audiobook Slaves and Slavery in Africa: Volume One: Islam and the Ideology of Enslavement by From Routledge in History

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Excerpt: ...youth that he should go Pg 158 away deserting me in the woods while asleep overcome with fatigue? Why should he whom I formerly chose in preference to the gods themselves abandon his ever-devoted and loving wife who had become the mother also of his children? Before the fire; and in presence also of the celestials; he had taken my hand; vowing; 'Verily I will be thine.' Oh; where was that vow when he deserted me. O represser of foes." While Damayanti was saying all this; tears of sorrow began to flow plentifully from her eyes. And beholding her thus afflicted with grief; Nala also; shedding tears; black of those of the gazelle with extremities of reddish hue; said; "O timid one; neither the loss of my kingdom nor my desertion of thee was my act. Both were due to Kali. And; O foremost of virtuous women; lamenting for me day and night; and overcome with sorrow; thou hadst in the woods cursed Kali; and so he began to dwell in my body; burning in consequence of thy curse. Indeed burning with thy curse; he lived within me like fire within fire. O blessed girl; that our sorrows might terminate; that wretch have I overcome by my observances and austerities. The sinful wretch hath already left me; and it is for this that I have come hither. My presence here; O fair lady; is for thy sake. I have no other object. But; O timid one; can any other woman; forsaking her loving and devoted husband; ever choose a second lord like thee? At the command of the king; messengers are ranging this entire earth; saying; 'Bhima's daughter will; of her own accord; choose a second husband worthy of her.' Immediately on hearing this; the son of Bhangasura hath arrived here." Hearing these lamentations of Nala; Damayanti; frightened and trembling; said with joined hand; "It behoveth thee not; O blessed one; to suspect any fault in me. O ruler of the Nishadhas; passing over the celestials themselves; I choose thee as my lord. It was to bring thee hither that the Brahmanas had...