To Sudeva as she listened--uttering thus his strange discourse:
All the dust that mole concealing--young Sunanda washed away.
By the obscuring dust unclouded--shining out that mole appeared;
On the brow of Damayanti--like the unclouded moon in heaven.
Gazing on that mole, Sunanda--and the mother of the king,
Wept as fondly they embraced her--and an instant silent stood.
Then her tears awhile suppressing--thus the royal mother spake:
"Thou art mine own sister's daughter--by that beauteous mole made known;
I, Oh beauteous, and thy mother--of that lofty-minded king,
Are the daughters, king Sudaman--he that in Dasarna[116] reigns;
She was wedded to king Bhima--and to Viravahu I.
In my fathers home, Dasarna--once I saw thee, newly born.
As to me thy father's lineage--is akin, so mine to thee;
Whatsoe'er my power commandeth--Damayanti, all is thine."
To the queen did Damayanti--in the gladness of her heart,
Having bowed in courteous homage--to her mother's sister, speak:
"While unknown I might continue--gladly dwelt I here with thee;
Every want supplied on th' instant--guarded by thy gentle care.
Yet than even this pleasant dwelling--a more pleasant may there be;
Long a banished woman, mother!--give me leave from hence to part,
Thither where my infant children--dwell my tender little ones,
Orphaned of their sire, in sorrow--orphaned, ah, how long of me!
If thou yet wilt grant a favour--o'er all other favours dear,
To Vidarbha would I journey--quick the palanquin command."
"Be it so," her mother's sister--joyful, instant made reply.
Guarded by a mighty army--with th' approval of her son,
Sent the queen, that happy lady--in a palanquin, by men
Borne aloft, and well provided--with all raiment, drink, and food.
Thus the princess to Vidarbha--after brief delay returned.
Her her whole assembled kindred--welcomed home with pride and joy,
All in health she found her kinsmen-and that lovely infant pair,
With her mother, with her father--and her sister troop of friends.
To the gods she paid her worship--to the Brahmins in her joy;
So the queenly Damayanti--all in noblest guise performed.
And her royal sire Sudeva--with the thousand kine made glad,
Joyous to behold his daughter,--with a village and much wealth.
There, when in her father's palace--she the quiet night had passed,
In these