There was a king named Nala, the son of Virasena. He was strong, and handsome, and well-versed in the knowledge of horses, and possessed of every desirable accomplishment. He resembled the sun in glory. He was the ruler of the Nishadhas, intent on the welfare of the Brahmanas, versed in the Vedas, and possessed of heroism. He was truth-telling, fond of dice, and the master of a mighty army. He was the beloved of the citizens. He was the protector of all and the foremost of archers.
And like him, there was among the Vidarbhas, a king named Bhima, of terrible prowess, heroic and well-disposed towards his subjects and possessed of every virtue. He was childless, but through a boon granted by a brahmarshi named Damana, king Bhima obtained a jewel of a daughter, and three sons of lofty souls. They were named Damayanti, and Dama, Danta, and Damana respectively.
Slender-waisted Damayanti's grace, beauty and brightness became celebrated throughout the world. Indeed her beauty filled with gladness the hearts of even the devas (demigods) in heaven.
Naturally everybody glorified the qualities of Nala and Damayanti. The travelling bards and heralds repeatedly sang praises of one in the presence of the other. Although they had not met yet, but repeatedly hearing of each other, the couple developed mutual attachment not begot of sight. That attachment began to grow in strength.
Nala, moved by the feelings of attachment in his bosom, began to pass much of his time in solitude in the gardens adjoining the inner apartment of his palace. There he saw a number of swans endowed with golden wings, and caught one of them. In exchange for freedom, the swan offered to fly to Damayanti and speak of Nala in such a way to her that she will surrender her heart to him.
Nala agreed and the swans flew northwards to the city of the Vidarbhas and landed before princess Damayanti surrounded by a bevy of beautiful maidens. The princess and her friends, filled with delight upon seeing the birds of extraordinary plumage, started chasing after them.
The particular swan that Damayanti ran after, led her to a secluded spot, and spoke to her in human language: "O Damayanti, there is a king among the Nishadhas named Nala. He is equal unto the Ashwins in beauty, not having his peer among men. Indeed, he is like Kandarpa (Cupid) himself. O fair-complexioned one, O thou of slender waist, if thou becomest his wife, thy existence and this thy beauty may be of purpose. We have, indeed, beheld celestials, Gandharvas, Nagas, Rakshasas, and men, but never have we seen before any one like Nala. Thou also art a jewel among women, as Nala is the best among men. The union of the best with the best is happy."
Damayanti replied: "Do thou speak thus unto Nala also". Saying "So be it", the swan returned to the country of the Nishadhas and related everything unto Nala.
In the meantime, Damayanti lost all peace of mind, thinking of Nala. Sighing frequently, she was filled with anxiety, and became lean and pale. King Bhima noted her condition and concluded that her swayamvara should take place. The monarch invited all the rulers of the earth to compete for the hand of his daughter in marriage.
All the kings of the world headed towards Vidarbha accompanied by their fine battalions. King Bhima received them with due honours and assigned them to their respective quarters. Even the gods (devas) in heaven heard of Damayanti's svayamvara from the celestial sage Narada Muni, and four of them, Indra, Agni, Varuna and Yama, decided to participate! Nala too set out with a cheerful heart, full of Damayanti's love.
The demigods spotted Nala along the way and astonished by his god-like personage, decided to engage him in their service. Nala agreed to do their bidding and then found out who they were and what was their purpose. "Tell her to choose one of us as her lord", said Indra.
Nala asked to be excluded: "I have come here with the same objective. It behooves thee not to send me on this errand. How can a person who is himself under the influence of infatuation bring himself to speak thus unto a lady on behalf of others? Therefore, spare me, ye gods."
The gods however insisted: "O ruler of the Nishadhas, having promised first, saying, 'I will! why wilt thou not act accordingly now?". Nala eventually agrees to carry the message of the gods to Damayanti.
When he entered the palace of Damayanti, he beheld the daughter of the king of Vidarbha surrounded by her maids and shining in beauty. She seemed to rebuke the light of the moon by her own splendour. As he gazed on that lady of sweet smiles, Nala's affection increased, but desirous of keeping his truth, he suppressed his passion.
Damayanti also, struck with amazement, smilingly addressed the warlike Nala: "Who art thou, O thou of faultless features, that hast come here awakening my love? Why hast thou come hither? And how is it that thou hast not been discovered by any one, considering that my apartments are well-guarded and the king's mandates are stern."
Nala replied, 'O beauteous lady, know that my name is Nala. I come here as the messenger of the gods. The celestials, Sakra, Agni, Varuna and Yama, desire to have thee. O beautiful lady, do thou choose one of them for thy lord. It is through their power that I have entered here unperceived, and it is for this reason that none saw me on my way or obstructed my entrance. O gentle one, I have been sent by the foremost of the celestials even for this object. Hearing this, O fortunate one, do what thou pleasest."
Damayanti addressed Nala with a smile: "O king, love me with proper regard, and command me what I shall do for thee. Myself and what else of wealth is mine are thine. Grant me, O exalted one, thy love in full trust. O king, the language of the swans is burning me. It is for thy sake, O hero, that I have caused the kings to meet. If thou forsake me who adore thee, for thy sake will I resort to poison, or fire, or water or the rope."
