LITMIR.BIZ

Скачать книгу

       The world's protectors worshipping.

       Then those,

       The lords of life, the powerful Ones, bestowed—

       Being well-pleased—on Nala, chosen so,

       Eight noble boons. The boon which Indra gave

       Was grace, at times of sacrifice, to see

       The visible god approach, with step divine;

       And Agni's boon was this, that he would come

       Whenever Nala called—for everywhere

       Hutâsa shineth, and all worlds are his;

       Yama gave skill in cookery, steadfastness

       In virtue; and Varuna, King of Floods,

       Bade all the waters ripple at his call.

       These boons the high gods doubled by the gift

       Of bright wreaths wove with magic blooms of heaven;

       And those bestowed, ascended to their seats.

       Also with wonder and with joy returned

       The Rajas and the Maharajas all,

       Full of the marriage-feast; for Bhima made,

       In pride and pleasure, stately nuptials;

       So Damayanti and the Prince were wed.

       Then, having tarried as is wont, that lord—

       Nishadha's chief—took the King's leave, and went

       Unto his city, bringing home with him

       His jewel of all womanhood, with whom

       Blissful he lived, as lives by Śachi's side

       The slayer of the Demons. Like a sun

       Shone Nala on his throne, ruling his folk

       In strength and virtue, guardian of his state.

       Also the Aśwamedha Rite he made

       Greatest of rites, the Offering of the Horse,

       As did Yayâti; and all other acts

       Of worship; and to sages gave rich gifts.

       Many dear days of much delicious love,

       In pleasant gardens and in shadowy groves,

       Passed they together, sojourning like gods.

       And Damayanti bore unto her lord

       A boy named Indrasen, and next, a girl

       Named Indrasena. So in happiness

       The good Prince governed, seeing all his lands

       Wealthy and well, in piety and peace.

       Now at the choosing of Nishadha's chief

       By Bhima's daughter, when those lords of life—

       The effulgent gods—departed, Dwapara

       They saw with Kali, coming. Indra said—

       The Demon-slayer—spying these approach:—

       "Whither, with Dwapara, goest thou to-day,

       O Kali?" And the sombre Shade replied:—

       "To Damayanti's high Swayamvara

       I go, to make her mine, since she hath passed

       Into my heart." But Indra, laughing, said:—

       "Ended is that Swayamvara; for she

       Hath taken Raja Nala for her lord,

       Before us all," But Kali, hearing this,

       Breaks into wrath—while he stood worshipping

       That band divine—and furiously cries:—

       "If she hath set a man above the gods,

       To wed with him, for such sin let there fall

       Doom, rightful, swift, and terrible, on her!"

       "Nay," answered unto him those heavenly ones,

       "But Damayanti chose with our good-will;

       And what maid but would choose so fair a prince,

       Seeing he hath all qualities, and knows

       Virtue, and rightly practises the vows,

       And reads the four great Vedas, and, what's next,

       The Holy Stories, whilst, perpetually,

       The gods are honored in his house with gifts?

       No hurt he does, kind to all living things;

       True of word is he, faithful, liberal, just;

       Steadfast and patient, temperate and pure;

       A king of men is Nala, like the gods.

       He that would curse a prince of such a mould,

       Thou foolish Kali, lays upon himself

       A sin to crush himself; the curse comes back

       And sinks him in the bottomless vast gulf

       Of Narak."

       Thus the gods to Kali spake,

       And mounted heavenward; whereupon that Shade,

       Frowning, to Dwapara burst forth: "My rage

       Beareth no curb. Henceforth in Nala I

       Will dwell; his kingdom I will make to fall;

       His bliss with Damayanti I will mar;

       And thou within the dice shalt enter straight,

       And help me, Dwapara! to drag him down,"

       Into which compact entering, those repaired—

       Kali and Dwapara—to Nala's house,

       And haunted in Nishadha, where he ruled,

       Seeking occasion 'gainst the blameless Prince.

       Long watched they; twelve years rolled ere Kali saw

       The fateful fault arrive; Nishadha's Lord,

       Easing himself, and sprinkling hands and lips

       With purifying water, passed to prayer,

       His feet unwashed, offending. Kali straight

       Possessed the heedless Raja, entering him.

       That hour there sat with Nala, Pushkara

       His brother; and the evil spirit hissed

       Into the ear of Pushkara: "Ehi!

       Arise, and challenge Nala at the dice.

       Throw with the Prince! it may be thou shalt win

       (Luck helping thee, and I) Nishadha's throne,

       Town, treasures, palace—thou mayest gain them all."

       And Pushkara, hearing Kali's evil voice,

       Made near to Nala, with the dice in hand

       (A great piece for the "Bull," and little ones

       For "Cows," and Kali hiding in the Bull).

       So Pushkara came to Nala's side and said:—

       "Play with me, brother, at the 'Cows and Bull';"

       And, being put off, cried mockingly, "Nay, play!"

       Shaming the Prince, whose spirit chafed to leave

       A gage unfaced; but when Vidarbha's gem,

       The Princess, heard that challenge, Nala rose:

       "Yea, Pushkara, I will play!" fiercely he said;

       And to the game addressed.

       His gems he lost,

       Armlets and belt and necklet; next the gold

       Of the palace and its vessels; then the cars

       Yoked with swift steeds; and last, the royal robes:

Скачать книгу