BOOK III.
Nala made his solemn promise,--"all your bidding will I do;" Then with folded hands adoring--humbly of their will enquired.
"Who are ye?
to whom must Nala--as your welcome herald go?
What is my commanded service ?--tell me, mighty gods, the truth." Spake the sovereign of Nishadha--Indra answered thus and said:-- "Know us, the Immortals, hither--come for Damayanti's love.
Indra I, and yon is Agni,--and the king of waters there-- Slayer he of mortal bodies,--Yama, too, is here, O king! Thou, O Nala, of our coming,--must to Damayanti tell: Thee to see, the world's dread guardians--Indra and the rest came down, Indra, Agni, Varun, Yama,--each to seek thine hand are come.
One of these celestial beings,--choose, O maiden, for thy lord." Nala, thus addressed by Indra--with his folded hands replied: "Thus with one accord commanding--on this mission send not me.
How can man, himself enamoured--for another plead his cause?
Spare me then, ye gods, in mercy--this unwelcome service, spare." THE GODS _spake_.
"I will do your bidding freely--thus thou'st said, Nishadha's king; Wilt thou now belie thy promise ?--Nala, go, nor more delay." By the gods adjured so sternly--thus rejoined Nishadha's king-- "Strictly guarded is yon palace--how may I find entrance there ?" "Thou shalt enter;" thus did Indra--to the unwilling king reply.
In the bower of Damayanti--as they spake, king Nala stood.
There he saw Vidarbha's maiden--girt with all her virgin bands; In her glowing beauty shining--all excelling in her form; Every limb in smooth proportion--slender waist and lovely eyes; Even the moon's soft gleam disdaining--in her own o'erpowering light.
As he gazed, his love grew warmer--to the softly smiling maid, Yet to keep his truth, his duty--all his passion he suppressed.
Then Nishadha's king beholding--all those maids with beauteous limbs From their seats sprang up in wonder--at his matchless form amazed.
In their rapture to king Nala--all admiring, homage paid; Yet, not venturing to accost him,--in their secret souls adored.
"Oh the beauty! oh the splendour!--oh the mighty hero's strength! Who is he, or God, or Yaksha--or Gandharba may he be." Not one single word to utter,--dared that fair-limbed maiden band; All struck dumb before his beauty--in their bashful silence stood.
Smiling, first, upon the monarch--as on her he gently smiled, Damayanti, in her wonder--to the hero Nala spake:-- "Who art thou of form so beauteous--thou that wakenest all my love; Cam'st thou here like an immortal--I would know thee, sinless chief.
How hast entered in our palace ?--how hast entered all unseen?
Watchful are our chamber wardens--stern the mandate of the king." By the maiden of Vidarbha--Nala thus addressed, replied:-- "Know, O loveliest, I am Nala--here the messenger of gods, Gods desirous to possess thee;--one of these, the lord of heaven Indra, Agni, Varun, Yama,--choose thou, princess, for thy lord.
Through their power, their power almighty--I have entered here unseen; As I entered in thy chamber--none hath seen, and none might stay.
This, the object of my mission,--fairest, from the highest gods, Thou hast heard me, noble princess--even as thou wilt, decide.".