Even as the wind was speaking, flowers fell out of heaven all around them,[325] and the soft music of the gods floated down the wind. Nala marvelled greatly, and gazed with love upon the innocent Damayantí. Then he put on the holy garment and thought upon the king of serpents. Immediately he resumed his own form, and the daughter of Bhima beheld her lost husband once again.
Damayantí shrieked and embraced Nala, and she hid her face in his bosom. He was again travel-worn and dust-stained as he clasped her to his heart, and she sighed softly. Long they stood there, speaking no words, in silent ecstasy.... The children were brought in and Nala embraced them once more.
Then did the queen, who rejoiced greatly, inform Bhima of Nala's return, and he said: “When he has performed his ablutions he will be re-united to Damayantí on the morrow.”
The whole night long the happy pair sat together in the palace relating all that had befallen them during the years that they were parted one from another.
On the morn that followed Nala was again wedded to Damayantí, and thereafter he paid homage to Bhima. The glad tidings of his return spread swiftly through the city, and there was great rejoicing. Soon all the houses were decorated with banners and garlands; the streets were watered and strewn with flowers. The altars of the gods were also adorned.
When Rituparna came to know that his charioteer, Váhuka, was the Rajah of Nishadha, he was well pleased, and he went into Nala's presence and said: “May thou have joy with thy queen to whom thou art re-united. Have I ever done aught unjustly unto thee whilst thou wert in my palace? If so, I now seek thy forgiveness.”
Said Nala, “No injustice have I ever suffered from thee, mine old friend and kinsman.... I give thee fully all I have—my skill in steeds.”
Rituparna was grateful unto Nala for his gift. He gave in return fuller instruction in the science of dice, and thereafter departed to his own city.
When a month had gone past Nala took leave of King Bhima and went towards Nishadha with one great chariot, sixteen elephants, fifty armed horsemen, and six hundred foot soldiers. The whole force entered the city boldly and made the earth to shake. Nala at once went before Pushkara and said: “I would fain throw dice with thee once again. I have much wealth and will stake all my treasure and even Damayantí upon the hazard. Thou, Pushkara, must stake thy kingdom. Let us stake everything; let us play for our lives. And know, too, that, according to ancient law, he who wins a kingdom by gambling must accept the challenge to play the counter game.... If thou wilt not play, then let us settle our difference in single combat.”
Pushkara restrained from smiling, for he was confident of success, so with haughty contempt he made answer: