SECTION –LXX
(Nalopakhyana Parva Continued)
"Vrihadaswa said, 'After a long time had
passed away, a Brahmana named Parnada returned to the city (of the Vidarbhas),
and said unto the daughter of Bhima, 'O Damayanti, seeking Nala, the king of
Nishadhas, I came to the city of Ayodhya, and appeared before the son of
Bhangasura. And, O best of women, I repeated those words of thine in the
presence of the blessed Rituparna. But hearing them neither that ruler of men,
nor his courtiers, answered anything, although I uttered them repeatedly. Then,
after I had been dismissed by the monarch, I was accosted by a person in the
service of Rituparna, named Vahuka. And Vahuka is the charioteer of that king,
of unsightly appearance and possessed of short arms. And he is skillful in
driving with speed, and well acquainted with the culinary art. And sighing
frequently, and weeping again and again, he inquired about my welfare and
afterwards said these words, 'Chaste women, although fallen into distress, yet
protect themselves and thus certainly secure heaven. Although they may be
deserted by their lords, they do not yet become angry on that account, for
women that are chaste lead their lives, encased in the armour of virtuous
behaviour. It behoveth her not to be angry, since he that deserted her was
overwhelmed with calamity, and deprived of every bliss. A beauteous and
virtuous woman should not be angry with one that was deprived by birds of his
garment while striving to procure sustenance and who is being consumed with
grief. Whether treated well or ill, such a wife should never indulge in ire,
beholding her husband in that plight, despoiled of kingdom and destitute of
prosperity, oppressed with hunger and overwhelmed with calamity.' Hearing these
words of his, I have speedily come here. Thou hast now heard all. Do what thou
thinkest proper, and inform the king of it.'
"O king, having heard these words of
Parnada, Damayanti with tearful eyes came to her mother, and spake unto her in
private, 'O mother, king Bhima should not, by any means, be made acquainted
with my purpose. In thy presence will I employ that best of Brahmanas, Sudeva!
If thou desirest my welfare, act in such a way that king Bhima may not know my
purpose. Let Sudeva without delay go hence to the city of Ayodhya, for the
purpose of bringing Nala, O mother, having performed the same auspicious rites
by virtue of which he had speedily brought me into the midst of friends.' With
these words, after Parnada had recovered from fatigue, the princess of Vidarbha
worshipped him with profuse wealth and also said, 'When Nala will come here, O
Brahmana, I will bestow on thee wealth in abundance again. Thou hast done me
the immense service which none else, indeed, can do me, for, (owing to that
service of thine), O thou best of the regenerate ones, I shall speedily regain
my (lost) lord.' And thus addressed by Damayanti, that high-minded Brahmana
comforted her, uttering benedictory words of auspicious import, and then went
home, regarding his mission to have been successful. And after he had gone
away, Damayanti oppressed with grief and distress, calling Sudeva, addressed
him, O Yudhishthira, in the presence of her mother, saying, 'O Sudeva, go thou
to the city of Ayodhya, straight as a bird, and tell king Rituparna living
there, these words: 'Bhima's daughter, Damayanti will hold another Swayamvara.
All the kings and princes are going thither. Calculating the time, I find that
the ceremony will take place tomorrow. O represser of foes, if it is possible
for thee, go thither without delay. Tomorrow, after the sun hath risen, she
will choose a second husband, as she doth not know whether the heroic Nala
liveth or not. And addressed by her, O monarch thus, Sudeva set out. And he
said unto Rituparna, all that he had been directed to say.'"
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