Then Bhima, hearing, called his Bráhmanas Patient and wise, and issued hest to go Into all regions, seeking for the Prince. But first, by mandate of the Maharaja, To Damayanti all those twice-born came, Saying: "Now we depart!" Then Bhima's child Gave ordinance: "To whatsoever lands Ye wend, say this--wherever gather men, Say this--in every place these verses speak:-- Whither art thou departed, cruel lover, Who stole the half of thy belovèd's cloth, And left her to awaken, and discover The wrong thou wroughtest to the love of both? She, as thou didst command, a sad watch keepeth, With woful heart wearing the rended dress. Prince, hear her cry who thus forever weepeth; Be mindful, hero; comfort her distress! And, furthermore," the Princess said, "since fire Leaps into flame when the wind fans the spark, Be this too spoken, that his heart may burn:-- By every husband nourished and protected Should every wife be. Think upon the wood! Why these thy duties hast thou so neglected, Prince, that was called noble and true and good? Art then become compassionate no longer, Shunning, perchance, my fortune's broken way? Ah, husband, love is most! let love be stronger; _Ahimsa paro dharma_,[25] thou didst say. These verses while ye speak," quoth the Princess, "Should any man make answer, note him well In any place; and who he is, and where He dwells. And if one listens to these words Intently, and shall so reply to them, Good Bráhmans, hold ye fast his speech, and bring, Breath by breath, all of it unto me here; But so that he shall know not whence ye speak, If ye go back. Do this unweariedly; And if one answer--be he high or low, Wealthy or poor--learn all he was and is, And what he would." Hereby enjoined, they went, Those twice-born, into all the lands to seek Prince Nala in his loneliness. Through towns, Cities and villages, hamlets and camps, By shepherds' huts and hermits' caves, they passed, Searching for Nala; yet they found him not; Albeit in every region (O my king!) The words of Damayanti, as she taught, Spake they again in hearing of all men. Suddenly--after many days--there came A Bráhman back, Parnâda he was called, Who unto Bhima's child in this wise spake:-- "O Damayanti, seeking Nala still, Ayodhyâ's streets I entered, where I saw The Maharaja; he--noble-minded one!-- Heard me thy verses say, as thou hadst said; Great Rituparna heard those very words, Excellent Princess; but he answered nought; And no man answered, out of all the throng Ofttimes addressed. But when I had my leave And was withdrawn, a man accosted me Privately--one of Rituparna's train, Vahûka named, the Raja's charioteer