“It is joy to me that thou dost again possess great treasure to enable thee to play. It is joy also to me that I can win Damayantí with faultless limbs. Soon, indeed, will Bhima's daughter be decorated with the treasure which I shall win; she shall stand by my side as Apsarás, queen of heaven, stands beside Indra. Long have I waited for thee so that I might win Damayantí and be fully satisfied.”
Nala would fain have drawn his sword, but composed himself, and, with angry eyes and scornful smile, he said: “Cease this idle chatter and let us play. Thereafter thou wilt have no desire to speak.”
Immediately the two brothers set to the game, and Nala won at a single hazard all that he had lost. Then he smiled and said: “Now the whole kingdom is mine once again. Fallen monarch! never wilt thou behold the fair Damayantí because thou art become her slave.... Know now, that thou didst not triumph heretofore by reason of thine own skill, but because Kali aided thee, nor didst thou perceive this, O fool!... But fear not that I will take vengeance.... I give thee back thy life. Thou wilt have an estate and revenues and my friendship, because I remember, O Pushkara, that thou art my brother.... Mayst thou live for a hundred years!”
Then Nala embraced his brother, who did homage with hands folded, saying: “May thy splendour endure for ever! May thou live for ten thousand years! Thou hast given me my life and a city in which to live.”
Pushkara remained with Nala for a month, and then went his way to his own domain.
All Nishadha rejoiced because that their rightful king had returned. The counsellors of state did homage before Nala, and said: “There is great joy now in city and country, and the people come to honour thee even as Indra is honoured by all the gods.”
When the rejoicings were over, and the city of Nishadha was again tranquil, Damayantí returned home escorted by a great army, and she brought great treasures which her royal sire Bhima, the terrible in strength, had conferred upon her. With the long-eyed queen came her children also.
Thereafter Nala lived in happiness like unto the mighty Indra, being happily restored to his kingdom, and once again the monarch among men. He achieved great renown as a ruler, and he performed every holy rite with munificence and devotion.