Nala asked her: "With the gods present, choosest thou a man? Do thou turn thy heart to those high-souled lords, unto the dust of whose feet I am not equal. Displeasing the gods, a mortal cometh by death. Save me, O thou of faultless limbs! Choose thou the all-excelling celestials."
Damayanti, with eyes bathed in tears of grief spake thus unto Nala: "O lord of the earth, bowing to all the gods, I choose thee for my lord. Truly do I tell thee this."
Nala replied unto the trembling Damayanti standing with folded hands: "O amiable one, do as thou pleasest. Having given my pledge, O blessed one, unto the gods, how can I, having come on other's mission, dare seek my own interest? If seeking my own interest consists with virtue, I will seek it, and do thou also, O beauteous one, act accordingly."
Then Damayanti slowly spoke unto king Nala, in words choked with tears: "O lord of men, I see a blameless way, by which no sin whatever will attach unto thee. Do thou, O foremost of men, come to the swayamvara together with all the gods headed by Indra. There, O monarch, in the presence of the gods, I will, O tiger among men, choose thee; at which no blame will be thine."
Thus addressed by the princess of Vidarbha, king Nala returned to where the gods were staying together and reported everything to them.
On the auspicious day of the svayamvara arrived, all the monarchs entered the amphitheatre decorated with golden pillars and a lofty arch, like mighty lions entering the mountain wilds. Then Damayanti entered the hall, stealing the eyes and hearts of all the assembled royalty by her dazzling light.
Her eyes eagerly searched for her Nala and she saw not one, but five Nalas, all alike in appearance. She thought within herself: "Oh, how shall I distinguish my beloved from the celestials?" and became filled with grief and anxiety. Meditating intensely upon the matter, she at last found the answer. She decided to seek the protection of the gods themselves. Bowing down unto them, with folded hands, she addressed them, trembling: "Since I heard the speech of the swans, I chose the king of the Nishadhas as my lord. Let the gods reveal him to me. If in thought or word, I have never swerved from him, let the gods, for the sake of that truth, reveal him to me. If the the gods themselves have destined the ruler of the Nishadhas to be my lord, let them, for the sake of that truth, reveal him to me."
Hearing Damayanti's piteous words, and ascertaining her fixed resolve and fervent affection for the king of Nishadhas, the gods did as they had been prayed to, and assumed their celestial attributes. Thereupon she beheld the celestials unmoistened by perspiration, with unblinking eyes, and unfading garlands, unstained with dust, and feet not touching the ground. And the earthly Nala was revealed by his shadow, his fading garlands, himself stained with dust and sweat, feet resting on the ground and eyes twinkling.
Damayanti then bashfully caught the hem of his garment and garlanded her beloved Nala, thus choosing him as her husband. The gods, the great rishis and all the assembled kings, applauded her. Nala, his heart filled with gladness, assured her: "Truly do I tell thee that as long as life continueth in this body of mine, I will remain thine and thine alone."
The gods conferred their blessings on the couple. Indra, Agni, Varuna and Yama gave eight boons to Nala which included the powers to call upon the elements like fire, water at his will, culinary skill, and returned to their abodes. On their return journey, the gods saw the personalities of Dvapara and Kali going in the opposite direction, and queried where they were heading to.
When Kali said: "To Damayanti's swayamvara. I will obtain her since my heart is fixed upon that damsel", Indra replied with a smile: "That svayamvara is already over. In our sight she hath chosen Nala for her husband."
The vile Kali, became filled with wrath and said: "Since in the presence of the celestials, she hath chosen a mortal for her lord, it is meet that she should undergo a heavy doom."
The celestials answered: "It is with our sanction that Damayanti hath chosen Nala. What damsel is there that would not choose king Nala endued with every virtue? O Kali, the fool that wisheth to curse Nala bearing such a character, curseth himself, and destroyeth himself by his own act. And, O Kali, he that seeketh to curse Nala crowned with such virtues, sinketh into the wide bottomless pit of hell rife with torments."
Having warned Kali and Dvapara thus, the gods returned to heaven. When they had gone away, Kali said unto Dvapara, 'I am ill able, O Dvapara, to suppress my anger. I shall possess Nala, deprive him of his kingdom, and he shall no more sport with Bhima's daughter. Entering the dice, it behoveth thee to help me."
From that moment onwards, Kali started tailing king Nala, looking for a way to get into his body. Nala returned to his kingdom together with his wife and happily ruled over the Nishadas. He begot a pair of twins in Damayanti, a son and daughter of similar name Indrasena. Kali too came to dwell in the country of the Nishadas, ever searching for a way to gain control of their virtuous and vigilant king.
