As beseemed, received with honour--on their thrones of state they sate. At this very hour the wisest--of the sages, the divine, Moving in their might ascended--up from earth to Indra's world.[27] Great in holiness and wisdom--Narada and Parvata[28] Honoured entered they the palace--of the monarch of the gods. Them salutes the cloud-compeller[29]--of their everlasting weal, Of their weal the worlds pervading--courteous asks the immortal lord. NARADA _spake_. Well it fares with us, Immortal--in our weal the world partakes-- In the world, O cloud-compeller--well it fares with all her kings. VRIHADASVA _spake_. He that Bali slew and Vritra--asked of Narada again-- All earth's just and righteous rulers--reckless of their lives in fight-- Who the shafts' descending death-blow--meet with unaverted eye-- Theirs this everlasting kingdom[30]--even as Kamadhuk is mine.[31] Where are they, the Kshetriya heroes?--wherefore see I not approach All the earth's majestic guardians--all mine ever-honoured guests. Thus addressed by holy Sakra[32]--Narada replied and said: "Hear me now, O cloud-compeller--why earth's kings appear not here. Of Vidarbha's king the daughter--Damayanti, the renowned; Through the earth the loveliest women--in her beauty she transcends-- Soon she holds her Swayembara--soon her lord the maid will choose. Thither all the kings are hastening--thither all the sons of kings. Suitors for her hand the rajas--her of all the world the pearl, O thou mighty giant slayer!--one and all approach to woo." As they spake, the world-protectors[33]--with the god of fire drew near; Of the immortals all, the highest--stood before the king of gods. As they all stood silent hearing--Narada's majestic speech, All exclaimed in sudden rapture--thither we likewise will go; All the immortals on the instant,--with their chariots, with their hosts, Hastened down towards Vidarbha--where the lords of earth were met. Nala, too, no sooner heard he--of that concourse of the kings, Set he forth, with soul all sanguine--full of Damayanti's love. Saw the gods, king Nala standing--on the surface of the earth; Standing in transcendent beauty--equal to the god of love.[34] Him beheld the world's high guardians--in his radiance like the sun; Each arrested stood and silent--at his peerless form amazed. All their chariots the celestials--in the midway air have checked. Through the blue air then descending--they Nishadha's king address. Ho! what, ho! Nishadha's monarch--Nala, king, for truth renowned; Do our bidding, bear our message--O, most excellent of men. BOOK III.