DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0424
CHAPTER XXI
Wanderings in the Forest
Nala Possessed by a Demon—A Brother's Challenge—The Game of
Dice—The Rajah's Stakes—Alarm of Citizens—Damayantfs Grief—Flight
of Children—A Kingdom Gambled away—The Exiled King—His Faithful
Wife—Departure to the Forest—Damayanti Deserted—Seized by a Serpent—
Rescued by a Huntsman—A Terrible Curse—Forest Perils—Appeal to a
Tiger—The Holy Mountain—Prophecy of Hermits—Address to the Asoka
Tree—The Caravan—Disasters of a Night—Damayantfs Flight to Chedi.
For twelve bright years Nala and Damayanti lived happily
together. The great rajah ruled his people justly; he
offered up every sacrifice to the gods, and he gave sump-
tuous gifts to holy men. Fair Damayanti became the
mother of a beauteous daughter, who was named Indra-
sena, and of a comely son, who was named Indrasen. So
were the blessings of life showered upon the blissful pair.
But at length there came a day when, after perform-
ing an unclean act, Nala sipped holy water and went to
prayer with unwashed feet.1 The watchful Kali seized
this fatal opportunity, and straightway entered the rajah
and possessed his inmost soul. Then that evil demon
summoned Push'kara, the brother of Nala, saying: " Come
now and throw dice with the king. I will give thee mine
aid, so that thou wilt be enabled to win the whole realm
for thyself."
1 The ceremony of purification included the sipping of water and the washing °
feet,
340
Wanderings in the Forest
Nala Possessed by a Demon—A Brother's Challenge—The Game of
Dice—The Rajah's Stakes—Alarm of Citizens—Damayantfs Grief—Flight
of Children—A Kingdom Gambled away—The Exiled King—His Faithful
Wife—Departure to the Forest—Damayanti Deserted—Seized by a Serpent—
Rescued by a Huntsman—A Terrible Curse—Forest Perils—Appeal to a
Tiger—The Holy Mountain—Prophecy of Hermits—Address to the Asoka
Tree—The Caravan—Disasters of a Night—Damayantfs Flight to Chedi.
For twelve bright years Nala and Damayanti lived happily
together. The great rajah ruled his people justly; he
offered up every sacrifice to the gods, and he gave sump-
tuous gifts to holy men. Fair Damayanti became the
mother of a beauteous daughter, who was named Indra-
sena, and of a comely son, who was named Indrasen. So
were the blessings of life showered upon the blissful pair.
But at length there came a day when, after perform-
ing an unclean act, Nala sipped holy water and went to
prayer with unwashed feet.1 The watchful Kali seized
this fatal opportunity, and straightway entered the rajah
and possessed his inmost soul. Then that evil demon
summoned Push'kara, the brother of Nala, saying: " Come
now and throw dice with the king. I will give thee mine
aid, so that thou wilt be enabled to win the whole realm
for thyself."
1 The ceremony of purification included the sipping of water and the washing °
feet,
340