After 12 long years, Kali finally found a way to get in, when one day, after answering the call of nature, Nala touched water and said his twilight prayers without having properly washed his feet. Through this omission, Kali entered into Nala's body, and having possessed him, went to his younger brother Pushkara and said: "Come and play dice with Nala. Through my assistance, thou wilt surely win. Defeating king Nala and acquiring his kingdom, do thou rule the Nishadhas." Dvapara also approached Pushkara and became the principal die called Vrisha.
Exhorted by Kali, Pushkara went to Nala and repeatedly invited: "Let us play together with dice.". Thus challenged, the lofty-minded king could not long decline it. Accordingly, he agreed to play. Possessed by Kali, Nala began to lose in the game his stakes of gold, silver, vehicles, horses, robes. Still maddened, he continued playing. None among his friends, advisers or even Damayanti could succeed in dissuading that repressor of foes from the play that went on for many months, the virtuous Nala being always worsted. The more he lost, the greater was his ardour to continue the game, heeding not the desperate appeals of his councillors, wife and citzens.
Finally, accepting the fact that her husband has been possessed, Damayanti makes emergency arrangements to save their children. She summons Nala's charioteer Varshneya and instructs him to yoke the finest steeds to the chariot and take the children to her father's kingdom, after which he is free to go wherever he wishes. Varshneya drives out to Vidarbha and delivers the children, the steeds and the chariot to King Bhima's custody. Then taking leave of king Bhima, Varshneya wanders about, his heart grieving for his master Nala. Finally he reaches the city of Ayodhya, meets the king there, Rituparna, and gain employment as charioteer of that monarch while still pining for Nala.
In the meantime, Nala had lost everything, including his kingdom. Pushkara laughingly said: "Let the play go on. But what stake hast thou now? Damayanti only remaineth; all else of thine hath been won by me. Well, if thou likest, that Damayanti be our stake now."
Hearing these words, the virtuous king felt as if his heart would burst in rage, but he spake not a word. Gazing at Pushkara in anguish, king Nala of great fame took all the ornaments off every part of his body. Attired in a single piece of cloth, his upper body uncovered, renouncing all his wealth, and enhancing the grief of friends, the king set out. Damayanti, clad in one piece of cloth, followed him behind.
Reaching the outskirts of the city, Nala stayed there for three nights with his wife. But Pushkara proclaimed throughout the city that anyone who showed any attention to Nala, would be doomed to death. Thus out of fear, the citizens did not offer any hospitality to Nala although he was fully deserving. Nala passed three nights in the outskirts of the city, living on water alone. Then, afflicted with hunger, the king went away in search of fruit and roots, Damayanti following him behind.
After many days, the starving Nala saw some birds with plumage of golden hue, and tried to trap them using the only cloth he had on. But the birds rose into the sky, carrying the cloth with them. Looking down on the naked and downcast Nala, the birds mocked him: "O thou of small sense, we are even those dice. We had come hither wishing to take away thy cloth, for it pleased us not that thou shouldst depart even with thy cloth on".
Damayanti covers Nala's nakedness by sharing her single cloth with him. Contemplating on his extreme change of fortune, Nala advises Damayanti to return to her father's kingdom and points out the way to her. But she replied: "O king, how can I go, leaving thee in the lone woods despoiled of thy kingdom and deprived of thy wealth, thyself without a garment on, and worn with hunger and toil? I will, O great monarch, soothe thy weariness. In every sorrow there is no physic equal unto the wife, say the physicians."
Again Nala presses her to temporarily secure her comfort in her father's kingdom. She answers: "If it is thy intention that I should go to my relatives, then if it pleaseth thee, both of us will wend to the country of the Vidarbhas. The king of the Vidarbhas will receive thee with respect. And honoured by him, O king, thou shall live happily in our home."
Nala said: "Surely, thy father's kingdom is as my own. But thither I will not, by any means, repair in this extremity. Once I appeared there in glory, increasing thy joy. How can I go there now in misery, augmenting thy grief?"
The couple, attired in one cloth and wearied with hunger and thirst, finally came upon a sheltered shed in the course of their wanderings, entered it and fell asleep on the bare ground. While the innocent and delicate Damayanti fell into a profound slumber, Nala, with heart and mind distraught, could not rest easy, reflecting on the loss of his kingdom, the desertion of his friends, and his distress in the woods, He could not tolerate the idea of Damayanti having to suffer for his sake.
He decided that the only way to make her return to her father's kingdom was for him to leave her, so he cut the cloth they shared into two. But he could not leave her. Each time he went out of the shed, his heart failed him, and he returned. Nala strove to go, reft of reason by Kali. Departing and still departing, king Nala returned again and again to that shed, dragged away by Kali but drawn back by love. It seemed as though the heart of the wretched king was rent in twain, and like a swing, he kept going out from the cabin and coming back into it. At last, after lamenting long and piteously, Nala went away. Reft of reason by Kali, the king departed in sorrow, leaving his wife alone in that solitary forest, after blessing her thus: "O blessed one, may the Adityas and the Vasus, and the twin Ashwins together with the Marutas protect thee, thy virtue and chastity being thy best guard."
