Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories

SR No.: 016059
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 288
Language: English
Classification: Dictionary & Dictionary
File Size: 15 MB

Page 227

fight.' Then the two began to engage in wrestling and other combats. Whatever kind of contest Kadamba challenged Nala to, he was beaten in by Nala. Then Kadamba fled, and took to a life of mortification, and remained in the statuesque posture. While in that posture, he was thus addressed by Nala: 'I am vanquished by thee by means of this holy conduct, so rule thy own kingdom.' But Kadamba would not take the kingdom, having abandoned longing for such things. And then Nala, pleased with the goodness of Kadamba, placed his son, who was named Jayaçakti, on the throne. Then the kings anointed Nala king of half India. Then Nala returned to Koçalá, and there he spent his time in various amusements with Davadantí.* Kúvara, the firebrand of his own family, being desirous of the kingdom, kept seeking a stratagem against Nala. One day, by the power of fate, Nala contracted the vice of gambling; then Kúvara played with Nala, thinking to himself: I will take his kingdom from him.' And a long time passed, during which victory first fell to one and then to the other, as the hand alternately strikes the two faces of a drum. One day, as fate would have it, Nala could not beat Kúvara; the die he wished for would not fall to Nala. Then the cruel Kúvara again slew Nala's pieces ;t then Kúvara won from Nala cities, villages, fields, and market-towns, and so on, until Nala, being deprived of his wealth, was like a lake being deprived of water in the hot season; the people were despondent. Kúvara was delighted at having his wish granted by the blind power of gambling; the people devoted to Nala lamented; and Davadantí came, hearing that lamentation. She said: King, do me a favour. I entreat you, abandon this bad habit of gambling. Truly these dice are, like enemies, clever to bring you calamity. Give, if you like, this kingdom to your younger brother Kúvara with your own hand, but do not gain for yourself disgrace. This kingdom has been won by many warlike efforts, and the
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C
* Here the MSS. have Damadanti.
The game appears to have resembled backgammon.