03.072
Damayanti said.
O Keśinī, go and find out who this charioteer is, who is seated in the chariot, deformed and with short arms. (03-72-1)
O gentle and blameless lady, having attentively approached, gently ask this person about his well-being, just as it truly is. (03-72-2)
Here, a great doubt arises for me—whether this is Nala the king. Yet, this also brings contentment to my mind and joy to my heart. (03-72-3)
At the end of the conversation, you should say to him the message from Parṇa, and you, O beautiful-hipped and blameless one, should also understand his reply. (03-72-4)
Bṛhadaśva said.
Thus, the composed female messenger went and spoke to Bāhuka; Damayantī, the auspicious one, also looked about the parts of the palace. (03-72-5)
Keśini said.
Welcome to you, O king of men; I wish you well. Please listen carefully to the words of Damayantī, O noblest of men. (03-72-6)
When did you set out, and for what purpose have you come here? Tell the truth properly, for Vaidarbhī wishes to hear it. (03-72-7)
Bāhuka said.
The illustrious king Kausalya heard of the self-choice ceremony; Damayanti's second will indeed happen tomorrow, O beautiful one. (03-72-8)
Having heard him, the king set out with horses famed for covering a hundred yojanas a day, foremost in speed as the wind, and I was his charioteer. (03-72-9)
Keśinī said.
Now, who is that third among you—where is he from, whose is he, or again? And you—whose are you, how has this action come to be centered in you? (03-72-10)
Bahuka said;
Indeed, the charioteer of Puṇyaśloka, Vārṣṇeya by name and well-known as such, O blessed lady, approached Bhāṅgasvarī when Nala was disturbed. (03-72-11)
I too am skilled with horses and well-trained in cooking; I have been personally employed by Ṛtuparṇa for charioteering and preparing food. (03-72-12)
Keshini said.
Then Vārṣṇeya may find out where King Nala has gone. Somehow, perhaps, this may be revealed to you by Bāhuka. (03-72-13)
Bāhuka said.
Leaving the two sons of Nala, who had committed evil deeds, here itself, he departed from there as he wished; this person does not know about Nala. (03-72-14)
And no other man is able to know, O illustrious one; in this world, the king, taking eight forms, moves about in secret. (03-72-15)
Only his own self and the woman nearest to him truly know Nala; for those marks never reveal Nala at any time. (03-72-16)
Keśini said.
That Brāhmaṇa, who had first gone to Ayodhyā at that time, kept repeating these words of the women again and again. (03-72-17)
Where have you gone, O deceitful one, after having cut away half of my garment and departed— abandoning me, your devoted and sleeping beloved, in the forest, O beloved? (3-72-18)
She is truly living there, as instructed, awaiting you, tormented day and night, clothed only with half a garment. (03-72-19)
O king, as she weeps constantly from that sorrow, show her your favor, O hero, and give her a reply. (03-72-20)
O great-minded one, speak that dear story of hers; Vaidarbhi, the blameless, indeed wishes to hear that.
After hearing this, Vaidarbhi desires to hear once again from you the reply that you formerly gave to him. (03-72-22)
Bṛhadaśva said.
O Kurunandana, when Keśinī spoke thus to Nala, his heart was distressed and his eyes were filled with tears. (03-72-23)
The king, restraining his own sorrow and tormented within, said this again with a voice choked with tears. (03-72-24)
Even when faced with adversity, noble women protect themselves; truly, they are conquerors of heaven, there is no doubt. (03-72-25)
Here, the virtuous women, even when without their husbands, never become angry; protected by the armor of their character, they sustain their very lives. (03-72-26)
Śyāmā should not become angry with one who, wishing to survive, has had his clothes taken by birds and is being tormented by troubles. (03-72-27)
Whether honored or dishonored, even if she sees her husband thus—who has come deprived of his kingdom, bereft of wealth, hungry, and overwhelmed with suffering.
While speaking thus those words, Nala, overwhelmed with grief, could not bear his tears and wept aloud, O Bhārata. (03-72-29)
Then Keśinī, having gone to Damayantī, reported everything—she related all that had happened, as well as his condition. (03-72-30)