Nala and Damayanti 2 |
Nala and Damayanti 3 |
Nala and Damayanti 4 |
Nala & Damayanti 5: Nala learns the science of numbers |
Nala and Damayanti 6 |
Nala and Damayanti 7 |
King Yudhishthira acquires the science of numbers
Up When Damayanti woke up and found her lord missing, she wept unconsolably.
"O mighty monarch, thou art truthful in speech, and conversant with morality. How hast thou then, having pledged thy word, deserted me asleep in the woods?"
The more she thought of Nala, the more the devoted Damayanti wept: "I grieve not for myself, nor for anything else. I only grieve to think how thou wilt pass thy days alone, O king." She cursed that personality who had brought this affliction upon Nala. "May that wicked being who hath brought Nala of sinless heart this, lead a more miserable life bearing greater ills." Immediately Kali, dwelling within Nala's body, felt tormented and disturbed.
Damayanti ran hither and thither, searching for Nala in those woods inhabited by beasts of prey. She got caught within the coils of a huge and hungry serpent, and was freed when a passing hunter, killed the serpent by lopping off its head. However when the hunter lost control of his senses and tried to force himself on her, he too dropped dead from a curse by her.
Damayanti wandered forlornly in the forest and came upon a charming ashram of ascetics. The ascetics gathered there welcomed her and inquired whether she was the goddess of the forest or the mountain or the stream flowing nearby. Damayanti told her story to them. After listening to it, the truth-telling ascetics said: "O blessed and beauteous one, we see by ascetic power that the future will bring happiness to thee, and that thou wilt soon behold Naishadha. O daughter of Bhima, thou wilt behold Nala, the lord of the Nishadhas, the slayer of foes, and the foremost of the virtuous, freed from distress. O blessed lady, thou wilt behold the king, thy lord, freed from all sins and decked with all kinds of gems, and ruling the selfsame city, and chastising his enemies, and striking terror into the hearts of foes, and gladdening the hearts of friends, and crowned with every blessing." Having repeatedly promised that unto that beloved queen of Nala, the ascetics, with their sacred fires and ashram, vanished from sight.
Damayanti then came upon a passing caravan of merchants heading towards the kingdom of Chedi, and joined the procession. After many days of travel, the caravan is destroyed and many merchants killed by a rampage of wild elephants in the dead of the night, Eventually she makes it to Chedi with a party of brahmanas who had survived the wild elephant rampage.
As Damayanti passes by the palace of the truth-telling Suvahu, the king of the Chedis, the queen mother, observing the crowd from her terrace, notices her and instructs her nurse: "Go and bring that woman before me. She is forlorn and is being vexed by the crowd. She hath fallen into distress and standeth in need of succour."
The kindly queen mother invites Damayanti to stay in the palace as companion to her daughter Sunanda. Damayanti replied: "O mother of heroes, I may stay with thee on certain conditions. I shall not eat the leavings on any dish, nor shall I wash anybody's feet, nor shall I have to speak with other men. And if anybody shall seek me (as a wife or mistress) he should be liable to punishment at thy hands. And, further, should he solicit me over and over again, that wicked one should be punished with death. This is the vow I have made. I intend to interview some brahmanas who will set out to search for my husband. If thou canst arrange all this, I shall certainly live with thee. If it is otherwise, I cannot find it in my heart to reside with thee."
The queen-mother answered her with a glad heart, saying, 'I will do all this. Thou hast done well in adopting such a vow!"
In the meantime, the news that Nala had lost his kingdom and had gone away with Damayanti reaches king Bhima in Vidarbha. He tries to locate them by sending out in all directions search parties of brahmanas, giving them profuse wealth.
Finally, one brahmana called Sudeva spotted Damayanti in the city of the Chedis, sitting beside Sunanda in the king's palace. Gazing at her, the wise brahmana understood that she was enduring the pain of separation from Nala. He thought: "It behoveth me to comfort the consort of that hero of immeasurable prowess and endued with energy and might. She is so eager to meet her husband. I will console this afflicted girl of face like the full moon, and suffering distress that she had never before endured, and ever meditating on her lord."
So he approached Damayanti, and addressed her: "O princess of Vidarbha, I am Sudeva, the dear friend of thy brother. I have come here, seeking thee, at the desire of king Bhima. Thy father is well, and also thy mother, and thy brothers. And thy son and daughter, blessed with length of days, are living in peace. Thy relatives, though alive, are almost dead on thy account, and hundreds of brahmanas are ranging the world in search of thee."
Damayanti, recognising Sudeva, asked him regarding all her old friends and relatives. She broke into tears at the unexpected sight of Sudeva, that foremost of brahmanas and the friend of her brother. Informed of his presence, the queen mother came before Sudeva and inquired from him: "Whose wife is this fair one, and whose daughter? How hath this lady of beautiful eyes been deprived of the company of her relatives and of her husband as well? And how also hast thou come to know this lady fallen into such a plight? I wish to hear all this in detail from thee. Do truly relate unto me who am asking thee about this damsel of celestial beauty."
