Chapter 75

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Hearing everything, Damayanti became oppressed withgrief, and suspecting the person to be Nala, said unto Kesini, ‘O Kesini,go thou again, and examine Vahuka, and staying in silence at his sidemark thou his conduct. And, O beauteous one, whenever he happens to doanything skilful, do thou observe well his act while accomplishing it.And, O Kesini, whenever he may ask water or fire, with the view ofoffering him obstruction, thou shalt be in no hurry to give it. Andmarking everything about his behaviour, come thou and tell me. Andwhatever human or super-human thou seest in Vahuka, together withanything else, should all be reported unto me.’ And thus addressed byDamayanti, Kesini went away, and having marked the conduct of that personversed in horse-lore, she came back. And she related unto Damayanti allthat had happened, indeed, everything of human and superhuman that shehad witnessed in Vahuka. And Kesini said, ‘O Damayanti, a person of suchcontrol over the elements I have never before seen or heard of. Wheneverhe cometh to low passage, he never stoopeth down, but seeing him, thepassage itself groweth in height so that he may pass through it easily.And at his approach, impassable narrow holes open wide. King Bhima hadsent various kinds of meat–of diverse animals, for Rituparna’s food. Andmany vessels had been placed there for washing the meat. And as he lookedupon them, those vessels became filled (with water). And having washedthe meat, as he set himself to cook, he took up a handful of grass andheld it in the sun, when fire blazed up all on a sudden. Beholding thismarvel, I have come hither amazed. Further, I have witnessed in himanother great wonder. O beauteous one, he touched fire and was not burnt.And at his will, water falling floweth in a stream. And, I have witnessedanother greater wonder still. He took up some flowers, began to pressthem slowly with his hands. And pressed by his hand, the flowers did notlose their original forms, but, on the contrary, became gayer and moreodorous than before. Having beheld wonderful things I have come hitherwith speed.'”

“Vrihadaswa continued, ‘Hearing of these acts of the virtuous Nala, anddiscovering him from his behaviour, Damayanti considered him as alreadyrecovered. And from these indications suspecting that Vahuka was herhusband, Damayanti once more weepingly addressed Kesini in soft words,saying, ‘O beauteous one, go thou once more, and bring from the kitchenwithout Vahuka’s knowledge some meat that hath been boiled and dressed(by him).’ Thus commanded, Kesini, ever bent on doing what was agreeableto Damayanti, went to Vahuka, and taking some hot meat came back withoutloss of time. And Kesini gave that meat, O son of the Kuru race, untoDamayanti. And Damayanti who had formerly often partaken of meat dressedby Nala, tasted the meat that was brought by her hand-maid. And shethereupon decided Vahuka to be Nala and wept aloud in grief of heart.And, O Bharata, overwhelmed with grief, and washing her face, she senther two children with Kesini. And Vahuka, who was the king in disguise,recognising Indrasena with her brother, advanced hastily, and embracingthem, took them up on his lap. And taking up his children like unto thechildren of the celestials, he began to weep aloud in sonorous accents,his heart oppressed with great sorrow. And after having repeatedlybetrayed his agitation, Naishadha suddenly left children, and addressedKesini, saying, ‘O fair damsel, these twins are very like my ownchildren. Beholding them unexpectedly, I shed tears. If thou comest to mefrequently people may think evil, for we are guests from another land.Therefore. O blessed one, go at thy ease.'”