DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0416
NALA AND DAMAYANTi 333
of another. In mercy spare me, ye gods—spare me this
unwelcome service."
But the gods would not be moved from their purpose.
They reminded Nala he had already promised to do their
will, and they therefore urged him to set forth without
delay lest he should belie his words.
Then the lord of Nishadha pleaded: "The palace of
Bhima is strongly guarded, and I cannot enter there."
Indra said: "Thou wilt indeed enter."
And lo! even as the god spake, Nala found himself
standing before Damayanti in her secret bower.
The beauteous maiden was surrounded by her virgin
band, and he gazed upon her faultless limbs and slender
waist and into her entrancing eyes. Her shining beauty
excelled even the tender rays of the moon. The love of
Nala grew deeper and stronger as he looked upon the
smiling princess; but he curbed his passion, remembering
his mission.
All the maidens gazed with wonder and joy at the
noble form, and in their hearts they exclaimed: "Oh! the
splendid one; oh! the strong and mighty hero—who is he?
• . - Is he god, or Yaksha, or Gandharva?" But they
spoke not a word, for they were made bashfully silent by
reason of his beauty.
Nala smiled upon Damayanti, and first she smiled
softly in return; then she exclaimed in her wonder: " Who
art thou that hast come hither like a celestial being to
awaken all my love. Speak and tell, O sinless lord.
How didst thou contrive to enter the palace unseen, for
surely all the chambers are strongly guarded by stern
orders of the king?"1
The rajah made answer, saying: "O thou'fairest one,
know now that I am even Nala, and that I come hither as
Evidently the zenana system was in vogue prior to the Mohammedan conquest.
of another. In mercy spare me, ye gods—spare me this
unwelcome service."
But the gods would not be moved from their purpose.
They reminded Nala he had already promised to do their
will, and they therefore urged him to set forth without
delay lest he should belie his words.
Then the lord of Nishadha pleaded: "The palace of
Bhima is strongly guarded, and I cannot enter there."
Indra said: "Thou wilt indeed enter."
And lo! even as the god spake, Nala found himself
standing before Damayanti in her secret bower.
The beauteous maiden was surrounded by her virgin
band, and he gazed upon her faultless limbs and slender
waist and into her entrancing eyes. Her shining beauty
excelled even the tender rays of the moon. The love of
Nala grew deeper and stronger as he looked upon the
smiling princess; but he curbed his passion, remembering
his mission.
All the maidens gazed with wonder and joy at the
noble form, and in their hearts they exclaimed: "Oh! the
splendid one; oh! the strong and mighty hero—who is he?
• . - Is he god, or Yaksha, or Gandharva?" But they
spoke not a word, for they were made bashfully silent by
reason of his beauty.
Nala smiled upon Damayanti, and first she smiled
softly in return; then she exclaimed in her wonder: " Who
art thou that hast come hither like a celestial being to
awaken all my love. Speak and tell, O sinless lord.
How didst thou contrive to enter the palace unseen, for
surely all the chambers are strongly guarded by stern
orders of the king?"1
The rajah made answer, saying: "O thou'fairest one,
know now that I am even Nala, and that I come hither as
Evidently the zenana system was in vogue prior to the Mohammedan conquest.