Chapter 67

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After the snake had vanquished, Nala, the ruler of theNishadhas, proceeded, and on the tenth day entered the city of Rituparna.And he approached the king, saying, ‘My name is Vahuka. There is no onein this world equal to me in managing steeds. My counsel also should besought in matters of difficulty and in all affairs of skill. I alsosurpass others in the art of cooking. In all those arts that exists inthis world, and also in every thing difficult of accomplishment, I willstrive to attain success, O Rituparna, do thou maintain me.’ AndRituparna replied, ‘O Vahuka, stay with me! May good happen to thee. Thouwilt even perform all this. I have always particularly desired to bedriven fast. Do thou concert such measures that my steeds may becomefleet. I appoint thee the superintendent of my stables. Thy pay shall beten thousand (coins). Both Varshneya and Jivala shall always be under thydirection. Thou wilt live pleasantly in their company. Therefore, OVahuka, stay thou with me.'”

“Vrihadaswa continued, ‘Thus addressed by the king, Nala began to dwellin the city of Rituparna, treated with respect and with Varshneya andJivala as his companions. And residing there, the king (Nala),remembering the princess of Vidarbha, recited every evening the followingsloka: ‘Where lieth that helpless one afflicted with hunger and thirstand worn with toil, thinking of that wretch? And upon whom also doth shenow wait?’ And once as the king was reciting this in the night, Jivalaasked him saying, ‘O Vahuka, whom dost thou lament thus daily? I amcurious to hear it. O thou blest with length of days, whose spouse is shewhom thus lamentest?’ Thus questioned, king Nala answered him, saying, ‘Acertain person devoid of sense had a wife well-known to many. That wretchwas false in his promises. For some reason that wicked person wasseparated from her. Separated from her, that wretch wandered aboutoppressed with woe, and burning with grief he resteth not by day ornight. And at night, remembering her, he singeth this sloka. Havingwandered over the entire world, he hath at last found a refuge, andundeserving of the distress that hath befallen him, passeth his days,thus remembering his wife. When calamity had overtaken this man, his wifefollowed him into the woods. Deserted by that man of little virtue, herlife itself is in danger. Alone, without knowledge of ways, ill able tobear distress, and fainting with hunger and thirst, the girl can hardlyprotect her life. And, O friend, she hath been deserted by that man ofsmall fortune and having little sense, with the wide and terrible forest,ever abounding in beasts of prey’–

“Thus remembering Damayanti, the king of the Nishadhas continued to liveunknown in the abode of that monarch!”