Thus addressed by the mother of the king of the Chedis, that best of brahmanas, Sudeva, sat at his ease, and began to relate the true history of Damayanti. By the time he finished the narration, the queen mother understood Damayanti to be none other than her own sister's daughter. She said: "O beauteous girl, thy mother and I are both daughters of the high-souled Sudaman, the ruler of the Dasarnas. She was bestowed upon king Bhima, and I on king Viravahu. I witnessed thy birth at our father's palace in the country of the Dasarnas. O beautiful one, my house is to thee even as thy father's. This wealth, O Damayanti, is thine as much as mine."
Damayanti bowed down to the matriarch and said: "Unrecognised, I have still lived happily with thee, every want of mine satisfied and myself cared for by thee. But, mother, I have long been an exile. It behoveth thee, therefore, to grant me permission (to leave). My son and daughter, sent to my father's palace, are living there deprived of their father, and of their
mother also, If thou wishest to do what is agreeable to me, do thou without loss of time, arrange a vehicle, for I wish to go to the Vidarbhas."
The queen mother gladly assented: "So be it." With her son's permission, the queen mother sent Damayanti home in a handsome litter protected by a large escort.
Up After he had left Damayanti, Nala came across a raging forest fire, in the the midst of which he heard a voice repeatedly crying: "O righteous Nala, come hither." Answering: "Fear not!", he entered into the midst of the fire and beheld a mighty naga lying in coils. With joined palms, and trembling, the naga spoke: "O king, I am a snake called Karkotaka. I had deceived the great rishi Narada previously and was cursed by him to this effect: 'Stay thou here like an immobile thing, until one Nala taketh thee hence. And, indeed, on the spot to which he will carry thee, there shalt thou be freed from my curse.' It is due to this curse of his that I am unable to stir one step. I will instruct thee in respect of thy welfare. It behoveth thee to deliver me. I will be thy friend."
Then that king of snakes became as small as the thumb. Taking him up, Nala went to a spot free from fire. Before he could place the serpent down, Karkotaka said: "Proceed a few more steps. Meanwhile, I will do thee great good." As Nala began to count his steps, the snake bit him on the tenth step. Nala's form rapidly started to change, and he was amazed to see it. He also saw the snake assume a new form.
Karkotaka, comforting Nala, spoke: "I have deprived thee of thy beauty, so that people may not recognise thee. And he by whom thou hast been deceived and cast into distress, shall dwell in thee tortured by my venom. As long as he doth not leave thee, he will have to dwell in pain in thy body, his every limb filled with my venom. O king, I have saved thee from the hands of him who from anger and hatred deceived thee, perfectly innocent though thou art and undeserving of wrong. Thou shalt not feel pain on account of my poison. O foremost of kings, thou shalt be ever victorious in battle. This very day, go to the delightful city of Ayodhya, and present thyself before Rituparna, skilled in gambling, saying: 'I am a charioteer, Vahuka by name.' And that king will give thee his skill in dice for thy knowledge of horses. Sprung from the line of Iksvaku, and possessed of prosperity, he will be thy friend. When thou wilt be an adept in the science of numbers, thou shalt then have prosperity. Thou wilt also meet with thy wife and thy children, and regain thy kingdom. I tell thee this truly. Therefore, let not thy mind be occupied by sorrow. And, when thou shouldst desire to behold thy real form, thou shouldst remember me, and wear this garment. Upon wearing this, thou shalt get back thy own form."
The naga then gave Nala two pieces of celestial cloth. Having thus instructed Nala, and presented him with the attire, the king of snakes made himself invisible there and then!
Nala proceeded as directed by the naga, and on the tenth day entered the city of Rituparna. He approached the king and introduced himself: "My name is Vahuka. There is no one in this world equal to me in managing steeds. My counsel also should be sought in matters of difficulty and in all affairs of skill. I also surpass others in the culinary art. In all those arts that exists in this world, and also in every thing difficult of accomplishment, I will strive to attain success, O Rituparna, do thou maintain me."
Rituparna replied: "O Vahuka, stay with me! May good happen to thee. Thou wilt even perform all this. I have always desired to be driven fast. Do thou concert such measures that my steeds may become fleet. I appoint thee the superintendent of my stables. Thy pay shall be ten thousand. Both Varshneya and Jivala shall always be under thy direction. Thou wilt live pleasantly in their company. Therefore, O Vahuka, stay thou with me."
Up When Damayanti reached the country of the Vidarbhas, all her relatives rejoiced and received her with respect. Seeing her relatives, her children, both her parents, and all her maids, to be well, the illustrious Damayanti worshipped the gods and brahmanas. King Bhima rejoiced at beholding his daughter and gave unto the brahmana Sudeva a thousand kine, a village and much wealth.
Damayanti rested well that night in her father's mansion and recovered from her fatigue. Then she confided in her mother: "If thou wishest me to live, I tell thee truly, do thou endeavour to bring here Nala, that hero among men."
The queen conveyed this to the king who again sent the brahmanas in all directions, saying: "Exert ye to discover Nala."
