.
To attest this truth, O monarch!--thus I touch thy sacred feet;
Even in heart have I committed--never evil thought 'gainst thee.
He through all the world that wanders--witness the all-seeing wind,[135]
Let him now of life bereave me--if in this 'gainst thee I've sinned:
And the sun that moveth ever--over all the world, on high,
Let him now of life bereave me--if in this 'gainst thee I've sinned.
Witness, too, the moon that permeates--every being's inmost thought;
Let her too of life bereave me--if in this 'gainst thee I've sinned.
These three gods are they that govern--these three worlds, so let them
speak;
This my sacred truth attest they--or this day abandon me."
Thus adjured, a solemn witness--spake the wind from out the air;
"She hath done or thought no evil--Nala, 'tis the truth we speak:
King, the treasure of her virtue--well hath Damayanti kept,
We ourselves have seen and watched her--closely for three livelong years.
This her subtle wile she plotted--only for thy absent sake,
For beside thyself no mortal--might a hundred Yojanas drive.
Thou hast met with Bhima's daughter--Bhima's daughter meets with thee,
Cast away all jealous scruple--to thy bosom take thy wife."
Even as thus the wind was speaking--flowers fell showering all
around:[136]
And the gods sweet music sounded--on the zephyr floating light.
As on this surpassing wonder--royal Nala stood and gazed,
Of the blameless Damayanti--melted all his jealous doubts.
Then by dust all undefiled--he the heavenly vest put on,
Thought upon the King of Serpents--and his proper form resumed.
In his own proud form her husband--Bhima's royal daughter saw,
Loud she shrieked, the undespised--and embraced the king of men.
Bhima's daughter, too, king Nala--shining glorious as of old,
Clasped unto his heart, and fondled--gently that sweet infant pair.
Then her face upon his bosom--as the lovely princess laid,
In her calm and gentle sorrow--softly sighed the long-eyed queen:
He, that form still mire-defiled--as he clasped with smile serene,
Long the king of men stood silent--in the ecstacy of woe.
All the tale of Damayanti--and of Nala all the tale,
To king Bhima in her transport--told Vidarbha's mother-queen.
Then replied that mighty monarch--"Nala, his ablutions done,
Thus rejoined to Damayanti--I to-morrow w