Nalrayavadanti Charita

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

Page 79

TRANSLATION
VOL. 40, PT. 4, 1950]
parna is to have him [Hundika] do this will be explained to you later. And so please have the dish prepared that everyone may eat of it." (269)
Then he cooked the dish. Everyone ate it, which quickened their hearts. When Bhimi tested the taste of the dish, she exclaimed, trembling with joy, (270) "In Bharatakhanda only Nala, who is very clever, knows how to prepare a delicious sun-cooked dish. A great guru told me this very thing. Therefore, I know that he is surely Nala." (271)
Taking him by the hand, the princess brought Hundika respectfully to the king and queen. They asked him to talk, but he would not confess. Turning he spoke to her patiently, thus: (272) "It is through a mistake in identifying me with that Nala that you have brought me to this private interview. You have never laid eyes on Nala [if] you recognize such a body [as his]! (273) Where is the comparison between King Nala, who is like Indra, and me, who am like a helldweller? If I am Nala, then I'm a king. Why shouldn't I admit it. Come with me! (Speaking to Davadanti). (274) As a master or as son-in-law spread [your] boundless love [upon me]. But leave me and pay [some] attention to Dadhiparna whom you invited. He is angry." (275)
(Hundika to Dadhiparna), "Separation from the beloved is hard for one in the fullness of youth to endure, like the disease called samnipäta. Davadanti is deranged by this. Why do you pay any attention to what she says? (276) (Hundika to Bhima), But recognition of magic arts is certainly no reliable criterion. How should I become master of more than one of the kalas either in this world or the next? (277) If you want me to become Nala, then I've become that King Nala. Give me Davadanti!" (278)
At this speech everyone became inattentive. When each one began to get up, then the daughter of Bhima, putting aside her modesty, said, "Father, listen without passing censure. (279) There is one more test. Every hair on my body becomes erect with passion, o King, when [I] am touched by Nala's hand. Therefore do this, hunchback. Touch my body with your finger now." (280)
Laughing, Hundika said, "How can the wife of Nala, with honorable intent, cause [a man] to touch her? This renowned conception of the chaste woman I regard as silly and doubtful. (281) But, maintaining my purity, I yield thus. How shall I touch her?"
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[you]. Now, how will you go, false one? (285) Even if there were grief from dwelling in the forest; still a woman would gladly be married. But to marry and abandon [me] in this way-is this conduct worthy of you? (286) How did I offend you that you cause me [this] immeasurable grief? Even now, alas, you are not satisfied. [The fact that you] have to be convinced in this fashion torments me. (287) If you are concealing compassion for me, then do not create confusion [in me] concerning you. This curious talk of yours is poison to me. Lord of my life, be gracious! (288) [You're sending] an army against an anthill! Where has your mercy gone? Show me compassion in abundance as I grasp your feet, your. slave!" (289)
Then the king forcibly moved Hundika's finger until he caused it to touch her. (282) The hair of Bhimi's body stood erect in delight. She said, "My doubt has now been dispelled. Though [he is] black and with deformed skeleton, nevertheless it is clearly Nala." (283) After sending out Bhima and the others, the girl (left) alone said, as she took Hundika's hand, "Listen well, while I tell you how chaste I have been. (284) I trusted you completely. Then you left me, hopeless, in the forest. Deceived into going to sleep, I lost
Moved in his heart by the girl's words, King Nala, filled again with love, donned the ornaments which the god had given him, and was revealed in his true formnoble. (290) Beholding his divine body, she became intoxicated with joy. Now happy, Davadanti and the king graciously came outside. (291)
Then King Bhimaratha, filled with joy, embraced the lord Nala, whose beauty was like Indra's, inducted him on his own golden throne, and with joined hands said to him with the most distinguished respect, "Kingdom, wealth, city, land, palace-all [these are] yours, your majesty. You are the lord, unequalled in power. I am your servant. (292) This is a marvel, indeed another birth, as it were. Disguising yourself, you thus concealed your identity. You don't believe in your heart that her mind has become unsteadied by love. [The fact that] she, so wise, confirming you and being certain in her mind, recognized you is sure proof, my good sir, of her chastity." (293) 26
Dadhiparna fell at Nala's feet and said, "You are my lord evermore. Whatever offenses I have committed in ignorance, forgive them all with kindly mind. (294) Through your help, o hero, I have crossed the sorrows [of the sansara], so difficult to pass over. You are my friend, like a brother." Said Nala affectionately, "Your merit knows no bounds!" (295)
Then the pious Dhanadeva, the leader of the caravan, arrived. Davadanti greeted him affectionately, and, in delight, caused devotion to be paid him. The virtuous never in his heart forgets virtue. (296) At the request of his daughter King Bhima invited Śrīvasanta, because of his true service [to her], and Candrayasas and her husband, the most excellent King Ṛtuparna, together with their daughter, because of their love [shown towards Davadanti] in former times. (297)
The chief of the monks, who had become a god through observing the Jain religion and attained the Saudharma-heaven, arrived by his supernatural power, a noble being. He bowed low to Nala's wife in the assembly and returned to heaven, raining down a shower of gold. (298)
26 See fn. 12.