Brihadashva said : The king Nala, having passed that night in peace, decked himself in gay ornaments; and, with Damayanti by his side, appeared before the king in due time.

Thereupon Nala saluted his father-in-law; and, after him, blessed Damayanti also saluted her father.

Illustrious Bhima received him as a son with the greatest delight; as also he offered him due respects and consoled him with his devoted wife in words suited to the occasion.

King Nala, on the other hand, acknowledged the honour according to rules and offered his proper services to him (father-in-law). The citizens felt great delight to see Nala returned. Thereupon there was a great uproar of joy in the city.

The city also was gorgeously decorated by hoisting flags, standards and floral wreaths. Moreover the streets of the town were well watered, and were decorated with the garlands of flowers and various other ornaments; as also flowers were piled at the doors of the houses.

The temples of gods, too, were adorned with flowers. While all this had happened, the foremost king Rituparna became highly gratified to hear that Nala, in the guise of Bahuka, was united with Damayanti. He then called Nala, the ruler of the earth, before him; and begged his pardon.

He again, intelligent as he was, asked his forgiveness for reasons more than one. Thus regarded, the ruler of the earth, Rituparna, who was excellent in speech and acquainted with the real nature of things and who had his face struck with amazement, addressed the prince of the Nishadhas, saying, “That you, by recovering the company of your consort, have obtained greatest delight.

O prince of the Nishadh..s, O lord of the earth, perhaps I had not donc any wrong to you, while you were living in my house in disguise.

If I have done any wrong to you, with or without my knowledge, pardon me for all this,”

Nala said: O monarch, you have not done me the slightest wrong. Even if you have done any, you should be pardoned in every way; for it excited no worth in me.

O prince, formerly you had been my friend and relative; and hence that I should find enough of enjoyments in you. Indeed, I lived with you most happily with all my desires gratified.

O king, I always lived in your house most happily, not even in my own house. This your knowledge about horses now rests with me.

O monarch, if you like, I may give it to you.” Saying this, the prince of the Nishadhas made over that equestrian learning to king Rituparna.

O king, the royal son of Vangasura accepted that horse-learning, performing all the acts, as ordained by fate. And having thus received this horse-knowledge and also having made over his skill in the game at dice to the prince of the Nishadhas, he went to his own city, appointing another charioteer in the place of Bahuka.

O monarch, O lord of the earth, after Rituparna had thus gone away, prince Nala did not remain long in the city Kundina.