SECTION –LXVII
(Nalopakhyana Parva Continued)
"Vrihadaswa said, 'After the snake had
vanquished, Nala, the ruler of the Nishadhas, proceeded, and on the tenth day
entered the city of Rituparna. And he approached the king, saying, 'My name is
Vahuka. There is no one in this world equal to me in managing steeds. My
counsel also should be sought in matters of difficulty and in all affairs of
skill. I also surpass others in the art of cooking. In all those arts that
exists in this world, and also in every thing difficult of accomplishment, I
will strive to attain success, O Rituparna, do thou maintain me.' And Rituparna
replied, 'O Vahuka, stay with me! May good happen to thee. Thou wilt even
perform all this. I have always particularly desired to be driven fast. Do thou
concert such measures that my steeds may become fleet. I appoint thee the
superintendent of my stables. Thy pay shall be ten thousand (coins). Both
Varshneya and Jivala shall always be under thy direction. Thou wilt live
pleasantly in their company. Therefore, O Vahuka, stay thou with me.'"
"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Thus addressed by
the king, Nala began to dwell in the city of Rituparna, treated with respect
and with Varshneya and Jivala as his companions. And residing there, the king
(Nala), remembering the princess of Vidarbha, recited every evening the
following sloka: 'Where lieth that helpless one afflicted with hunger and
thirst and worn with toil, thinking of that wretch? And upon whom also doth she
now wait?' And once as the king was reciting this in the night, Jivala asked
him saying, 'O Vahuka, whom dost thou lament thus daily? I am curious to hear
it. O thou blest with length of days, whose spouse is she whom thus lamentest?'
Thus questioned, king Nala answered him, saying, 'A certain person devoid of
sense had a wife well-known to many. That wretch was false in his promises. For
some reason that wicked person was separated from her. Separated from her, that
wretch wandered about oppressed with woe, and burning with grief he resteth not
by day or night. And at night, remembering her, he singeth this sloka. Having
wandered over the entire world, he hath at last found a refuge, and undeserving
of the distress that hath befallen him, passeth his days, thus remembering his
wife. When calamity had overtaken this man, his wife followed him into the
woods. Deserted by that man of little virtue, her life itself is in danger.
Alone, without knowledge of ways, ill able to bear distress, and fainting with
hunger and thirst, the girl can hardly protect her life. And, O friend, she
hath been deserted by that man of small fortune and having little sense, with
the wide and terrible forest, ever abounding in beasts of prey'--
"Thus remembering Damayanti, the king of the
Nishadhas continued to live unknown in the abode of that monarch!"
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