03.055
बृहदश्व उवाच॥
Bṛhadaśva said.
वृते तु नैषधे भैम्या लोकपाला महौजसः। यान्तो ददृशुरायान्तं द्वापरं कलिना सह ॥०३-५५-१॥
But as the mighty guardians of the worlds, surrounded by the Naiṣadha and Bhīmī, were departing, they saw Dvāpara approaching together with Kali. (03-55-1)
अथाब्रवीत्कलिं शक्रः सम्प्रेक्ष्य बलवृत्रहा। द्वापरेण सहायेन कले ब्रूहि क्व यास्यसि ॥०३-५५-२॥
Then Indra, the slayer of Balavṛtra, saw Kali and said, "With Dvāpara as your ally, O Kali, tell me where you will go." (03-55-2)
ततोऽब्रवीत्कलिः शक्रं दमयन्त्याः स्वयंवरम्। गत्वाहं वरयिष्ये तां मनो हि मम तद्गतम् ॥०३-५५-३॥
Then Kali said to Śakra: "I will go to Damayantī's svayaṃvara and choose her, for my mind is drawn to her." (03-55-3)
तमब्रवीत्प्रहस्येन्द्रो निर्वृत्तः स स्वयंवरः। वृतस्तया नलो राजा पतिरस्मत्समीपतः ॥०३-५५-४॥
Indra, smiling, said to him: 'The svayamvara is over. Nala, the king, has been chosen by her as her husband from among us.' (03-55-4)
एवमुक्तस्तु शक्रेण कलिः कोपसमन्वितः। देवानामन्त्र्य तान्सर्वानुवाचेदं वचस्तदा ॥०३-५५-५॥
Kali, filled with anger, having thus been addressed by Śakra (Indra), addressed all the gods and then spoke these words. (03-55-5)
देवानां मानुषं मध्ये यत्सा पतिमविन्दत। ननु तस्या भवेन्न्याय्यं विपुलं दण्डधारणम् ॥०३-५५-६॥
She, who among humans found a husband belonging to the gods, indeed, it is only just that she should receive a great punishment. (03-55-6)
एवमुक्ते तु कलिना प्रत्यूचुस्ते दिवौकसः। अस्माभिः समनुज्ञातो दमयन्त्या नलो वृतः ॥०३-५५-७॥
After Kali had thus spoken, the dwellers in heaven replied: Nala was permitted by us, and was chosen by Damayantī. (03-55-7)
कश्च सर्वगुणोपेतं नाश्रयेत नलं नृपम्। यो वेद धर्मानखिलान्यथावच्चरितव्रतः ॥०३-५५-८॥
Who indeed, being endowed with all virtues, would not take refuge in King Nala—who knows all dharmas and is truly observant of vows? (03-55-8)
यस्मिन्सत्यं धृतिर्दानं तपः शौचं दमः शमः। ध्रुवाणि पुरुषव्याघ्रे लोकपालसमे नृपे ॥०३-५५-९॥
O tiger among men, in a king who is equal to the guardians of the world, those qualities—truth, steadfastness, generosity, austerity, purity, self-control, and tranquility—are firmly established. (03-55-9)
आत्मानं स शपेन्मूढो हन्याच्चात्मानमात्मना। एवङ्गुणं नलं यो वै कामयेच्छपितुं कले ॥०३-५५-१०॥
Whoever, being deluded, desires to curse Nala in this way for his conduct, should curse himself and even destroy himself. (03-55-10)
कृच्छ्रे स नरके मज्जेदगाधे विपुलेऽप्लवे। एवमुक्त्वा कलिं देवा द्वापरं च дивं ययुः ॥०३-५५-११॥
In such a difficult situation that one would sink into a vast, bottomless hell without a raft—having thus spoken about Kali, the gods and Dvāpara went back to heaven. (03-55-11)
ततो गतेषु देवेषु कलिर्द्वापरमब्रवीत्। संहर्तुं नोत्सहे कोपं नले वत्स्यामि द्वापर ॥०३-५५-१२॥
Then, after the gods had departed, Kali said to Dvapara: "I am not able to destroy my anger toward Nala, O Dvapara; I will remain (with him), O Dvapara." (03-55-12)
भ्रंशयिष्यामि तं राज्यान्न भैम्या सह रंस्यते। त्वमप्यक्षान्समाविश्य कर्तुं साहाय्यमर्हसि ॥०३-५५-१३॥
I will make him lose his kingdom; he will not enjoy Damayanti's company. You too, by joining the dice game, should assist in this. (03-55-13)
