — in the palace of your son.

Like to her of mortal women — is there none, her beauty's peer;

In the midst, between her eyebrows — from her birth a lovely mole,

Dark was seen, and like a lotus — that hath vanished from my sight,

Covered over with defilement — like the moon behind a cloud.

This soft mark of perfect beauty — fashioned thus by Brahma's self,

As at change the moon's thin crescent — only dim and faintly gleams.

Yet her beauty is not faded — clouded o'er with toil and mire

Though she be, it shines apparent, like the native unwrought gold.

With that beauteous form yon woman — gifted with that lovely mole,

Instant knew I for the Princess — as the heat betrays the fire.”

To Sudeva as she listened — uttering thus his strange discourse:

All the dust that mole concealing — young Sunanda washed away.

By the obscuring dust unclouded — shining out that mole appeared;

On the brow of Damayanti — like the unclouded moon in heaven.

Gazing on that mole, Sunanda — and the mother of the king,

Wept as fondly they embraced her — and an instant silent stood.

Then her tears awhile suppressing — thus the royal mother spake:

“Thou art mine own sister's daughter — by that beauteous mole made known;

I, Oh beauteous, and thy mother — of that lofty-minded king,

Are the daughters, king Sudaman — he that in Dasarnareigns;

She was wedded to king Bhima — and to Viravahu I.

In my fathers home, Dasarna — once I saw thee, newly born.

As to me thy father's lineage — is akin, so mine to thee;

Whatsoe'er my power commandeth — Damayanti, all is thine.”

To the queen did Damayanti — in the gladness of her heart,

Having bowed in courteous homage — to her mother's sister, speak:

“While unknown I might continue — gladly dwelt I here with thee;

Every want supplied on th’ instant — guarded by thy gentle care.

Yet than even this pleasant dwelling — a more pleasant may there be;

Long a banished woman, mother!— give me leave from hence to part,

Thither where my infant children — dwell my tender little ones,

Orphaned of their sire, in sorrow — orphaned, ah, how long of me!

If thou yet wilt grant a favour — o'er all other favours dear,

To Vidarbha would I journey — quick the palanquin command.”

“Be it so,” her mother's sister — joyful, instant made reply.

Guarded by a mighty army — with th’ approval of her son,

Sent the queen, that happy lady — in a palanquin, by men

Borne aloft, and well provided — with all raiment, drink, and food.

Thus the princess to Vidarbha — after brief delay returned.

Her her whole assembled kindred — welcomed home with pride and joy,

All in health she found her kinsmen-and that lovely infant pair,

With her mother, with her father — and her sister troop of friends.

To the gods she paid her worship — to the Brahmins in her joy;

So the queenly Damayanti — all in noblest guise performed.

And her royal sire Sudeva — with the thousand kine made glad,

Joyous to behold his daughter,— with a village and much wealth.

There, when in her father's palace — she the quiet night had passed,

In these words the noble lady — to her mother gan to speak:

“If in life thou would'st preserve me — mother, hear the truth I speak;

Home to bring the hero Nala — be it now thy chiefest toil.”

Thus addressed by Damayanti — very sorrowful the queen

Clouded all her face with weeping — not a word in answer spake.

But the princess, thus afflicted — when the female train beheld,

“Woe! oh woe!” they shrieked together — all in pitying sadness wept.

To the mighty raja Bhima — did the queen that speech relate.

“‘ Damayanti, Lo thy daughter — for her husband sits and mourns.’

Breaking through all bashful silence — thus, oh king, to me she spake:

‘ Be it now thy servants’ business — to find out the king of men.’”

Urged by her the king his Brahmins — to his will obedient all,

Sent around to every region — “Be your care the king to find.”

Then those Brahmins at the mandate — of Vidarbha's royal lord,

First drew near to Damayanti — “Lo, now set we forth,” they said.

Then to them spake Bhima's daughter — “In all realms be this your speech,

Wheresoever men assemble — this repeat again, again:

Whither went'st thou then, oh gamester!— half my garment severing off,

Leaving me within the forest — all forsaken, thy beloved.

Even as thou commandedst, sits she — sadly waiting thy return.

Parched with sorrow sits that woman — in her scant half garment glad.

Oh to her thus ever weeping — in the extreme of her distress,

Grant thy pity, noble hero — answer to her earnest prayer.

Be this also said, to move him — to compassionate my state,

( By the wind within the forest — fanned, intensely burns the fire ).

Ever by her consort cherished — and sustained the wife should be.

Why hast thou forgot that maxim — thou in every duty skilled.

Thou wert ever called the generous — thou the gentle and the wise.

Art thou now estranged from pity — through my sad injurious fate.

Prince of men, O grant thy pity — grant it, lord of men, to me;

‘ Mercy is the chief of duties,’ — oft from thine own lips I've heard.

Thus as ye are ever speaking — should there any one reply,

Mark him well, lest he be Nala — who he is, and where he dwells.

He who to this speech hath listened — and hath thus his answer made,

Be his words, O best of Brahmins — treasured and brought home to me,

Lest he haply should discover — that by my command ye speak,

That again ye may approach him — do ye this without delay.

Whether he be of the wealthy — whether of the poor he be;

Be he covetous of riches — learn ye all he would desire.”

Thus addressed, went forth the Brahmins — to the realms on every side,

Seeking out the royal Nala — in his dark concealed distress.

They through royal cities, hamlets — pastoral dwellings, hermits’ cells,

Nala every-where went seeking — yet those Brahmins found him not.

All in every part went speaking — in the language they were taught;

In the words of Damayanti — spake they in the ears of men.