. Indian myth and legend. e by this truth, Oye all-knowing Powers. Oh! reveal my lord. The gods have destined that Nala should bemine husband. I adjure thee by this truth. Oh!reveal my lord. The vow which I so pledged to Nala is holy,and I must ever keep it. I adjure thee by thistruth. Oh! reveal my lord. O ye mighty ones, ye guardians of the world,assume now your forms divine, so that I may knowNala, the monarch of men. The gods heard the sad maiden*s piteous prayer andmarvelled greatly. They perceived that her resolve wasfirm, that she was constant in truth and in love, andwas holy and wise,
. Indian myth and legend. e by this truth, Oye all-knowing Powers. Oh! reveal my lord. The gods have destined that Nala should bemine husband. I adjure thee by this truth. Oh!reveal my lord. The vow which I so pledged to Nala is holy,and I must ever keep it. I adjure thee by thistruth. Oh! reveal my lord. O ye mighty ones, ye guardians of the world,assume now your forms divine, so that I may knowNala, the monarch of men. The gods heard the sad maiden*s piteous prayer andmarvelled greatly. They perceived that her resolve wasfirm, that she was constant in truth and in love, andwas holy and wise, and that she remained faithful to herlord. So they revealed the tokens of their greatness.*. . Then Damayanti was able to discern the fourcelestial beings because their skins were without moistureand their eyes never winked, there was no dust ontheir garlands and their feet did not touch the earth. ^ Deities cast no shadows, they never perspired, nor did their feet touch the groundwhen walking. Their eyes never DAMAYANTI CHOOSING A HUSBAND From the painting by fVartcick Gohle NALA AND DAMAYANTl 337 She also knew Nala because he cast a shadow; therewas dust on his raiment, and his garland was beginningto fade; drops of moisture stood on his skin, and hiseyelids moved. Gazing first upon the celestial beings and then uponhim who was her hearts desire, Damayanti named Nalaas her lord. She modestly touched the hem of hisgarment and threw round his neck a wreath of brightflowers, and thus chose him for her husband. All the rivals of Nala uttered cries of sorrow, butthe gods and the sages exclaimed aloud: Well done!Well done! and honoured the lord of Nishadha. Nala spake in his joy to fair Damayanti, saying: Since thou, O maiden with serene smile, hast chosenme for thine husband in the presence of the gods, knowthat I will be a faithful consort who will ever takedelight in thy words. I am thine, and so long as mylife endures I will be thine only. So did the lord of Nishadha
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