olumns[43]--rich, and glittering portal arch,
Like the lions on the mountains--entered they the hall of state.
There the lords of earth were seated--each upon his several throne;
All their fragrant garlands wearing--all with pendant ear-gems rich.
Arms were seen robust and vigorous--as the ponderous battle mace,
Some like the five-headed serpents--delicate in shape and hue:[44]
With bright locks profuse and flowing--fine formed nose, and eye and brow,
Shone the faces of the rajas--like the radiant stars in heaven.
As with serpents, Bhogavati[45]--the wide hall was full of kings;
As the mountain caves with tigers--with the tiger-warriors full.
Damayanti in her beauty--entered on that stately scene,
With her dazzling light entrancing--every eye and every soul.
O'er her lovely person gliding--all the eyes of those proud kings;
There were fixed, there moveless rested--as they gazed upon the maid.
Then as they proclaimed the rajas--(by his name was each proclaimed)
In dismay saw Bhima's daughter--five in garb, in form the same.
On those forms, all undistinguished--each from each, she stood and gazed.
In her doubt Vidarbha's princess--Nala's form might not discern,[46]
Whichsoe'er the form she gazed on--him her Nala, him she thought.
She within her secret spirit--deeply pondering, stood and thought:
"How shall I the gods distinguish?--royal Nala how discern?"
Pondering thus Vidarbha's maiden--in the anguish of her heart--
Th' attributes of the immortals--sought, as heard of yore, to see.
"Th' attributes of each celestial--that our aged sires describe,
As on earth they stand before me--not of one may I discern."
Long she pondered in her silence--and again, again she thought.
To the gods, her only refuge--turned she at this trying hour.
With her voice and with her spirit--she her humble homage paid.
Folding both her hands and trembling--to the gods the maiden spake:
"As when heard the swan's sweet language--chose I then Nishadha's king,
By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye gods, reveal my lord;
As in word or thought I swerve not--from my faith, all-knowing powers,
By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye gods, reveal my lord.
As the gods themselves have destined--for my lord Nishadha's king;
By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye gods, my lord reveal.
As my vow, so pledged to Nala--holily mus