जित्वा परस्वमाहृत् राज्यंवा यदि वा वसु। प्रतिपाणः प्रदातव्यः प्राणो हि पणमुच्यते
Whether one wins the other's wealth or kingdom, the stake must be given; for life itself is said to be the wager.
न चेद्वाञ्छसि तद्द्यूतं युद्धद्यूतं प्रवर्तताम्। द्वैरथेनास्तु वै शान्तिस्तव वा मम वा नृप
If you do not desire this game of dice, then let a contest of arms commence; let there be peace for you or for me, O king, through single combat.
वंशभोज्यमिदं राज्यमर्थितव्यं यथा तथा। येनकेनाप्युपायेन वृद्धानामिति शासनम्
This kingdom is to be enjoyed by the lineage, to be sought after as is proper; by whatever means, such is the command of the elders.
द्वयोरेकतरे बुद्धिः क्रियतामद्य पुष्कर। कैतवेनाक्षवत्यां वा युद्धे वा नाम्यतां धनुः
Let a decision be made today between us two, Pushkara: whether by deceit at dice, or by battle, let the bow be bent.
नैषधेनैवमुक्तस्तु पुष्करः प्रहसन्निव। ध्रुवमात्मजयं मत्वा प्रत्याह निषधाधिपम्
Thus addressed by Nala, Pushkara, as if laughing, certain of his own victory, replied to the lord of Nishadha.
दिष्ट्या त्वयाऽर्जितं वित्तं प्रतिपाणाय नैषध। दिष्ट्या च दुष्कृतंकर्म दमयन्त्याः क्षयं गतम्
By fortune, you have gained wealth to stake, O Nala; and by fortune, the misdeed of Damayanti has come to an end.
दिष्ट्या वै प्रीसे राजन्मम लाभाय नैषध। पुनर्द्यूते च ते बुद्धिर्दिष्ट्या पुरुषसत्तम
By fortune, I am pleased, O king, for my gain, O Nala; and by fortune, your mind is again set on dice, best of men.
धनेनानेन वै भैमी जितेन समलंकृता। मामुपस्थास्यति व्यक्तं दिवि शक्रमिवाप्सराः
With this wealth, having won Bhimi's daughter, adorned, she will surely attend upon me, like an Apsaras upon Indra in heaven.
नित्यशो हि स्मरामि त्वां प्रतीक्षेऽपि च नैषध। देवने च मभ प्रीतिर्भवत्येवासुहृद्गणैः
Constantly do I remember you, and I await you, O Nala; yet in the game, my joy is with my own companions, not with you.
जित्वात्वद्य वरारोहां दमयन्तीमनिन्दिताम्। कतकृत्यो भविष्यामि सा हिमे नित्यशो हृदि
But today, having won the faultless Damayanti of lovely hips, I shall be satisfied; she will ever dwell in my heart.
श्रुत्वा तु तस् ता वाचो बह्वबद्धप्रलापिनः। इयेष स शिरश्छेत्तुं खङ्गेन कुपितो नलः
Hearing those many incoherent and boastful words, Nala, enraged, wished to cut off his head with his sword.
स्मयंस्तु रोषताम्राक्षस्तमुवाच नलो नृपः। पणावः किं व्याहरसे जितो न व्याहरिष्यसि
Smiling, though his eyes were red with anger, King Nala said to him, 'Why do you speak of wagers? When defeated, you will not speak so.'
ततः प्रावर्तत द्यूतं पुष्करस्य नलस्य च। एकपाणेन भद्रं ते नलेन स पराजितः
Then the game of dice began between Pushkara and Nala; with one hand, may it be well for you—Pushkara was defeated by Nala.
स रत्नकोशनिचयैः प्राणेन पणितोपि च। जित्वा च पुष्करं राजा प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्
He, having staked heaps of jewels and even his life, and having defeated Pushkara, the king laughed and spoke these words.
