Book XXVI

There a month when he had sojourned--of king Bhima taking leave,
Guarded but by few attendants--to Nishadha took his way.
With a single splendid chariot--and with elephants sixteen,
And with fifty armed horsemen--and six hundred men on foot;
Making, as 'twere, earth to tremble--hastening onward, did the king,
Enter awful in his anger--and terrific in his speed.
Then the son of Virasena--to king Pushkara drew near;
"Play we once again," then said he--"much the wealth I have acquired:
All I have, even Damayanti--every treasure I possess,
Set I now upon the hazard--Pushkara, thy kingdom thou:
In the game once more contend we--'tis my settled purpose this,
Brother, at a single hazard--play we boldly for our lives.
From another he who treasures--he who mighty realm hath won,
'Tis esteemed a bounden duty--to play back the counter game.
If thou shrinkest from the hazard--be our game the strife of swords,
Meet we in the single combat--all our difference to decide.
An hereditary kingdom--may by any means be sought,
Be re-won by any venture--this the maxim of the wise.
Of two courses set before thee--Pushkara, the option make,
Or in play to stand the hazard--or in battle stretch the bow."
By Nishadha's lord thus challenged--Pushkara, with smile suppressed,
As secure of easy victory--answered to the lord of earth;
"Oh what joy! abundant treasures--thou hast won, again to play;
Oh what joy! of Damayanti--now the hard-won prize is mine:
Oh what joy! again thou livest--with thy consort, mighty armed!
With the wealth I win bedecked--soon shall Bhima's daughter stand,
By my side, as by great Indra--stands the Apsara in heaven.
Still on thee hath dwelt my memory--still I've waited, king, for thee;
In the play I find no rapture--but 'gainst kinsmen like thyself.
When this day the round-limbed princess--Damayanti, undespised,
I shall win, I rest contented--still within mine heart she dwells."
Hearing his contemptuous language--franticly thus pouring forth,
With his sword th' indignant Nala--fain had severed off his head.
But with haughty smile, with anger--glaring in his blood-red eyes,
"Play we now, nor talk we longer--conquered, thou'lt no longer talk."
Then of Pushkara the gaming--and of Nala straight began:
In a single throw by Nala--was the perilous venture gained;
Pushkara, his gold, his jewels--at one hazard all was won!
Pushkara, in play thus conquered--with a smile the king rejoined:
"Mine again is all this kingdom--undisturbed, its foes o'ercome.
Fallen king! Vidarbha's daughter--by thine eyes may ne'er be seen.
Thou art now, with all thy household--unto abject slavery sunk.
Not thyself achieved the conquest--that subdued me heretofore!
'Twas achieved by mightier Kali--that thou didst not, fool, perceive.
Yet my wrath, by him enkindled--will I not 'gainst thee direct;
Live thou henceforth at thy pleasure--freely I thy life bestow,
And of thine estate and substance--give I thee thy fitting share.
Such my pleasure, in thy welfare--hero, do I take delight,
And mine unabated friendship--never shall from thee depart.
Pushkara, thou art my brother--may'st thou live an hundred years!"
Nala thus consoled his brother--in his conscious power and strength,
Sent him home to his own city--once embracing, once again.
Pushkara, thus finding comfort--answered to Nishadha's lord,
Answered he to Punyasloka--bowing low with folded hands:
"Everlasting be thy glory! may'st thou live ten thousand years!
That my life to me thou grantest--and a city for mine home!"
Hospitably entertained--there a month when he had dwelt,
Joyful to his own proud city--Pushkara, with all his kin,
With a well-appointed army--of attendant slaves an host,
Shining like the sun departed,--in his full meridian orb.
Pushkara thus crowned with riches--thus unharmed, when he dismissed,
Entered then his royal city--with surpassing pomp, the king:
As he entered, to his subjects--Nala spake the words of peace.

* * * * *

From the city, from the country--all, with hair erect with joy,
Came, with folded hands addressed him--and the counsellors of state.
"Happy are we now, O monarch--in the city, in the fields,
Setting forth to do thee homage--as to Indra all the gods."
Then at peace the tranquil city--the first festal gladness o'er,
With a mighty host escorted--Damayanti brought he home.
Damayanti rich in treasures--in her father's blessings rich,
Glad dismissed the mighty-minded--Bhima, fearful in his strength.
With the daughter of Vidarbha--with his children in his joy,
Nala lived, as lives the sovereign--of the gods in Nandana.
Re-ascended thus to glory--he, among the kings of earth,
Ruled his realm in Jambudwipa--thus re-won, with highest fame;
And all holy rites performed he--with devout munificence.