BOOK XXIII.
Hearing this, fair Damayanti--all abandoned to her grief.
Thinking still that he was Nala--to Kesinia spake again.
"Go, Kesinia, go, examine--Vahuca, and all his acts, Silent take thy stand beside him--and observe whate'er he does; Nor, Kesinia, be there given him--fire his labours to assist: Neither be there given him water--in thy haste, at his demand: All, when thou hast well observed him--every act to me repeat, Every act that more than mortal--seems in Vahuca, relate." Thus addressed by Damayanti--straight Kesinia went again, Of the tamer of the horses--every act observed, came back; Every act as she had seen it--she to Damayanti told: Every more than mortal wonder--that in Vahuca appeared.
KESINIA _spake_.
"Very holy is he, never--mortal man, in all my life, Have I seen, or have I heard of--Damayanti, like to him.
He drew near the lowly entrance--bowed not down his stately head; On the instant, as it saw him--up th' expanding portal rose.
For the use of Rituparna--much and various viands came;[131] Sent, as meet, by royal Bhima--and abundant animal food.
These to cleanse, with meet ablution--were capacious vessels brought; As he looked on them, the vessels--stood, upon the instant, full.
Then, the meet ablutions over--Vahuca went forth, and took, Of the withered grass a handful--held it upward to the sun: On the instant, brightly blazing--shone the all-consuming fire.
Much I marvelled at the wonder--and in mute amazement stood; Lo, a second greater marvel--sudden burst upon my sight! He that blazing fire stood handling--yet unharmed, unburned, remained.
At his will flows forth the water--at his will it sinks again.
And another greater wonder--lady, did I there behold: He the flowers which he had taken--gently moulded in his hands, In his hands the flowers, so moulded--as with freshening life endued, Blossomed out with richer fragrance--stood erect upon their stems: All these marvels having noted--swiftly came I back to thee." DAMAYANTI _spake_.
Damayanti when these wonders--of the king of men she heard, Thought yet more king Nala present--thought her utmost wish achieved.
Deeming still her royal consort--in the form of Vahuca, With a gentle voice and weeping--to Kesinia spake again: "Go, again, Kesinia, secret--and by Vahuca unseen, Of those viands bring a portion--by his skilful hand prepared:" She to Vahuca approaching--unperceived stole soft away Of the well-cooked meat a morsel--warm she bore it in her haste, And to Damayanti gave it--fair Kesinia, undelayed.
Of the food prepared by Nala--well the flavour did she know; Tasting it she shrieked in transport--"Nala is yon charioteer." Trying then a new emotion--of her mouth ablution made:[132] She her pair of infant children--with Kesinia sent to him.
Soon as he young Indrasena--and her little brother saw, Up he sprang, his arms wound round them--to his bosom folding both; When he gazed upon the children--like the children of the gods, All his heart o'erflowed with pity--and unwilling tears broke forth.
Yet Nishadha's lord perceiving--she his strong emotion marked, From his hold released the children--to Kesinia speaking thus: "Oh! so like mine own twin children--was yon lovely infant pair, Seeing them thus unexpected--have I broken out in tears: If so oft thou comest hither--men some evil will suspect, We within this land are strangers--beauteous maiden, part in peace.".