of Varshneya. After Nala
had, O beauteous one, left his kingdom, he came to the son of
Bhangasura. I am skilled in horse-lore, and have, therefore, been
appointed as charioteer. Indeed, king Rituparna hath himself chosen me
as his charioteer and cook." At this Kesini rejoined, "Perhaps Varshneya
knoweth where king Nala hath gone, and O Vahuka, he may also have spoken
to thee (about his master)." Vahuka then said, "Having brought hither
the children of Nala of excellent deeds, Varshneya went away whither he
listed: He doth not know where Naishadha is. Nor, O illustrious one,
doth anybody else know of Nala's whereabouts; for the king (in calamity)
wandereth over the world in disguise and despoiled of (his native)
beauty. Nala's self only knoweth Nala. Nala never discovereth his marks
of identity anywhere." Thus addressed, Kesini returned, "The Brahmana
that had before this gone to Ayodhya, had repeatedly said these words
suitable to female lips, 'O beloved gambler, where hast thou gone
cutting off half my piece of cloth, and deserting me, his dear and
devoted wife asleep in the woods? And she herself, as commanded by him,
waiteth expecting him clad in half a garment and burning day and night
in grief. O king, O hero, do thou relent towards her that weepeth
ceaselessly for that calamity and do thou give her an answer. O
illustrious one, do thou speak the words agreeable to her for the
blameless one panteth to hear them.' Hearing these words of the Brahmana
thou didst formerly give a reply! The princess of Vidarbha again wisheth
to hear the words thou didst then say."'

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O son of the Kuru race, hearing these words of
Kesini, Nala's heart was pained, and his eyes filled with tears. And
repressing his sorrow, the king who was burning in grief, said again
these words, in accents choked with tears: "Chaste women, though
overtaken by calamity, yet protect themselves, and thereby secure
heaven. Women that are chaste, deserted by their lords, never become
angry, but continue to live, cased in virtue's mail. Deserted by one
fallen into calamity, bereft of sense, and despoiled of bliss, it
behoveth her not to be angry. A virtuous lady should not be angry with
one that was deprived by birds of his garment while striving to procure
sustenance and who is burning in misery. Whether treated well or ill she
would never be angry, seeing her husband in that plight, despoiled of
his kingdom, bereft of prosperity, oppr