"King Nala, also, having heard of the Swayamvara, was going with undaunted spirit to prove his devotion to Damayanti. When the gods saw Nala advancing along the road on the earth below them, and looking as beautiful as the God of Love and as radiant as the sun, they were so astonished that they stopped their chariots in mid-air. They even meditated a return to their own world, when they saw in Nala so powerful a rival. Soon, however, they thought out a better plan, and descended immediately from the 'sky-surface' to meet Nala. Ho, Sir! Greatest of Princes, always truthful," they said, "do as a favor. Be our messenger.""