मम सर्वमिदं राज्यमव्यग्रं हतकण्ठकम्। वैदर्भी न त्वया शक्या राजापशद वीक्षितम्। तस्यास्त्वं सपरीवारो मूढ दासत्वमागतः
All my kingdom is undisturbed and free from threats; but you, O outcast from royal circles, cannot even look upon the Vidarbha princess. You and your retinue, foolish one, have come into servitude to her.
न त्वया तत्कृतंकर्म येनाहं विजितः पुरा। कलिना तत्कृतं कर्म त्वं च मूढ न बुध्यसे
It was not by your actions that I was once defeated; it was the work of Kali. You, foolish one, do not understand this.
नाहं परकृतं दोषं त्वय्याधास्ये कथंचन। यथासुखं वै जीवत्वंप्राणानवसृजामि ते
I will never place the blame for another's deed upon you. Live as you wish; I grant you your life.
तथैव सर्वसंभारं स्वमंशं वितरामि ते। तथैव च मम प्रीतिस्त्वयि वीर न संशयः
In the same way, I will give you all provisions and your rightful share. Likewise, my affection for you, O hero, is certain.
सौहार्दं चापि मे त्वत्तो न कदाचित्प्रहास्यति। पुष्कर त्वं हि मे भ्राता संजीव शरदः शतम्
My friendship with you will never be abandoned. O Puṣkara, you are my brother; may you live a hundred autumns.
एवं नलः सान्त्वयित्वा भ्रातरं सत्यविक्रमः। वचनैस्तोषयामास परिष्वज्य पुनः पुनः
Thus Nala, steadfast in truth, comforted his brother with words, repeatedly embracing him.
सान्त्वितो नैषधेनैवं पुष्ररः प्रत्युवाच तम्। पुण्यश्लोकं तदा राजन्नभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः
Consoled by Nala in this way, Puṣkara replied to him, O king of sacred fame, bowing with joined palms.
कीर्तिरस्तु तवाक्षय्या जीव वर्षायुतं सुखी। यो मे वितरसि प्राणानधिष्ठानं च पार्थिव
May your glory be unfading; live happily for ten thousand years, O king, you who grant me life and a place to stand.
स तथा सत्कृतो राज्ञा मासमुष्य तदा नृपः। प्रययौ पुषरो हृष्टः स्वपुरं स्वजनावृतः
Thus honored by the king, Puṣkara, delighted, departed for his own city, surrounded by his people.
महत्या सेनया सार्धंविनीतैः परिचारकैः। भ्राजमान इवादित्यो वपुषा पुरुषर्षभ
With a great army and disciplined attendants, shining like the sun in splendor, the foremost of men.
प्रस्थाप्य पुष्करं राजा वित्तवन्तमनामयम्। प्रविवेश पुरं श्रीमानत्यर्थमुपशोभिताम्
Having sent Puṣkara away, wealthy and unharmed, the glorious king entered the city, exceedingly adorned.
प्रविश्य सान्त्वयामास पौरांश्च निषधाधिपः। `हितेषु चैषां सततं पितेवावहितोऽभवत्
Entering, the lord of Niṣadha comforted the citizens, always attentive to their welfare like a father.
पौरा जानपदाश्चापि संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहाः। ऊचुः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे सामात्यप्रमुखा जनाः
The citizens and country folk, their bodies thrilled with joy, all spoke with joined palms, led by the ministers.
अद्यस्म निर्वृता राजन्पुरे जनपदेऽपि च। उपासितुं पुनः प्राप्ता देवा इव शतक्रतुम्
Today, O king, we are content in the city and countryside; we have come again to serve you, as the gods do Indra.
प्रशान्ते तु पुरे हृष्टे संप्रवृत्ते महोत्सवे। महत्या सेनया राजा दमयन्तीमुपानयत्
When the city was peaceful and joyful, and a great festival was underway, the king brought Damayantī with a mighty army.
पुण्यश्लोकं तु राज्यस्थं श्रुत्वा भीमो महीपतिः। मुदा परमया युक्तो बभूव भरतर्षभ
Hearing that the king of sacred fame had regained his kingdom, Bhīma, lord of the earth, was filled with supreme joy, O best of Bharatas.