Before setting out on their journey, the brahmanas appeared before Damayanti and she briefed them: "Do ye sing in every realm and in every assembly, 'O beloved gambler, where hast thou gone, cutting off half of her garment, and deserting the dear and devoted wife asleep in the forest? And that girl, as commanded by thee stayeth expecting thee, clad in half a piece of cloth and burning with grief! O king, O hero, relent and answer her who incessantly weepeth for that grief."
"Speaking so, if anybody answereth you, that person should by all means, be identified, and ye should learn who he is, and where he dwelleth. And ye foremost of the twice-born, do ye bring me the words of him who hearing this your speech will chance to answer. Ye should also act with such care that no one may know the words ye utter to be at my behest, nor that ye will report back to me. And ye should also learn whether he that answers is wealthy, or poor, or destitute of power, in fact all about him."
The brahmanas set out in all directions in search of Nala. In every court they went, they recited the ballad composed by Damayanti. After a long while, one brahmana named Parnada came back and said unto Damayanti: "Searching for king Nala, I came to the city of Ayodhya, and appeared before the son of Bhangasura. I repeated those words of thine in the presence of the blessed Rituparna. But hearing them neither that ruler of men, nor his courtiers, answered anything, although I uttered them repeatedly. Then, after I had been dismissed by the monarch, I was accosted by a person named Vahuka, who is the charioteer of that king."
"He was of unsightly appearance and possessed of short arms. He is skillful in driving with speed, and well acquainted with the culinary art. Sighing frequently, and weeping again and again, he inquired about my welfare and said these words: 'Chaste women, although fallen into distress, yet protect themselves and thus certainly secure heaven. Although they may be deserted by their lords, they do not yet become angry on that account, for women that are chaste lead their lives, encased in the armour of virtuous behaviour. It behoveth her not to be angry, since he that deserted her was overwhelmed with calamity, and deprived of every bliss. A beauteous and virtuous woman should not be angry with one that was deprived by birds of his garment while striving to procure sustenance and who is being consumed with grief. Whether treated well or ill, such a wife should never indulge in ire, beholding her husband in that plight, despoiled of kingdom and destitute of prosperity, oppressed with hunger and overwhelmed with calamity.' Hearing these words of his, I have speedily come here. Thou hast now heard all. Do what thou thinkest proper, and inform the king of it."
Damayanti broke into tears when she heard that Nala had been located. After Parnada had recovered from his fatigue, the Damayanti worshipped him with profuse wealth and said: "When Nala will come here, O brahmana, I will bestow on thee wealth in abundance again. Thou hast done me an immense service which none else, indeed, can do me, and which will speedily enable me to regain my lord." That high-minded brahmana comforted her, uttering benedictory words of auspicious import, and then went home, regarding his mission to have been successful.
Then Damayanti called for Sudeva brahmana and addressed him in the presence of her mother: "O brahmana, go thou to the city of Ayodhya, straight as a bird, and tell king Rituparna these words: 'King Bhima's daughter, Damayanti, will have another svayamvara. All the kings and princes are going thither. The ceremony will take place tomorrow. O represser of foes, if it is possible for thee, go thither without delay. Tomorrow, after the sun hath risen, she will choose a second husband, as she doth not know whether the heroic Nala liveth or not."
Sudeva reached Ayodhya and made his announcement to king Rituparna about Damayanti's svayamvara being held the next morning. Coaxing Vahuka with gentle words, the king said, 'O Vahuka, thou art well-skilled in training and guiding horses. If it pleases thee, I intend to go to Vidarbha in the course of a single day."
Nala felt his heart to be bursting in grief and sorrow. He thought within himself: "Perhaps Damayanti in doing this is blinded by sorrow. Or perhaps, she hath conceived this magnificent scheme for my sake. It is seen in the world that the nature of woman is inconsistent. My offence also hath been great; perhaps she is acting so, because she hath no longer any affection for me due to my long separation from her. Indeed, that girl of slender waist, afflicted with grief on my account, certainly will not do anything of this kind, especially when she is the mother of (my) children. Whether it is true or false, I shall ascertain with certitude by going thither. I will therefore accomplish Rituparna's and my own purpose also."
Having resolved thus in his mind, Vahuka, sorrowfully replied unto king Rituparna, with joined palms: "O monarch, I bow to thy behest. I can reach the city of the Vidarbhas within a single day."
Vahuka went to the stables and examined the horses. After careful scrutiny and deliberation, he selected some steeds that were lean-fleshed, yet strong and capable of a long journey, of high breed yet docile, free from inauspicious marks, of wide nostrils and swelling cheeks, free from faults as regards the ten hairy curls, born in Sindhu, and fleet as the winds.
Seeing those horses, the king said somewhat angrily: "How can these horses, who seem weak in strength and breath, carry us? And how shall we be able to go this long way by help of these?"
Vahuka replied: "Each of these horses bears one curl on his forehead, two on his temples, four on his sides, four on his chest, and one on his back. Without doubt, these steeds will be able to go to the country of the Vidarbhas."
