'Now the daughter of king Bhima--will a second husband choose, 'Free from every tie, as wills she--as her fancy may beseem,' Hearing this, came hither speeding--king Bhangasuri in haste." Damayanti, when from Nala--heard she this his grievous charge, With her folded hands, and trembling--thus to Nala made reply: "Do not me, O noble-minded--of such shameless guilt suspect, Thou, when I the gods rejected--Nala, wert my chosen lord. Only thee to find, the Brahmins--went to the ten regions forth, Chaunting to their holy measures--but the words that I had taught. Then that Brahmin wise, Parnada--such the name he bears, O king, Thee in Kosala, the palace--of king Rituparna saw. There to thee, my words addressed he--answer there from thee received. I this subtle wile imagined--king of men, to bring thee here. Since, beside thyself, no mortal--in the world, within the day, Could drive on the fleetest coursers--for a hundred Yojanas. To attest this truth, O monarch!--thus I touch thy sacred feet; Even in heart have I committed--never evil thought 'gainst thee. He through all the world that wanders--witness the all-seeing wind,[135] Let him now of life bereave me--if in this 'gainst thee I've sinned: And the sun that moveth ever--over all the world, on high, Let him now of life bereave me--if in this 'gainst thee I've sinned. Witness, too, the moon that permeates--every being's inmost thought; Let her too of life bereave me--if in this 'gainst thee I've sinned. These three gods are they that govern--these three worlds, so let them speak; This my sacred truth attest they--or this day abandon me." Thus adjured, a solemn witness--spake the wind from out the air; "She hath done or thought no evil--Nala, 'tis the truth we speak: King, the treasure of her virtue--well hath Damayanti kept, We ourselves have seen and watched her--closely for three livelong years. This her subtle wile she plotted--only for thy absent sake, For beside thyself no mortal--might a hundred Yojanas drive. Thou hast met with Bhima's daughter--Bhima's daughter meets with thee, Cast away all jealous scruple--to thy bosom take thy wife." Even as thus the wind was speaking--flowers fell showering all around:[136] And the gods sweet music sounded--on the zephyr floating light. As on this surpassing wonder--royal Nala stood and gazed, Of the blameless Damayanti--melted all his jealous doubts. Then by dust all undefiled--he the heavenly vest put on, Thought upon the King of Serpents--and his proper form resumed. In his own proud form her husband--Bhima's royal daughter saw, Loud she shrieked, the undespised--and embraced the king of men. Bhima's daughter, too, king Nala--shining glorious as of old, Clasped unto his heart, and fondled--gently that sweet infant pair.