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Davadantí.' Being thus entreated by the counsellors, Nala mounted the chariot, and set out with Davadantí. When the women of the city saw Davadantí with one garment on, as if she were going to bathe, they wept. Then Nala, going along the street, saw a pillar five hundred cubits high. Forgetting the grief produced by the loss of his kingdom, he easily pulled it up in sport as if it were a banana-stem, and again restored it to its place. When the citizens saw this, they said: 'Alas! though Nala is possessed of such remarkable strength, he is deprived of his kingdom by the dispensation of fate. Long ago, when Nala was playing with Kúvara in the city gardens, a hermit, that knew the future, arrived there. When he saw Nala, he said: "This Nala shall be the ruler of the southern half of India, and he shall move a pillar of five hundred cubits' height standing in the town." These two things have come to pass; but we have seen with our own eyes that, while Nala is alive, another king has been established in Koçalá. That does not agree with the prediction. However, it is certain that the prediction of a man of unlimited knowledge must prove true. Kúvara shall not enjoy the kingdom. Nala shall be king here.' Such conversation did Nala hear among the people, while, mounted on the chariot with Davadantí, he was leaving the city. As he went out, he said to Davadantí: Where shall we go?' She answered: 'King, go to the city of Kundina; favour my father by becoming a guest there.' Then by Nala's order the charioteer drove the chariot and horses in the direction of the city of Kundina. In course of time Nala reached a forest. It was one where the troops of travellers were terrified by the spots of the growling tigers, and where the deer were devoured by them with loud roars. It was alarming on account of the serpents, dangerous from their venom, that roamed about, and the multitudes of savage beasts that were seen. In that wood some Bhillas, holding in their hands bows, arrows, and darts, stopped Nala. He got out of the chariot, and went to meet them. But Davadantí held his hand, and said: 'My lord, how can you, being
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