Chapter 1

Lived of yore, a raja, Nala,--Virasena's mighty son, Gifted he with every virtue,--beauteous, skilled in taming steeds: Head of all the kings of mortals--like the monarch of the gods, Over, over all exalted[1]--in his splendour like the sun: Holy, deep-read in the Vedas[2]--in Nishadha lord of earth;[3] Loving dice, of truth unblemished[4]--chieftain of a mighty host. The admired of noble women--generous, with each sense subdued.[5] Guardian of the state; of archers--best, a present Manu[6] he. So there dwelt in high Vidarbha[7]--Bhima, terrible in strength,[8] With all virtues blest, but childless--long for children had he pined. Many an holy act, on offspring[9]--still intent, had he performed. To his court there came a Brahmin,--Damana the seer was named. Him the child-desiring Bhima--in all duties skilled, received, Feasted with his royal consort--in his hospitable hall.[10] Pleased on him the grateful Daman,--and his queen a boon bestowed, One sweet girl, the pearl of maidens--and three fair and noble sons. Damayanti, Dama Danta--and illustrious Damana, Richly gifted with all virtues--mighty, fearful in their might. Damayanti with her beauty--with her brilliance, brightness, grace, Through the worlds unrivalled glory--won the slender-waisted maid. Her, arrived at bloom of beauty,--sate a hundred slaves around, And a hundred virgin handmaids--as around great Indra's queen.[11] In her court shone Bhima's daughter--decked with every ornament, Mid her handmaids, like the lightning[12]--shone she with her faultless form;[13] Like the long-eyed queen of beauty--without rival, without peer. Never mid the gods immortal--never mid the Yaksha race,[14] Nor 'mong men was maid so lovely--ever heard of, ever seen, As the soul-disturbing maiden--that disturbed the souls of gods. Nala too, 'mong kings the tiger[15]--peerless among earthly men, Like Kandarpa in his beauty[16]--like that bright-embodied God. All around Vidarbha's princess--praised they Nala in their joy. Ever praised they Damayanti--round Nishadha's noble king. Hearing so each others virtues--all unseen they 'gan to love. Thus of each, O son of Kunti,[17]--the deep silent passion grew. Nala, in his heart impatient--longer that deep love to bear, To the grove, in secret, wandered--by the palace' inmost court. There the swans he saw disporting[18]--with their wings bedropped with gold: Through the grove thus lightly moving--one of these bright birds he caught. But the bird, in human language--thus the wondering king addressed: "Slay me not, O gentle monarch!--I will do thee service true; So in Damayanti's presence--will I praise Nishadha's king, Never after shall the maiden--think of mortal man but thee." Thus addressed, at once the monarch--let the bright-winged bird depart. Flew away the swans rejoicing--to Vidarbha straight they flew; To Vidharba's stately city:--there by Damayanti's feet, Down with drooping plumes they settled--and she gazed upon the flock, Wondering at their forms so graceful--where amid her maids she sate. Sportively began the damsels--all around to chase the birds; Scattering flew the swans before them--all about the lovely grove. Lightly ran the nimble maidens,--every one her bird pursued; But the swan that through the forest--gentle Damayanti chased, Suddenly, in human language--spake to Damayanti thus.-- "Damayanti, in Nishadha--Nala dwells, the noble king-- Like the Aswinas in beauty,[19]--peerless among men is he. O incomparable princess--to this hero wert thou wed, Noble birth and perfect beauty--not unworthy fruit had borne. Gods, Gandharvas,[20] men, the Serpents,[21]--and the Rakshasas[22] we've seen, All we've seen--of noble Nala--never have we seen the peer. Pearl art thou among all women--Nala is the pride of men. If the peerless wed the peerless--blessed must the union be." When the bird thus strangely speaking--gentle Damayanti heard, Answered thus the wondering maiden--"Thus to Nala, speak thou too." "Be it so," replied the egg-born--to Vidarbha's beauteous maid. Home then flew he to Nishadha--and to Nala told it all.