BOOK XVIII.

Long the time that passed, a Brahmin — wise Parnada was his name,

Home returning to the city — thus to Bhima's daughter spake:

“Damayanti! royal Nala — as I sought Nishadha's king,

Came I to Ayodhya's city — the Bhangasuri's abode.

Stood before me, eager listening — to the words thou bad'st us speak,

He, the prosperous Rituparna — all excelling! such his name.

Thus as spake I, answered nothing — Rituparna, king of men;

Nor of all that full assemblage — more than once addressed by me.

By the king dismissed, when sate I — in a solitary place,

One of Rituparna's household — Vahuca, his name, drew near,

Charioteer of that great raja — with short arms and all deformed,

Skilled to drive the rapid chariot — skilled the viands to prepare.

He, when much he'd groaned in anguish — and had wept again, again,

First his courteous salutation — made, then spake in words like these:

Even in the extreme of misery — noble women still preserve,

Over their ownselves the mastery — by their virtues winning heaven;

Of their faithless lords abandoned — anger feel not even then.

In the breastplate of their virtue — noble women live unharmed.

By the wretched, by the senseless — by the lost to every joy,

She by such a lord forsaken — yet to anger will not yield.

Against him his sustenance seeking — of his robe by birds despoiled,

Him consumed with utmost misery — still no wrath the dark-hued feels;

Treated well, or ill entreated — when her husband she beholds,

Spoiled of bliss, bereft of kingdom — famine-wasted, worn with woe.

Having heard the stranger's language — hither hasted I to come.

Thou hast heard, be thine the judgment — to the king relate thou all.”

To Parnada having listened — with her eyes o'erflowed with tears,

Secretly went Damayanti — and her mother thus addressed:

“Let not what I speak to Bhima — O my mother, be made known —

In thy presence to Sudeva — best of Brahmins, I would speak.

Let not this my secret counsel — to king Bhima be disclosed;

This the object we must compass — if thy daughter thou wouldst please,

As myself was to my kindred — swiftly by Sudeva brought,

With the same good fortune swiftly — may Sudeva part from hence,

Home to bring the royal Nala — mother, to Ayodhya's town.”

Resting from his toil, Parnada — of the Brahmin race the best,

Did the daughter of Vidarbha — honour, and with wealth reward.

“Brahmin! home if come my Nala — richer guerdon will I give;

Much hast thou achieved, and wisely — so as none but thou has done.

That again with my lost husband — noblest Brahmin, I may meet.”

Thus addressed, his grateful homage — and his benedictions paid,

Having thus achieved his mission — home the wise Parnada went.

Then accosting good Sudeva — Damayanti thus began,

And before her mother's presence — in her pain and grief she spake:

“Go, Sudeva, to the city — where Ayodhya's raja dwells,

Speak thou thus to Rituparna — Come, as of thine own accord.

Once again her Swayembara — does king Bhima's daughter hold;

Damayanti, thither hasten — all the kings and sons of kings;

Closely now the time is reckoned — when to-morrow's dawn appears;

If that thou would'st win the Princess — speed thou, tamer of thy foes.

When the sun is in his rising — she a second lord will choose:

Whether lives or is not living — royal Nala, no one knows.”

Thus, as he received his mission — hastening to the king, he spake,

To the royal Rituparna — spake Sudeva, in these words.