Ruled the subjects of his kingdom--with a just and equal sway. Of the horse the famous offering[53]--like Nahucha's mighty son, Every sacrifice performed he--with rich gifts to holy men. And full oft in flowering gardens--and delicious shady groves, Like a god, the royal Nala--took with Damayanti joy. So begat from Damayanti--Nala, of heroic soul, Indrasena one fair daughter--Indrasen one beauteous son. Thus in sacrifice and pleasance--took his joy the king of men, So the earth with riches teeming--ruled the sovereign of the earth. BOOK VI. Nala, chosen by Bhima's daughter--the bright guardians of the world, As they parted thence, with Kali[54]--Dwapara approaching saw. Kali as he saw, did Indra--did the giant-killer say, "Here, with Dwapara attended--whither, Kali, dost thou go?" Kali spake, "the Swayembara--we of Damayanti seek; Her I go to make my consort--into her mine heart hath passed." "Closed and ended is that bridal,"--Indra answered with a smile, "Nala she hath chosen for husband--in the presence of us all." Thus addressed by Indra, Kali--in the transport of his wrath, All the heavenly gods saluting,--thus his malediction spake, "Since before the Immortals' presence--she a mortal spouse did choose, Of her impious crime most justly--heavy be the penal doom." Kali hardly thus had spoken--than the heaven-born gods replied: "With our full and liberal sanction--Damayanti chose her lord. Who to Nala, with all virtue--rich endowed, would not incline? He that rightly knows each duty--he who ever rightly acts, He who reads the whole four Vedas--the Puranas too the fifth,[55] In his palace with pure offerings--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.