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VASUDEVA'S MARRIAGE WITH KANAKAVATÍ 107 and take the vow. Even flight is better, the result of which is spotless.'
Reflecting thus, Kadamba fled. Disgusted with existence, he took the vow and stood in statuesque posture. When Nala saw that Kadamba had taken the vow, he said: “I am defeated, Devoted to another world, do not abandon (this) world. You have the appearance of a conqueror.'
The great muni, Kadamba, observing the great vows, resolute, made no reply to Nala. For what is a king to a man without desires ? Nala, having praised Kadamba, shaking his head at his strength of character, installed his (Kadamba's) son, Jayasakti, on the throne. Then the induction of King Nala, victorious like Vișnu, into the lordship of half of Bharata was made by all the kings. All the kings, skilled in devotion, gave presents to the lord of Kośala who wished to go to Kośalā. His power celebrated in song by the Khecaris also, sporting with Bhaimi, Nala ruled the earth for a long time.
Loss of the kingdom (436-469)
Kūbara, the firebrand of his family, desiring the kingdom, searched for a trick against Nala, like a female demon against a good man. Nala had always been devoted to gambling, although well-behaved. Even the moon has a spot. Where is the jewel without a flaw? With the thought, “I shall win this country,' hard-hearted Kūbara enticed Nala into playing with dice all the time. They played a great deal of time at gambling with dice and the winnings of both advanced like the knot of a damaru. 123
One day Nala, though expert in gama, cara, bandha, mokşa, bewildered by fate, was not able to defeat Kūbara. The dice, even though wishing to do so, did not fall favorably to Nala and cruel Kūbara took his men again and again.
123 439. The damaruka is a small drum shaped like an hour-glass, with a string at the center with a knot in its end. When the drum is shaken, the knot strikes the ends of the drum alternately.
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