Nalrayavadanti Charita

Author(s): Ernest Bender
Publisher: American Philosophical Society

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BENDER: THE NALARAYADAVADANTICARITA
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he submits to you, then your fame would extend throughout the whole world." (111)
To find out, the king first sent a messenger who made known [the state of affairs] properly, but that ox did not listen. How can one beat a drum without a stick? (112) So Nala went with a mighty army and, arriving at the city of Takşaśila, surrounded it. Then, Kadamba issued forth, dreadful with rage and accompanied by an army. (113) The two heroes, Nala and Kadamba, in pity excluding the other warriors, fought fiercely and struggled zealously with every sinew of their bodies on the field of battle. (114) Whatever [means of] struggle Kadamba requested, that one King Nala granted without hesitation. By the power of his punya Nala conquered [him] at last.
Then true knowledge came to Kadamba. (115) "I have contended with him and am about to perish through his superiority. Let me, rather, like Bahubali 19 cross the ocean of worldly existence." He, then, undertook the great vow of Samyama.20
Then the hero Nala fell at his feet. (116) Praising his might and spiritual purity and placing [Kadamba's] son, Hamsa, on the throne, the monarch returned to the city and entered, beating his drum(s). (117) Then all the kings of half of Bharta joyously consecrated Nala, and gave him all sorts of precious gifts. Bhimi became Nala's chief queen. (118) The monarch, Nala, ruled in his four-halled palace wonderful like that of Indra for a long time. Kubara, covetous of the rule and envious, constantly went about looking for a device against Nala. (119)
Sandal is bitter; the moon has a spot; the ocean (which contains jewels) is brackish; in water there is mud; even the virtuous Nala had the bad habit of dicing. Who can defeat Fate who puts a flaw in a jewel? (120)
He (Nala) lost and won continually [up to] a crore of lakhs. This became Nala's great vice. One day Nala and Kubara played and Kubara won. Nala lost (121) lands, cities, towns, palaces, provinces, villages, isolated villages, district headquarters, (provincial) capitals, gold, pearls, [his] treasury, elephants, horses, camels, and granaries. (122) Nala went on losing, unaware that all his people were making great lamentation. The king would not heed the warning of anyone. Tell [me]! Who can stop an elephant's ear [from flapping]? (123)
Hearing of his losses, Davadanti, laying aside her modesty, went to the assembly-room, and said, "Give up dicing. Stop losing! (124) These dice are like bonds on you, spiteful and hostile. For an instant or only half an instant gambling has its charm, but, lord, don't be so blind! (125) If it is to your liking, present,
19 See Tawney, 1895: 192-195, The Story of Bahubali, which precedes the Nala-story and is described in the colophon as "having reference to pride"; that of Nala is described as "having reference to gambling." See also Johnson, 1931: 1: 273-326. 20 Control of the senses; Jaini, 1940: 56, 132.
[TRANS. AMER. PHIL. SOC.
give with your [own] hand the realm to your brother. But what's the use of losing it like this at dicing? (126) If a man loses through his vices the wealth he has amassed, then it will continue to torment his mind as long as he lives, O King." 21 (127) Davadanti tried to warn the king with these words, but he paid no attention [to her]. (128)
Then the evolution of karma took its crooked course. The wretched king was not freed [from his vice]. The prosperity of the round of existence became lean.
Davadanti, then, treated by Nala with disrespect, weeping, lamented the action of fate. (129) The king lost his harem, including Davadanti, and his personal ornaments. (130) Having lost everything Nala then took off his personal ornamentation. (131)
Kübara, in his heart, now, was delighted. "Today I have gained the kingdom." (132) The cruel Kubara said to Nala, "Leave my land." (133) Nala, [even] his covering-cloth removed, set out without hesitation and boldly. (134)
O mighty one, Lakşmi (Fortune) has not abandoned [you]. Do not be proud. (135)
When Nala, thus addressed, was being driven away, the hero, the complete, the peerless, the bold, the steadfast, Davadanti, the virtuous one, who was going [with him] at his request, was stopped by Kubara who had won her. (136) The minister said, "Do nothing ill-considered! Let Davadanti go, O wise one! The elder brother is regarded as a father; his wife is always said to be a mother. (137) If you, somehow, keep [her] against her will, then, surely, injury will befall you. Provide provisions for [their] journey, a chariot, and a charioteer, and send Davadanti off with Nala." (138) Kübara heeded the instructions of his minister.
Then, Nala, laughing, spoke in this fashion, "A fortune has been lost by me in wanton sport. What desire do I have for a chariot?" (139) At the advice of the minister, Nala, for the comfort of the weak woman, mounted the chariot together with the lovely one.
Seeing a lofty pillar in the city, he pulled it out and set it up [again] with his hands. (140) When the disposition of Fate was observed this interpretation [was placed] on the mighty Nalal's state]: When, in his childhood, Nala had gone to a grove, a muni, who was aware of the future said, (141) "He who shall move in this city a pillar five-hundred hands in height, unbroken, that man shall enjoy a half of Bharata." The great rşi's word had been fulfilled [it was said]. (142) "Nala was master of Kosala. None else fits the prophecy. This realm will again be Nala's. Kubara will not enjoy his deceit. (143) Anyone, then, is a
lucky man, if he is a ruler of the sort that Nala is."
On hearing the people talking in this fashion, Nala's mighty merit awoke again. (144) Cheerfully, he left the city and, sending back the people, the ministers, and the vassals, the lord of Bhima's daughter, at the
21 See fn. 12.