Nalrayavadanti Charita

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

Page 75

VOL. 40, PT. 4, 1950) TRANSLATION
335 suggestion of the queen, drove the chariot towards Nala. She thought, (161) 23 "What strange thing or Kundinapura. (145)
what great danger has befallen, o lord, that, alone in When they entered a great forest, Bhils came up to the forest, I have thus been abandoned by my lord rob them. Seizing his sword in haste, King Nala got who has gone away? My beloved must have got out of the chariot, reviling the Bhils. (146) Coming up and gone to a noble lake to wash his face. I am up from behind, the queen held Nala back. Then, certain that he will return with water, my handsome she uttered a tremendous yell. At first the Bhils were one. (162) What is the reason for his leaving me? frightened off (with Nala in pursuit). Later, they How can such a thing happen in this existence? What easily took the chariot. (147) 22
is the cause for his delay? Why does he not return When punya is amiss, then there is no happiness. now, moving with dignified step? This is the forest; Let no man be proud because of his wealth! (148) there is the place; that is the hill; those are the trees
Nala and Davadanti went along, both of them bare- [; all are here except Nala)." Not once did she catch foot, taking rest at every step like children. (149) The sight of her lord who was by nature superb and cruel darbha-grass pierced the queen's tender feet handsome. (163) till blood flowed from them. Dreadful was Nala's Troubled thus with concern for him, she recalled grief. (150) The heat of the sun was fierce and and reflected upon the dream. "The mango-tree was intense. Overcome by sunstroke, Nala's beloved my beloved King Nala. My eating of the excellent withered like a garland of flowers. (151) Thirsty, fruit was the enjoyment of the kingdom. The wild King Bhima's daughter kept asking for water, and elephant was Kūbara by whom the noble-hearted Nala, making a cup of palāśa-leaves, brought her some Nala was driven out of the kingdom. When after which she drank slowly. (152) He tore off strips (from climbing the tree I fell to the ground that was my his garment) and bandaged Davadanti's feet, and, abandonment by Nala." (164) Bitterly she wept, a taking her by the hand, he led her on, steadying helpless woman alone in difficulty. Filled with grief, her step by step. (153) She asked, "How great she writhed in her agitation like a fish on top of a hot is this forest, so full of obstacles?" Nala replied, rock. "What will become of me, o god, brought re"One-hundred yojanas. We have covered five yo- sourceless into the forest? Why doesn't the hamsa janas." (154)
appear? This grief is worse than death. (165) Tell At twilight, the king made a bed of very soft twigs me, o cruel lord, why I have been abandoned by you and covered it with half his garment. (155) Then, in whom I trusted. At your side I was overjoyed after meditating upon the Jinas and the gurus, the with hope. What sort of behavior is this! King dear one slept in confidence. While Nala sat beside Nişadha will certainly be ashamed! What is the her, Davadanti found comfort in sleep. (156) Nala crime which I have committed that such punishment is became more and more depressed at [the disgraceful visited [upon me)?" (166) thought of] living in the protection of his father-in-law. Like a child she turned first one way, then another. "A man who lives basely is foolish and brings shame Again and again she sank to the ground. Her tearupon his family. How can I go today to Kundina- filled eyes glistened as, distressed, she looked in all pura? Now, making firm my heart, I shall leave my directions. Then, as she was doing this, Davadanti beautiful dear one. Where no one knows me, [there] saw the letters Nala had written on the border of her shall I wander about as a sādhū. (157) No harm garment. She ceased grieving, and, grasping it full will come to Queen Davadanti who is a complete de- of joy, read it. (167) "Under the banyan-tree the pository of virtue. Virtue is the true protection of a path (on the right) leads to Kundinapura; that on the sati." Thus was the final outcome of Nala's subjec- left to Kośalā. So, go where you wish. Leaving my tion to the power of a previous karma.
mind beside you like a servant, o treasury of virtue, Having written on the edge of her sāsi directions in because of my disgrace I am going to wander in foreign [his] blood, Nala, after cutting his garment [in half] lands, o wise one." (168) with his sword, started out for foreign lands. (158) Bhimi, overjoyed at this statement, started out Going a distance, Nala returned then, heavy with care eagerly for her father's house, looking at Nala's writing and urged on by (his) grief. He spent the night beside as if it were the hero Nala at her side, fearless and conher deliberating. In the morning the king at last left fident. (169) Multitudes of evil and frightful creasherl. (159)
tures such as serpents, lions, wild elephants, demons[In a dream] climbing up a mango-tree covered with none of them harmed Bhimi because of her surpassing flowers and fruits, she remained (there), enjoying the virtue coming from the meditation on the Jina. (170) sweet fruits. (Davadanti speaking to herself) "The A caravan had been scattered in fright by an attack mango-tree was up-rooted by a wild elephant and, as from Bhils. Bhimi protected it with upheld hand. it fell, I straightway was on the ground." (160) Hav- Calmed, it (the caravan) obeyed her like a mother. ing had this dream Bhimi awoke (and) and, as the She, so virtuous, travelled with it. (171) maiden looked in all directions, she did not see King The sati left the caravan one night and (as she went " See fn. 12.
23 See fn. 12.