and the steeds (of Nala) regarded the clatter of that car to be like that which they used to hear in days of yore when king Nala himself urged his own steeds.  And the peacocks on the terraces, and the elephants in the stables, and the horses also, all heard the rattle of Rituparna’s car.  And hearing the sound, so like the roar of the clouds, the elephants and the peacocks, O king, began to utter their cries, facing that direction, and filled with delight such as they experience when they hear the actual roar of the clouds.  And Damayanti said, “Because the rattle of his car filling the whole earth, gladdens my heart, it must be King Nala (that has come).  If I do not see Nala, of face bright as the moon, that hero with countless virtues, I shall certainly die.  If I am not clasped today in that hero’s thrilling embrace, I shall certainly cease to be.  If Naishadha with voice deep as that of the clouds doth not come to me today, I shall enter into a pyre of golden brilliance.  If that foremost of kings, powerful as a lion and gifted with the strength of an infuriated elephant, doth not present himself before me, I shall certainly cease to live.  I do not remember a single untruth in him, or a single wrong done by him to others.  Never hath he spoken an untruth even in jest.  Oh, my Nala is exalted and forgiving and heroic and magnificent and superior to all other kings, and faithful to his marriage vow and like unto a eunuch in respect of other females.  Night and day dwelling upon his perceptions, my heart, in absence of that dear one, is about to burst in grief.”

“’Thus bewailing as if devoid of sense, Damayanti, O Bharata, ascended the terrace (of her mansion) with the desire of seeing the righteous Nala.  And in the yard of the central mansion she beheld king Rituparna on the car with Varshneya and Vahuka.  And Varshneya and Vahuka, descending for that excellent vehicle, unyoked the steeds, and kept the vehicle itself in a proper place.  And king Rituparna also, descending from the car, presented himself before king Bhima possessed of terrible prowess.  And Bhima received him with great respect, for in the absence of a proper occasion, a great person cannot be had (as a guest).  And honoured by Bhima, king Rituparna looked about him again and again, but saw no traces of the Swayamvara.  And the ruler of the Vidarbhas, O Bharata, approaching Rituparna, said, “Welcome!  What is the occasion of this thy visit?” And king Bhima asked this without knowing that Rituparna had come to obtain the hand of his daughter.  And king Rituparna, of unbaffled prowess and gifted with intelligence, saw that there were no other kings or princes.  Nor did he hear any talk relating to the Swayamvara, nor saw any concourse of Brahmanas.  And at this, the king of Kosala reflected a while and at length said, “I have come here to pay my respects to thee.”  And the king Bhima was struck with astonishment, and reflected upon the (probable) cause of Rituparna’s