DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0410
CHAPTER XX
Nala and Damayanti
A Noble Prince and Fair Princess—Swan Messengers of Love—A Royal
Romance—The Love-sick Maiden—Indra and the Rishis—The Swayamvara
—Gods Descend from Heaven—Nala's Mission—Interview with Damayanti—
A Faithful Lover—Gathering of Rajahs—Gods Rejected by Damayanti—The
Choice of Nala—Wedding Gifts of the Gods—The Royal Marriage—Kali
the Demon—Plot to Ruin Nala.
Once upon a time there reigned in Nishadha1 a great
rajah of choicest virtues whose name was Nala. He had
great skill in taming steeds; he was a peerless archer,
and was devoted to truth. Nala commanded a mighty
army: like to the sun was his splendour, and he was
exalted over all other kings as is the monarch of the
gods. He had withal great piety, and he was deeply
read in the Vedas, but he was ever a passionate lover
of dice. Many a high-born lady spoke his praises, for
he was generous of heart, and self-controlled, and the
guardian of law. Indeed, Nala was a very present
Manu.2
Now there ruled over the neighbouring state of
Vidarbha the mighty rajah Bhima, the terrible in strength,
who was likewise of choicest virtues. He was childless,
and he yearned for children. For long he had been wont
to perform many holy deeds intent upon offspring, but
1 The south-eastern division of Central India.
9 An incarnation of Manu, the first lawgiver.
828
Nala and Damayanti
A Noble Prince and Fair Princess—Swan Messengers of Love—A Royal
Romance—The Love-sick Maiden—Indra and the Rishis—The Swayamvara
—Gods Descend from Heaven—Nala's Mission—Interview with Damayanti—
A Faithful Lover—Gathering of Rajahs—Gods Rejected by Damayanti—The
Choice of Nala—Wedding Gifts of the Gods—The Royal Marriage—Kali
the Demon—Plot to Ruin Nala.
Once upon a time there reigned in Nishadha1 a great
rajah of choicest virtues whose name was Nala. He had
great skill in taming steeds; he was a peerless archer,
and was devoted to truth. Nala commanded a mighty
army: like to the sun was his splendour, and he was
exalted over all other kings as is the monarch of the
gods. He had withal great piety, and he was deeply
read in the Vedas, but he was ever a passionate lover
of dice. Many a high-born lady spoke his praises, for
he was generous of heart, and self-controlled, and the
guardian of law. Indeed, Nala was a very present
Manu.2
Now there ruled over the neighbouring state of
Vidarbha the mighty rajah Bhima, the terrible in strength,
who was likewise of choicest virtues. He was childless,
and he yearned for children. For long he had been wont
to perform many holy deeds intent upon offspring, but
1 The south-eastern division of Central India.
9 An incarnation of Manu, the first lawgiver.
828