There a month when he had sojourned—of king Bhima taking leave,
Guarded but by few attendants—to Nishadha took his way.
With a single splendid chariot—and with elephants sixteen,
And with fifty armed horsemen—and six hundred men on foot;
Making, as 'twere, earth to tremble—hastening onward, did the king,
Enter awful in his anger—and terrific in his speed.
Then the son of Virasena—to king Pushkara drew near;
"Play we once again," then said he—"much the wealth I have acquired:
All I have, even Damayanti—every treasure I possess,
Set I now upon the hazard—Pushkara, thy kingdom thou:
In the game once more contend we—'tis my settled purpose this,
Brother, at a single hazard—play we boldly for our lives.
From another he who treasures—he who mighty realm hath won,
'Tis esteemed a bounden duty—to play back the counter game.
If thou shrinkest from the hazard—be our game the strife of swords,
Meet we in the single combat—all our difference to decide.
An hereditary kingdom—may by any means be sought,
Be re-won by any venture—this the maxim of the wise.
Of two courses set before thee—Pushkara, the option make,
Or in play to stand the hazard—or in battle stretch the bow."
By Nishadha's lord thus challenged—Pushkara, with smile suppressed,
As secure of easy victory—answered to the lord of earth;
"Oh what joy! abundant treasures—thou hast won, again to play;
Oh what joy! of Damayanti—now the hard-won prize is mine:
Oh what joy! again thou livest—with thy consort, mighty armed!
With the wealth I win bedecked—soon shall Bhima's daughter stand,
By my side, as by great Indra—stands the Apsara in heaven.[137]
Still on thee hath dwelt my memory—still I've waited, king, for thee;
In the play I find no rapture—but 'gainst kinsmen like thyself.
When this day the round-limbed princess—Damayanti, undespised,
I shall win, I rest contented—still within mine heart she dwells."
Hearing his contemptuous language—franticly thus pouring forth,
With his sword th' indignant Nala—fain had severed off his head.
But with haughty smile, with anger—glaring in his blood-red eyes,
"Play we now, nor talk we longer—conquered, thou'lt no longer talk."
Then of Pushkara the gaming—and of Nala straight began:
In a single throw by Nala—was the perilous venture gained;
Pushkara, his gold, his jewels—at one hazard all was won!
Pushkara, in play thus conquered—with a smile the king rejoined:
"Mine again is all this kingdom—undisturbed, its foes o'ercome.
Fallen king! Vidarbha's daughter—by thine eyes may ne'er be seen.
Thou art now, with all thy household—unto abject slavery sunk.
Not thyself achieved the conquest—that subdued me heretofore!
'Twas achieved by mightier Kali—that thou didst not, fool, perceive.
Yet my wrath, by him enkindled—will I not 'gainst thee direct;
Live thou henceforth at thy pleasure—freely I thy life bestow,
And of thine estate and substance—give I thee thy fitting share.
Such my pleasure, in thy welfare—hero, do I take delight,
And mine unabated friendship—never shall from thee depart.
Pushkara, thou art my brother—may'st thou live an hundred years!"
Nala thus consoled his brother—in his conscious power and strength,
Sent him home to his own city—once embracing, once again.
Pushkara, thus finding comfort—answered to Nishadha's lord,
Answered he to Punyasloka—bowing low with folded hands:
"Everlasting be thy glory! may'st thou live ten thousand years!
That my life to me thou grantest—and a city for mine home!"
Hospitably entertained—there a month when he had dwelt,
Joyful to his own proud city—Pushkara, with all his kin,
With a well-appointed army—of attendant slaves an host,
Shining like the sun departed,—in his full meridian orb.
Pushkara thus crowned with riches—thus unharmed, when he dismissed,[138]
Entered then his royal city—with surpassing pomp, the king:
As he entered, to his subjects—Nala spake the words of peace.

From the city, from the country—all, with hair erect with joy,
Came, with folded hands addressed him—and the counsellors of state.
"Happy are we now, O monarch—in the city, in the fields,
Setting forth to do thee homage—as to Indra all the gods."
Then at peace the tranquil city—the first festal gladness o'er,
With a mighty host escorted—Damayanti brought he home.
Damayanti rich in treasures—in her father's blessings rich,
Glad dismissed the mighty-minded—Bhima, fearful in his strength.
With the daughter of Vidarbha—with his children in his joy,
Nala lived, as lives the sovereign—of the gods in Nandana.[139]
Re-ascended thus to glory—he, among the kings of earth,
Ruled his realm in Jambudwipa[140]—thus re-won, with highest fame;
And all holy rites performed he—with devout munificence.