BOOK XXI.

With the evening in Vidarbha — men at watch, as they drew near,

Mighty Rituparna's coming — to king Bhima did proclaim.

Then that king, by Bhima's mandate — entered in Kundina's walls,

All the region round him echoing— with the thunders of his car.

But the echoing of that chariot — when king Nala's horses heard,

In their joy they pawed and trampled— even as Nala's self were there.

Damayanti, too, the rushing — of king Nala's chariot heard.

As a cloud that hoarsely thunders — at the coming of the rains.

All her heart was thrilled with wonder — at that old familiar sound.

On they seemed to come, as Nala — drove of yore his trampling steeds:

Like it seemed to Bhima's daughter — and e'en so to Nala's steeds.

On the palace roofs the peacocks — th’ elephants within their stalls,

And the horses heard the rolling — of the mighty monarch's car.

Elephants and peacocks hearing — the fleet chariot rattling on,

Up they raised their necks and clamoured — as at sound of coming rain.

“How the rolling of yon chariot — filling, as it seems, th’ earth,

Thrills my soul with unknown transport — it is Nala, king of men.

If this day I see not Nala — with his glowing moonlike face,

Him, the king with countless virtues — I shall perish without doubt.

If this day within th’ embraces — of that hero's clasping arms,

I the gentle pressure feel not — without doubt I shall not live.

If‘ tis not, like cloud of thunder — he that comes, Nishadha's king,

I this day the fire will enter — burning like the hue of gold.

In his might like the strong lion — like the raging elephant,

Comes he not, the prince of princes — I shall perish without doubt.

Not a falsehood I remember — I remember no offence;

Not an idle word remember — in his noble converse free.

Lofty, patient, like a hero — liberal beyond all kings,

Nought ignoble, as the eunuch — even in private, may he do.

As I think upon his virtues — as I think by day, by night,

All my heart is rent with anguish — widowed of in own beloved.”

Thus lamenting, she ascended — as with frenzied mind possessed,

To the palace roof's high terrace — to behold the king of men.

In the middle court high seated — in the car, the lord of earth,

Rituparna with Varshneya — and with Vahuca she saw,

When Varshneya from that chariot — and when Vahuca came down,

He let loose those noble coursers — and he stopped the glowing car.

From that chariot-seat descended — Rituparna, king of men,

To the noble monarch Bhima — he drew near, for strength renowned.

Him received with highest honour — Bhima, for without due cause,

Deemed not he, the mighty raja — with such urgent speed had come.

“Wherefore com'st thou! hail and welcome” — thus that gracious king enquires;

For his daughter's sake he knew not — that the lord of men had come.

But the raja Rituparna — great in wisdom as in might,

When nor king within the palace — nor king's son he could behold,

Nor of Swayembara heard he — nor assembled Brahmins saw.

Thus within his mind deep pondering — spoke of Kosala the lord.

“Hither, O majestic Bhima — to salute thee am I come.”

But king Bhima smiled in secret — as he thought within his mind,

“What the cause of this far journey — of a hundred Yojanas.

Passing through so many cities — for this cause he set not forth;

For this cause of little moment — to our court he hath not come:

What the real cause, hereafter — haply I may chance to know.”

After royal entertainment — then the king his guest dismissed:

“Take then thy repose,” thus said he — “weary of thy journey, rest.”

He refreshed, with courteous homage — of that courteous king took leave,

Ushered by the royal servants — to th’ appointed chamber went:

There retired king Rituparna — with Varshneya in his suite.

Vahuca, meantime, the chariot — to the chariot-house had led,

There the coursers he unharnessed — skilfully he dressed them there,

And with gentle words caressed them — on the chariot seat sate down.

But the woeful Damayanti — when Bhangasuri she'd seen,

And the charioteer Varshneya — and the seeming Vahuca,

Thought within Vidarbha's princess — “Whose was that fleet chariot's sound?

Such it seems as noble Nala's — yet no Nala do I see.

Hath the charioteer Varshneya — Nala's noble science learned?

Therefore did the thundering chariot — sound as driven by Nala's self?

Or may royal Rituparna — like the skilful Nala drive,

Therefore did the rolling chariot — seem as of Nishadha's king?”

Thus when Damayanti pondered — in the silence of her soul,

Sent she then her beauteous handmaid — to that king her messenger.