ngs--ever are the gods adored,
Gentle to all living creatures--true in word and strict in vow;
Good and constant he, and generous--holy, temperate, patient, pure;
His are all these virtues ever--equal to the earth-guarding gods.
Thus endowed, the noble Nala--he, O Kali, that would curse,
On himself recoil his curses--only fatal to himself.
Nala, gifted with such virtues--he, O Kali, who would curse--
Be he plunged in hell's dark torments--in the deep and vasty lake."
Thus the gods to Kali speaking--to their native heavens arose.
Soon as they had parted, Kali--thus to Dwapara began:
"I my wrath can curb no longer--I henceforth in Nala dwell;
From his kingdom will I cast him--from his bliss with his sweet bride.
Thou within the dice embodied--Dwapara my cause assist."

BOOK VII.

Bound by that malignant treaty--Kali with his dark ally,
Haunted they the stately palace--where Nishadha's monarch ruled;
Watching still the fatal instant--in Nishadha long they dwelt.
Twelve long years had passed ere Kali--saw that fatal instant come.
Nala after act uncleanly--the ablution half performed,[56]
Prayed at eve, with feet unwashen--Kali seized the fatal hour.
Into Nala straight he entered--and possessed his inmost soul.
Pushkara in haste he summoned--come with Nala play at dice,
Ever in the gainful hazard--by my subtle aid thou'lt win,
Even the kingdom of Nishadha--even from Nala all his realm.
Pushkara by Kali summoned--to his brother Nala came,
In the dice of dice embodied[57]--Dwapara stood silent by.
Pushkara the hero-slayer--to king Nala standing near:
"Play we with the dice, my brother,"--thus again, again he said.
Long the lofty-minded raja--that bold challenge might not brook,
In Vidarbha's princess' presence--deemed he now the time for play.
For his wealth, his golden treasures--for his chariots, for his robes,
Then possessed by Kali, Nala--in the game was worsted still.
He with love of gaming maddened,--of his faithful friends not one
Might arrest the desperate frenzy--of the conqueror of his foes.
Came the citizens assembling--with the counsellors of state,
To behold the king approached they--to restrain his dread disease.
Then the charioteer advancing[58]--thus to Damayanti spake:
"All the city, noble princess--stands assembled at the gate,
Say thou to Nishadha's mo