Chapter 77

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Having passed that night, king Nala decked inornaments and with Damayanti by his side, presented himself in due timebefore the king. And Nala saluted his father-in-law with becominghumility and after him the fair Damayanti paid her respects to herfather. And the exalted Bhima, with great joy, received him as a son, andhonouring him duly along with his devoted wife, comforted them in properwords. And duly accepting the homage rendered unto him, king Nala offeredhis father-in-law his services as became him. And seeing Nala arrived,the citizens were in great joy. And there arose in the city a loud uproarof delight. And the citizens decorated the city with flags and standardsand garlands of flowers. And the streets were watered and decked infloral wreaths and other ornaments. And at their gates citizens piledflowers, and their temples and shrines were all adorned with flowers. AndRituparna heard that Vahuka had already been united with Damayanti. Andthe king was glad to hear of all this. And calling unto him king Nala, heasked his forgiveness. And the intelligent Nala also asked Rituparna’sforgiveness, showing diverse reasons. And that foremost of speakersversed in the truth, king Rituparna, after being thus honoured by Nala,said, with a countenance expressive of wonder, these words unto the rulerof the Nishadhas. ‘By good fortune it is that regaining the company ofthy own wife, thou hast obtained happiness. O Naishadha, while dwellingin disguise at my house, I hope I did not wrong thee in any way, O lordof the earth! If knowingly I have done thee any wrong, it behoveth theeto forgive me.’ Hearing this, Nala replied, ‘Thou hast not, O monarch,done me ever so little an injury. And if thou hast, it hath not awakenedmy ire, for surely thou shouldst be forgiven by me. Thou wert formerly myfriend, and, O ruler of men, thou art also related to me. Henceforth Ishall find greater delight in thee. O king, with all my desiresgratified, I lived happily in thy abode, in fact more happily there thanin my own house. This thy horse-lore is in my keeping. If thou wishest, Oking, I will make it over to thee.’ Saying this, Naishadha gave untoRituparna that science and the latter took it with the ordained rites.And, O monarch, the royal son of Bhangasura, having obtained themysteries of equestrian science and having given unto the ruler of theNaishadhas the mysteries of dice, went to his own city, employing anotherperson for his charioteer. And, O king, after Rituparna had gone, kingNala did not stay long in the city of Kundina!'”