Book I

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--in his splendour like the sun:
Holy, deep-read in the Vedas--in Nishadha lord of earth;
Loving dice, of truth unblemished--chieftain of a mighty host.
The admired of noble women--generous, with each sense subdued.
Guardian of the state; of archers--best, a present Manu he.
So there dwelt in high Vidarbha--Bhima, terrible in strength,
With all virtues blest, but childless--long for children had he pined.
Many an holy act, on offspring--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.
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.
In her court shone Bhima's daughter--decked with every ornament,
Mid her handmaids, like the lightning--shone she with her faultless
form;
Like the long-eyed queen of beauty--without rival, without peer.
Never mid the gods immortal--never mid the Yaksha race,
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--peerless among earthly men,
Like Kandarpa in his beauty--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,--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--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,--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, men, the Serpents,--and the Rakshasas 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.