dless forest--many a night I had not slept;
Then, when I had sunk to slumber--me the blameless leaving there,
Half my garment having severed--he his sinless consort fled;
Seeking him, my outcast husband--night and day am I consumed:
Him I see not, ever shining--like the lotus cup, beloved;
Find him not, most like th' immortals--lord of all, my life, my soul."
Even as thus, with eyes o'erflowing--uttered she her sad lament,
Sad herself, sad Bhima's daughter--did the mother queen address:
"Dwell with me, then, noble Lady--deep the joy in thee I feel,
And the servants of my household--shall thy royal husband seek;
Haply hither he may wander--as he roams about the world:
Dwelling here in peace and honour--thou thy husband wilt rejoin."
To the king of Chedi's mother--Damayanti made reply;
"On these terms, O nurse of heroes!--I with thee may make abode:
That I eat not broken victuals[100]--wash not feet with menial hand:[101]
Nor with stranger men have converse--in my chaste, secluded state;
If that any man demand me--be he punished; if again,
Be he put to death on th' instant--this the vow that I have sworn.
Only, if they seek my husband--holy Brahmins will I see.
Be my terms by thee accepted--gladly will I sojourn here,
But on other terms no sojourn--will this heart resolved admit."
Then to her with joyful spirit--spake the mother of the king:
"As thou wilt shall all be ordered--be thou blest, since such thy vow."
Speaking thus to Bhima's daughter--did the royal mother then,
In these words address her daughter--young Sunanda was her name:
"See this handmaid, my Sunanda--gifted with a form divine;
She in age thy lovely compeer--be she to thee as a friend;
Joined with her in sweet communion--take thy pleasure without fear."
Young Sunanda, all rejoicing--to her own abode went back,
Taking with her Damayanti--circled with her virgin peers.

BOOK XIV.

Damayanti when deserting--royal Nala fled, ere long
Blazing in the forest jungle--he a mighty fire beheld;
Thence as of a living being--from the midst a voice he heard:
"Hasten, Nala!" oft and loudly--"Punyasloka, haste," it cried.
"Fear thou not," king Nala answered--plunging in the ruddy flame;
There he saw the king of serpents--lying, coiled into a ring.
There with folded hands the serpent--trembling, thus to Nala spake: