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CHAPTER THREE
Nala lost villages, poor towns, towns with earthen walls, et cetera gradually and he was being deprived of his wealth like a pool of its water in summer.
All the people were depressed when Nala did not stop gambling but Kubara rejoiced exceedingly at his wish being fulfilled. Devoted to Nala, the people began to say 'Ha! Ha!' and Davadanti, hearing this lamentation, went there. She said: 'Lord, beg you, favor me. Stop gambling. The dice are hostile to you, like enemies. Wise men make use of gambling like visiting a courtesan, merely for sport, lord, but not to blind themselves in this way. Give a choice kingdom to Kūbara, your younger brother, yourself. Do not cause criticism of yourself by people saying, "(His) wealth was taken away by force." For your land, which was won by hundreds of battles, to be lost by gambling grieves me exceedingly, Your Majesty, like a needle that has entered my ear."
Nala did not hear her speech nor even see her, like an elephant that has reached the tenth stage of rutting.124 Scorned completely by her husband, weeping, Davadanti said to the family-ministers and others: 'Stop Nala from gambling.' Their speech, also, did not have the slightest effect on Nala, just like an herb on one struck by lightning. Nala became a fire, no less. His kingdom having been lost in gambling, he lost his harem, even including Davadanti. When all his property had been lost, Nala took all his ornaments, et cetera, from his person, like one who intends to become a mendicant. Then Kübara said to Nala: Do not stay here. Leave my country. The kingdom was given to you by our father; it has been given to me by dice.' Saying to him, 'Wealth is not far away for the powerful. Do not be arrogant,' Nala then set forth, taking no property except an upper garment. To Bhaimi clinging to Nala, Kubara said in a terrible. voice: 'I won you at gambling. Do not go. Ornament my 124 449. I can find nothing on 10 stages of rutting. Seven stages are frequently described. See I, n. 359 and Edgerton, The Elephant-Lore of the Hindus, pp. 32, 82-85.
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