Nala and Damayanti and Other Poems

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