Damayanti Recognized and Reunited with Her Aunt

Sunanda heard Sudeva's words. She looked at the woman who had been living in her house, the woman she had taken in without knowing who she was. And she reached out and cleaned the dirt that covered the mark on Damayanti's forehead. The dirt came away. The mark emerged — a lotus, natural, unmistakable — like the moon appearing in a clear sky after the clouds have passed. Sunanda and the king's mother both saw it. They wept. They embraced Damayanti and stood there for some time, holding her, unable to speak. Then the king's mother spoke, her voice soft through her tears. "From this mark I know that you are my sister's daughter. Your mother and I are the daughters of the great-souled Sudamna, the king of Dasharna. She was given to King Bhima, and I was given to Virabahu. I saw you being born, in my father's house in Dasharna." She told Damayanti that this house was like her father's house. That all her riches were Damayanti's. Damayanti's mind rejoiced. She showed her respects to her mother's sister — the aunt she had not known she had — and spoke. "Even though I was unknown, I lived here happily. I received all the objects of my desire and was always protected by you. There is no doubt that my stay here will now be happier still. But I have been away from home for a long time. Please give me permission to leave. My children have been taken there and the young ones are living there. They must be sorrowful because they are without their father and without me. How are they? I wish to go to Vidarbha. If you wish to do something that brings me pleasure, please give instructions that transport arrangements are made swiftly." Her aunt agreed happily. With her son's consent, she arranged for a handsome vehicle carried by men, guarded by a large force, stocked with plenty of food, drink, and garments.