And he asked himself, ’Why is it that my daughter seemeth to be so ill now?’ And the king, reflecting by himself that his daughter had attained to puberty, concluded that Damayanti’s Swayamvara should take place.  And the monarch, O exalted one, (invited) all the rulers of the earth, saying, Ye heroes, know that Damayanti’s Swayamvara is at hand, And all the kings, hearing of Damayanti’s Swayamvara, came unto Bhima, agreeable to his message, filling the earth with the clatter of their cars, the roar of their elephants, and the neighing of their horses, and accompanied with their fine-looking battalions decked in ornaments and graceful garlands.  And the mighty-armed Bhima paid due reverence unto those illustrious monarchs.  And duly honoured by him they took up their quarters there.’

“And at the juncture, those foremost of celestial Rishis possessed of great splendour, of great wisdom and great vows—­namely, Narada and Parvata—­having arrived in course of their wandering at the regions of Indra entered the mansion of the lord of the immortals, receiving proper worship.  And Maghavat having worshipped them reverentially, inquired after their undisturbed peace and welfare as regards all respects.  And Narada said, ’O lord, O divine one, peace attendeth us in every respect.  And, O Maghavat, peace attendeth also O exalted one, the kings of the whole world.’

“Vrihadaswa continued.  ’Hearing the words of Narada the slaver of Vala and Vritra said, ’Those righteous rulers of the earth who fight renouncing all desire of life, and who meet death when their time is come by means of weapons, without flying from the field,—­theirs is this region, everlasting unto them and granting all desires, even as it is to me.  Where be those Kshatriya heroes?  I do not see those kings approach (now) Where are my favourite guests?’ Thus addressed by Sakra, Narada replied, ’Listen, O Mahavat, why seest not thou the kings (now)?  The ruler of the Vidarbhas hath a daughter—­the celebrated Damayanti.  In beauty she transcendeth all the women of the earth.  Her Swayamvara, O Sakra, will take place shortly.  Thither are going all the kings and Princes from all directions.  And all the lords of the earth desire to have that pearl of the earth,—­desire to have her eagerly, O slaver of Vala and Vritra.’  And while they were talking thus, those foremost of the immortals, the Lokapalas with Agni among them, appeared before the lord of the celestials.  And all of them heard the words of Narada fraught with grave import.  And as soon as they heard them, they exclaimed in rapture, We also will go there.  And, O mighty monarch, accompanied by their attendants and mounted on their (respective) vehicles, they set out for the country of Vidarbhas, whither (had gone) all the kings.  And, O son of Kunti, the high-souled king Nala also hearing of that concourse of kings, set out with a cheerful heart, full of Damayanti’s love.  And (it came to pass) that the gods saw Nala on the way treading on the earth.  And his