Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/67

Rh or heat was to be seen on their bodies. But the feet of the fifth rested on the ground and on his clothes lay the dust of the arena and his brow was burnt with the rays of the sun. Then she knew that the four were Immortals and that the fifth was her mortal lover the King of the Nishadas. With a smile she flung the garland with which she was to choose her suitor round the true Nala's neck and the assembled heroes knew that she had chosen her husband. All acclaimed her choice, for he was the handsomest of all those who had sought to win her. And Nala thanked Damayanti for having preferred him to an immortal husband and vowed that he would be hers alone while life lasted. And Damayanti thanked him and made him a like promise. Then both prayed to the four Immortals for their pardon and protection, and all four gods blessed the pair and gave them marriage gifts.

After the Swayamvara was over, King Bhima called together his Brahmans and they joined the youth and maid in marriage. A few days later King Nala took leave of King Bhima and in his chariot bore Damayanti away to the country of the Nishadas. There he gave her as a dwelling a beautiful palace surrounded by woods and pleasure grounds, so that in all India there was no happier queen than Damayanti. Nor was there anywhere a king so glad or so fortunate as Nala.

Now it so happened that as Indra and Agni and Varuna and Yama were returning from the Swayamvara they met the god Kali and with him was his companion Dwapara. "Lord Kali," said Indra, "tell me, I pray you, where you are going with Dwapara as your companion." "Lord Indra," said Kali, "the fame of the beauty of Damayanti, princess of Vidarbha, has reached my ears and has filled me with longing for her. And, hearing