The skillful Nala yoked upon the car four excellent steeds of good breed that were, besides, docile and fleet. King Rituparna immediately mounted upon the car, when those best of horses fell down upon the ground on their knees. Nala began to soothe the horses endued with energy and strength, and raised them up by the reins. Seating the other charioteer, Varshneya, on the car too, he prepared to set out with great speed.
Those best of steeds, duly urged by Vahuka, rose into the sky, confounding the other occupants of the vehicle. The blessed king of Ayodhya was exceedingly amazed and pleased. Varshneya, no mean charioteer himself, reflected upon Vahuka's skill in guiding the horses and wondered. Is he Matali, the charioteer of the king of the celestials? Or, hath Salihotra, versed in the science of horses, taken this form? Or, is it king Nala, the reducer of hostile towns, that hath come here?
Up Mahabharata: Vana Parva: Chapter 72
Vrihadasva said: "Like a bird coursing through the sky, Nala soon crossed rivers and mountains, and woods and lakes." While the car was coursing at speed, king Rituparna saw his upper garment fly off and drop down to the ground. Immediately he told Nala: "I intend to recover it. O highly intelligent one, retain these speedy steeds until Varshneya brings back my garment."
(Nala's reply gave the king an idea of the great speed they were travelling at:) "The sheet was dropped down far away. We have travelled one yojana thence. It is futile to recover it."
(King Rituparna had never before seen his royal steeds flying at such speed and agility, and greatly admired Nala's skill in handling them). The king then saw a Vibhitaka tree laden with fruits in a forest (and decided to impress Nala with his own prowess in mathematics). He did a quick mental calculation sizing up the leaves and fruits on the tree as well as those lying on the ground, and also the difference between the two figures, and casually announced the results to Nala: "O Vahuka, this tree's leaves and fruits that are lying on the ground exceed those that are on it by one hundred and one. The two branches of the tree have fifty millions of leaves, and two thousand and ninety-five fruits."
(Stunned by this revelation), Vahuka immediately halted the chariot and replied that it is beyond his perception to ascertain the correctness of the king's calculations: "But I will ascertain it by the direct evidence of my senses, by cutting down the Vibhitaka...and actually counting; then it will no longer be a matter of speculation. In thy presence, O Raja, I will count the fruits and leaves. Let Varshneya hold the reins of the horses for a while."
King Rituparna said: "There is no time to lose." But Vahuka answered with humility: "Stay thou a short while, or, if thou art in a hurry, go ahead, making Varshneya thy charioteer. The road ahead lies direct and even."
(Seeing Nala's quiet determination), King Rituparna relented: "O Vahuka, thou art the only charioteer, there is none other comparable in this world. And, O thou versed in horse lore, it is through thy help that I expect to go to the Vidarbhas today...whatever thy wish, I will grant it if you take me to the country of the Vidarbhas today, and make me see the sun rise there."
Vahuka answered: "After having counted, I shall proceed to Vidarbha. Do thou agree to my words?" The king reluctantly told him: "Count. Upon counting the leaves and fruits of a portion of this branch, thou wilt be satisfied of the truth of my assertion."
Vahuka quickly alighted from the car, and felled that tree. He was struck with wonder upon counting the fruits and finding the results to be exactly what the king had forecast. "O monarch, this thy power is wonderful. I desire to know the art by which thou has ascertained all this."
The king said: "Know that I am proficient at dice besides being well-versed in numbers." Vahuka implored unto him: "Impart unto me this knowledge and, O bull among men, take from me my knowledge of horses." King Rituparna, intent upon proceeding speedily, and tempted by the equine science, said: "So be it. As solicited by thee, receive this science of dice from me, and, O Vahuka, let my equine science remain with thee in trust."
Thus king Rituparna imparted unto Nala the mathematical science of dice and numbers. As soon as Nala become acquainted with that science, Kali, long afflicted (by Damayanti's curse and Karkotaka's poison) immediately came out of his body, incessantly vomitting out the virulent poison of Karkotaka. The fire of the curse too left Kali.
(Seeing Kali) King Nala became furious and was bent upon cursing him for all the suffering he had endured. Frightened and trembling, Kali said with palms joined in supplication to Nala while remaining invisible to others: "Control thy wrath, O king! I will render thee illustrious. Indrasena's mother had formerly cursed me in anger when she had been deserted by thee. Ever since that time, undergoing sore affliction, I have been miserably burning night and day with the venom of the prince of snakes while residing within thee. O mighty monarch, O unconquered one, I seek thy protection. If thou dost not curse me who am frightened and seek thy protection, then those men who will attentively recite thy history, shall be even free from fear on my account."
Thus addressed by Kali, king Nala controlled his wrath. The frightened Kali immediately entered into the Vibhitaka tree. By the touch of Kali, the Vibhitaka tree fell into disrepute from that time.
Freed from his afflictions, king Nala, filled with great joy and exuberance, mounted the chariot and proceeded energetically, urging the fleet horses forward in the direction of the Vidharbhas. Those foremost of steeds sprang into the air once again as if endowed with wings. After Nala had gone far away, Kali also returned to his own abode.
