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78 and divine, depart; and the marriage of Nala and Damayanti was performed; and they went, in great happiness, to the city of the Nishadas.

Now as the gods were returning to their own regions, they met Koli, the King of Darkness, and Dwapara, Spirit of Twilight, coming to the earth. And when they asked where they were going, Koli rephed, "To Damayanti's swayamvara. My heart is fixed on wedding with that damsel." Hearing this, Indra smiled, and answered, "But her swayamvara is already ended. In our sight she hath chosen Nala for her husband." To this said Koli, that vilest of the celestials, in great wrath, "If, spurning the Immortals, Damayanti in their presence hath wedded with a mortal, then is it meet she should suffer a heavy doom!" But the gods answered, "Nay, with our sanction was it that Damayanti chose Nala. And what damsel is there who would not have done the same? Great and manly and learned, that tiger amongst men, that mortal who resembles one of the Divine Protectors, has truthfulness and forbearance and knowledge, and purity and self-control, and perfect tranquillity of soul. Whoever, O Koli, wisheth to curse this Nala, will end in cursing and destroying himself by his own act!"

Having spoken thus solemnly, the gods turned, leaving Koli and Dwapara, and went to