from effacing the simplicity of the manners it depicts—the prince, for instance, cooks his own food—or from changing the character of Indra, and other old traits. The poem is pervaded by a high tone of morality, manifested above all in the heroic devotion and fidelity of Damayantī, its leading character. It also contains many passages distinguished by tender pathos.
The story is told by the wise Bṛihadaçva to the exiled Yudhishṭhira, in order to console him for the loss of the kingdom he has forfeited at play. Nala, prince of Nishada, chosen from among many competitors for her hand by Damayantī, princess of Vidarbha, passes several years of happy married life with her. Then, possessed by the demon Kali, and indulging in gambling, he loses his kingdom and all his possessions. Wandering half naked in the forest with Damayantī, he abandons her in his frenzy. Very pathetic is the scene describing how he repeatedly returns to the spot where his wife lies asleep on the ground before he finally deserts her. Equally touching are the accounts of her terror on awaking to find herself alone in the forest, and of her lamentations as she roams in search of her husband, and calls out to him—
- Hero, valiant, knowing duty,
- To honour faithful, lord of earth,
- If thou art within this forest,
- Then show thee in thy proper form.
- Shall I hear the voice of Nala,
- Sweet as the draught of Amṛita,
- With its deep and gentle accent,
- Like rumble of the thunder-cloud,
- Saying "Daughter of Vidarbha!"
- To me with clear and blessed sound,
- Rich, like Vedas murmured flowing,
- At once destroying all my grief?
