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CHAPTER THRÉE,
do you resent it uselessly because you were not chosen by Davadanti? I have been chosen by Davadanti. So you desire another's wife, regardless of the sin. Nevertheless, you die, villain.' With these words, Nala drew his sword and whirled it in his hand, his brilliance unbearable like a fire, his lip trembling with anger. At once the armies of both Nala and Krsnaraja put on their armor and took up weapons that penetrated vulnerable places.
Davadanti thought: Alas! I am the cause of the strife that has arisen. Why is my merit lost? If I am worthy, mother messenger-deity, let Nala be victorious. Let there be peace between the two armies.' After these words, Davadanti picked up a pitcher of water and threw three jets of water (on them) in order to stop the evil. Kṛṣṇarāja, his head struck by the mass of water, became at once deprived of brilliance like charcoal that has been extinguished. Then through the power of the messenger-deity the sword fell from King Kṛṣṇa's hand, like a ripe leaf from a tree. His power destroyed, like a snake without poison, Krsna thought:
6
Nala is no ordinary man. I reviled him without reflection. He is entitled to obeisance.' With these reflections, Kṛṣṇa bowed at Nala's feet like a messenger who had come on a mission. His hands placed to his forehead, humble, he said, 'This transgression of a fool was committed without reflection. Pardon me, master.' Nala honored Kṛṣṇa and dismissed him submissive. Bhima considered that his daughter had merit because of his son-in-law's virtues.
After Bhima had entertained and dismissed each of the other kings, he arranged the marriage-festival of Nala and Davadanti. When the marriage-festival had taken place, King Bhima gave Nala horses, elephants, et cetera suitable to his own position at the releasing of their hands. The newlymarried bride and groom, wearing marriage-ribbons (on the wrist),117 auspicious songs being sung by old women of the
117 368. See above, n. 101.
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