And residing there, the king (Nala),
remembering the princess of Vidarbha, recited every evening the
following _sloka_: "_Where lieth that helpless one afflicted with hunger
and thirst and worn with toil, thinking of that wretch? And upon whom
also doth she now wait?_" And once as the king was reciting this in the
night, Jivala asked him saying, "O Vahuka, whom dost thou lament thus
daily? I am curious to hear it. O thou blest with length of days, whose
spouse is she whom thus lamentest?" Thus questioned, king Nala answered
him, saying, "A certain person devoid of sense had a wife well-known to
many. That wretch was false in his promises. For some reason that wicked
person was separated from her. Separated from her, that wretch wandered
about oppressed with woe, and burning with grief he resteth not by day
or night. And at night, remembering her, he singeth this _sloka_. Having
wandered over the entire world, he hath at last found a refuge, and
undeserving of the distress that hath befallen him, passeth his days,
thus remembering his wife.
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