th thy consort, mighty armed!
With the wealth I win bedecked--soon shall Bhima's daughter stand,
By my side, as by great Indra--stands the Apsara in heaven.[137]
Still on thee hath dwelt my memory--still I've waited, king, for thee;
In the play I find no rapture--but 'gainst kinsmen like thyself.
When this day the round-limbed princess--Damayanti, undespised,
I shall win, I rest contented--still within mine heart she dwells."
Hearing his contemptuous language--franticly thus pouring forth,
With his sword th' indignant Nala--fain had severed off his head.
But with haughty smile, with anger--glaring in his blood-red eyes,
"Play we now, nor talk we longer--conquered, thou'lt no longer talk."
Then of Pushkara the gaming--and of Nala straight began:
In a single throw by Nala--was the perilous venture gained;
Pushkara, his gold, his jewels--at one hazard all was won!
Pushkara, in play thus conquered--with a smile the king rejoined:
"Mine again is all this kingdom--undisturbed, its foes o'ercome.
Fallen king! Vidarbha's daughter--by thine eyes may ne'er be seen.
Thou art now, with all thy household--unto abject slavery sunk.
Not thyself achieved the conquest--that subdued me heretofore!
'Twas achieved by mightier Kali--that thou didst not, fool, perceive.
Yet my wrath, by him enkindled--will I not 'gainst thee direct;
Live thou henceforth at thy pleasure--freely I thy life bestow,
And of thine estate and substance--give I thee thy fitting share.
Such my pleasure, in thy welfare--hero, do I take delight,
And mine unabated friendship--never shall from thee depart.
Pushkara, thou art my brother--may'st thou live an hundred years!"
Nala thus consoled his brother--in his conscious power and strength,
Sent him home to his own city--once embracing, once again.
Pushkara, thus finding comfort--answered to Nishadha's lord,
Answered he to Punyasloka--bowing low with folded hands:
"Everlasting be thy glory! may'st thou live ten thousand years!
That my life to me thou grantest--and a city for mine home!"
Hospitably entertained--there a month when he had dwelt,
Joyful to his own proud city--Pushkara, with all his kin,
With a well-appointed army--of attendant slaves an host,
Shining like the sun departed,--in his full meridian orb.
Pushkara thus crowned with riches--thus unharmed, when he dism