h his double blessing gave.[51]
Thus bestowed their gracious favours--to the heavens the gods returned;
And the rajas, who with wonder--Nala's marriage saw confirmed
With the gentle Damayanti--as they came, in joy returned.
Thus the kings of earth departed;--Bhima in his joy and pride,
Solemnized the stately bridals--of the maiden and the king.
Fitting time when there he'd sojourned,--best of men, Nishadha's king;
Courteous parting with king Bhima--to his native city went.
Having gained the pearl of women--the majestic lord of earth
Lived in bliss, as with his Sachi,[52]--he that those old giants slew.
In his joy the elated monarch--shining radiant as the sun,
Ruled the subjects of his kingdom--with a just and equal sway.
Of the horse the famous offering[53]--like Nahucha's mighty son,
Every sacrifice performed he--with rich gifts to holy men.
And full oft in flowering gardens--and delicious shady groves,
Like a god, the royal Nala--took with Damayanti joy.
So begat from Damayanti--Nala, of heroic soul,
Indrasena one fair daughter--Indrasen one beauteous son.
Thus in sacrifice and pleasance--took his joy the king of men,
So the earth with riches teeming--ruled the sovereign of the earth.

BOOK VI.

Nala, chosen by Bhima's daughter--the bright guardians of the world,
As they parted thence, with Kali[54]--Dwapara approaching saw.
Kali as he saw, did Indra--did the giant-killer say,
"Here, with Dwapara attended--whither, Kali, dost thou go?"
Kali spake, "the Swayembara--we of Damayanti seek;
Her I go to make my consort--into her mine heart hath passed."
"Closed and ended is that bridal,"--Indra answered with a smile,
"Nala she hath chosen for husband--in the presence of us all."
Thus addressed by Indra, Kali--in the transport of his wrath,
All the heavenly gods saluting,--thus his malediction spake,
"Since before the Immortals' presence--she a mortal spouse did choose,
Of her impious crime most justly--heavy be the penal doom."
Kali hardly thus had spoken--than the heaven-born gods replied:
"With our full and liberal sanction--Damayanti chose her lord.
Who to Nala, with all virtue--rich endowed, would not incline?
He that rightly knows each duty--he who ever rightly acts,
He who reads the whole four Vedas--the Puranas too the fifth,[55]
In his palace with pure offeri