Chapter 71

“Vrihadaswa continued, ‘Having heard the words of Sudeva king Rituparna,soothing Vahuka with gentle words, said, ‘O Vahuka, thou art well-skilledin training and guiding horses. If it pleases thee, I intend to go toDamayanti’s Swayamvara in course of a single day.’ Thus addressed, O sonof Kunti, by that king, Nala felt his heart to be bursting in grief. Andthe high-souled king seemed to burn in sorrow. And he thought withinhimself, ‘Perhaps Damayanti in doing this is blinded by sorrow. Or,perhaps, she hath conceived this magnificent scheme for my sake. Alas,cruel is the deed that the innocent princess of Vidarbha intends to do,having been deceived by my sinful and low self of little sense. It isseen in the world that the nature of woman is inconstant. My offence alsohath been great; perhaps she is acting so, because she hath no longer anylove for me owing to my separation from her. Indeed, that girl of slenderwaist, afflicted with grief on my account and with despair, will notcertainly do anything of the kind, when especially, she is the mother ofoffspring (by me). However whether this is true or false, I shallascertain with certitude by going thither. I will, therefore, accomplishRituparna’s and my own purpose also.’ Having resolved thus in his mind,Vahuka, with his heart in sorrow, spake unto king Rituparna, with joinedhands, saying, ‘O monarch, I bow to thy behest, and, O tiger among men, Iwill go to the city of the Vidarbhas in a single day. O king!’ Then, Omonarch, at the command of the royal son of Bhangasura, Vahuka went tothe stables and began to examine the horses. And repeatedly urged byRituparna to make haste, Vahuka after much scrutiny and carefuldeliberation, selected some steeds that were lean-fleshed, yet strong andcapable of a long journey and endued with energy and strength of highbreed and docility, free from inauspicious marks, with wide nostrils andswelling cheeks, free from faults as regards the ten hairy curls, born in(the country of) Sindhu, and fleet as the winds. And seeing those horses,the king said somewhat angrily, ‘What is this, that thou wishest to do?Thou shouldst not jest with us. How can these horses of mine, weak instrength and breath, carry us? And how shall we be able to go this longway by help of these?’ Vahuka replied, ‘Each of these horses bears onecurl on his forehead, two on his temples, four on his sides, four on hischest, and one on his back. Without doubt, these steeds will be able togo to the country of the Vidarbhas. If, O king, thou thinkest of choosingothers, point them out and I shall yoke them for thee.’ Rituparnarejoined, ‘O Vahuka, thou art versed in the science of horses and artalso skillful (in guiding them). Do thou speedily yoke those that thouthinkest to be able.’ Thereupon the skillful Nala yoked upon the car fourexcellent steeds of good breed that were, besides, docile and fleet. Andafter the steeds had been yoked, the king without loss of time mountedupon the car, when those best of horses fell down upon the ground ontheir knees. Then, O king, that foremost of men, the blessed king Nalabegan to soothe horses endued with energy and strength. And raising themup with the reins and making the charioteer Varshneya sit on the car, heprepared to set out with great speed. And those best of steeds, dulyurged by Vahuka, rose to the sky, confounding the occupant of thevehicle. And beholding those steeds gifted with the speed of the windthus drawing the car, the blessed king of Ayodhaya was exceedinglyamazed. And noticing the rattle of the car and also the management of thesteeds, Varshneya reflected upon Vahuka’s skill in guiding horses. And hethought, ‘Is he Matali, the charioteer of the king of the celestials? Ifind the same magnificent indications in the heroic Vahuka. Or, hathSalihotra versed in the science of horses taken this human shape sobeautiful? Or, is it king Nala the reducer of hostile towns that hathcome here? Or, it may be that this Vahuka knoweth the science that Nalaknoweth, for I perceive that the knowledge of Vahuka is equal to that ofNala. Further, Vahuka and Nala are of the same age. This one, again, maynot be Nala of high prowess, but somebody of equal knowledge. Illustriouspersons, however, walk this earth in disguise in consequence ofmisfortune, or agreeably to the ordinance of the scriptures. That thisperson is of unsightly appearance need not change my opinion; for Nala, Ithink, may even be despoiled of his personal features. In respect of agethis one equals Nala. There is difference, however, in personalappearance. Vahuka, again is endued with every accomplishment. I think,therefore, he is Nala.’ Having thus reasoned long in his mind, O mightymonarch, Varshneya, the (former) charioteer of the righteous Nala, becameabsorbed in thought. And that foremost of kings Rituparna, also,beholding the skill of Vahuka in equestrian science experienced greatdelight, along with his charioteer Varshneya. And thinking of Vahuka’sapplication and ardour and the manner of his holding the reins, the kingfelt exceedingly glad.'”