नलोपाख्यान पर्व — (क्रमशः) देवताओं के दूत बने नल

Brihadashva said: O Bharata, Nala promised to them (the celestials) saying that he would do it; and then, approaching with folded hands, asked them, “Who are you? And who is he, by whom I am desired to be his inessenger? what further shall I render to you; tell me what really is."

Maghavat, being thus addressed by the king of the Nishadhas, said in reply, “Be informed that we, the celestials, come here for Damayanti.

O king I am Indra, this one is Agni; he is the lord of the waters and this is even Yama, the destroyer of human bodies.

Do you inform Damayanti that we, Lokapalas with Mahendra at our head, are all come and going to the assembly (of the heroes), filled with the desire of witnessing (the Svayamvara).

And the gods-Shakra, Agni, Vasava and Yama, all desire to win you. Hence choose one of them for your husband."

Nala, being thus spoken to by Shakra, requested them with folded hands not to send him, as he also has come with the same purpose.

"O gods, pardon me; and how it is that a person, who is in the same way determined (to get Damayanti), can dare speak to the damsel on behalf of others."

The Gods said : O king of the Nishadhas, you promised to us beforehand that you would do it. O king of the Nishadhas, why, therefore will you not act up to it? Tell us without (a moment's) hesitation.

Brihadashva said : The king of the Nishadhas, being thus spoken by the gods, said again to them: "How can I dare enter those palaces so well-guarded."

Indra again said to him in reply "you shall get access." Nala, saying “so be it," repaired to the mansion of Damayanti.

There he saw the daughter of the ruler of Vidharbhas, who was encircled by her handsminds, effulgent in beauty and forin and of fair color.

She also possessed extraordinarily symmetrical handsome limbs, slender waist and fair eyes; her splendour was supposed to ecclipse the light of the moon.

His (Nala's) love increased at the very sight of that sweet smiling one (Damayanti). But being desirous of carrying out the truth, he repressed the love (that was aroused in him).

Then beholding the king of the Nishadhas, all the respectable and beautiful ladies sprang up from their seats, possessed as they were by the splendour (of his beauty).

Filled with amazement and highly gratified, they praised Nala; but they spoke nothing to him, only worshipped him in the mind.

Oh! what beauty, what effulgence and what patience are possessed by this high-souled one! Who is he! Is he a god or a Yaksha or a Gandharva?

Those most excellent women, over-powered by his splendour and out of bashfulness, were not at all able to go near or address him.

Filled as she was with amazement, yet Damayanti, smilingly addressed the heroic Nala, who, also gently smiled at her. She smilingly said thus.

"Who are you, O you of beautiful form, you have aroused love in me. O warlike one, O sinless one, I desire to know how have you come here. Why have you come here! And how is it you have not been perceived by any body? Indeed, my palace is so well-guarded; and so strict are the commands of the king." Being thus addressed by the daughter of

Nala said: "O handsome damsel, know me by the name of Nala; I have come here as the messenger of the gods. The gods, Shakra, Agni, Varuna and Yama, all desire to have you. O beauteous one, choose one of the celestials as your husband.

It is through the influence of those celestials I have entered the palace undiscovered and for this reason also that none has perceived me, nor put obstacles in my way.

O respected one, I have been sent by the illustrious gods on this errand. O lucky one, form your opinion by hearing this, as you please.