Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

""Nala ^f Damayantiand it was agreed. But when Nala received the lore ofnumbers and skill at dice, immediately Kali left him andassumed his own form. The demon prayed for Nala smercy, since he had suffered so long from the serpent spoison; and he promised that wheresoever Nala s namewas heard the dread of Kali should be unknown.Thenthe demon, spared by Nala s grace, entered a blasted treeand disappeared. Then Nala was glad, being freed fromhis enemy, and mounting the car he drove yet swifter thanbefore ; by nightfall they reached Vidarbha, and thethunder of the chariot-w r heels reached the ears ofDamayanti, so that she knew that Nala was come.If this be not Nala," she said, I shall die to-morrow. 1Bhima welcomed his guest and asked the reason of hiscoming, for he knew nothing of Damayantl s ruse or thatRituparna had come for his daughter s sake. Rituparna,seeing no sign of a Swayamvara, no preparationsfor the"royal guest, answered his host : I have but come, greatBhima, to give my salutations unto Bhima thee."smiled,for he thought:"Not thus, so far and so fast, does theking of Ayodhya drive for so small a matter." But he letthe question drop and courteously appointed chambers andVahuka led the horses torefreshment for the weary king.the stables, dressed them, caressed them, and sat himdown on the chariot-seat.Damayanti knew not what to think, for, though shemanaged to catch a glimpse of the car as it arrived, shesaw no Nala. Yet, she thought, Nala must be there orRituparna must have learnt his skill. She sent a messengerto the charioteer, making many inquiries whether he knewaught of Nala. Vahuka answered: Nala s self of"OnlyNala knows, and Nala will of himself no sign betray."Then the messenger again repeated the Brahman s