Thus freed from Kali's association, that lord of the Earth, king Nala, became freed from calamity although he did not yet assume his previous regal form.
Up The chariot of king Rituparna reached Kundina, the city of the Vidarbhas, in the evening. Hearing the loud sound of its rattle, the steeds of Nala in the city became delighted as they used to be in the presence of Nala himself.
King Bhima and Damayanti also heard the sound of that car driven by Vahuka, like the deep roar of the clouds in the rainy season, and regarded it to be like that which they used to hear in days of yore when king Nala himself urged his steeds. Damayanti said to herself: "Because the rattle of his car filling the whole earth, gladdens my heart, it must be king Nala himself. If I do not see Nala, of face bright as the moon, that hero with countless virtues, I shall certainly die. If I am not clasped today in that hero's thrilling embrace, I shall certainly cease to be."
King Bhima received King Rituparna with great respect and hospitality. After some polite exchanges, king Rituparna and Varshneya went to their appointed quarters. Vahuka took the car to the stables, freed the steeds and tended to them. Damayanti sent her female messenger Kesini with some questions for Vahuka.
After making some polite inquiries, Kesini recites the ballad of Damayanti to Vahuka and said that the princess of Vidarbha wished to hear again the answer he had given previously to the brahmana Parnada. Nala was pained to hear those words, his eyes filled with tears. The king supressed his sorrow and repeated his answer in a chokeful voice, and then unable to restrain his tears, began to weep. Kesini went back and reported everything to Damayanti, including the outburst of grief.
Damayanti sends Kesini a second time and asks her to spy on Vahuka and observe his skills, especially how he handles the elements. Kesini reported: "O Damayanti, a person of such control over the elements I have never before seen or heard of. Whenever he comes to low passage, he never stoops down, but seeing him, the passage itself expands so that he may pass through it easily. At his approach, impassable narrow holes open wide. When he looks at empty vessels for water, those vessels became filled (with water). When he took up a handful of grass and held it to the sun, fire blazed up all of a sudden. I have witnessed in him another great wonder. He touched fire and was not burnt. At his will, water falling floweth in a stream. Another greater wonder still, flowers, pressed by his hands, did not lose their original forms, but on the contrary, became brighter and more odorous than before. Having beheld such wonderful things, I have come hither with speed."
Hearing of these acts of the virtuous Nala, Damayanti considered him as already recovered. She tearfully pleaded with Kesini to go to Vahuka a third time and secretly bring to her some of the preparations he had cooked (for king Rituparna's dinner). After tasting this preparation, Damayanti, who is well familiar with Nala's culinary skill, became further convinced that she had found her husband, and wept aloud, overwhelmed with grief. Washing her face, she asked Kesini to go to Vahuka a fourth time, taking along her two children.
Vahuka immediately recognised Indrasena with her brother, and rushed forward to embrace them. Taking up his children onto his lap, he began to weep aloud, his heart afflicted with great sorrow. Then he checked himself and abruptly put down the children, and turned to Kesini saying: "O fair damsel, these twins are very like my own children. Beholding them unexpectedly, I shed tears. If thou comest to me frequently, people may think evil, for we are guests from another land. Therefore. O blessed one, go at thy ease."
When Kesini tells of Vahuka's affection for the children, Damayanti sends her messenger to her mother to request permission for her to meet up with Vahuka. "Suspecting Vahuka to be Nala, I have tested him in various ways. My only doubt now relates to his appearance. I intend to examine him myself. O mother, either let him enter the palace, or give me permission to go to him."
The queen's mother communicates her message to king Bhima who gives his consent. With the consent both of her father and mother, Damayanti arranged for Nala to be brought to her apartment in the palace. When the couple saw each other under such circumstances, they both burst into tears, overwhelmed by grief and sorrow.
Damayanti asked: "O Vahuka, hast thou ever seen any person acquainted with duty, who hath gone away, deserting his sleeping wife in the forest? Who, except the virtuous Nala, could go away, deserting in the woods, his dear and unoffending wife overcome with fatigue? Of what offence was I guilty in the eyes of that monarch since my early youth that he should go
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 speaking thus, tears of sorrow flowed plentifully from her eyes. Beholding her thus afflicted with grief, Nala too could not hold back his tears as he answered her: "O gentle 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 burn 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 meek one, can any other woman, forsaking her loving and devoted husband, ever choose a second lord like thee?"
Hearing these lamentations of Nala, Damayanti, frightened and trembling, said with joined hands: "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 gone out in all directions, singing my words, in the form of ballads. At last, O king, a learned Brahmana named Parnada had found thee in Kosala in the palace of Rituparna. When thou hadst returned a fit answer to those words of his, it was then, O Naishadha, that I devised this scheme to recover thee. Except thee, O lord of earth, there is no one in this world, who in one day can clear a hundred yojanas with horses. O monarch, touching thy feet, I can swear truly that I have not, even in thought, committed any sin. May the all-witnessing Air that courseth through this world, take my life, if I have committed any sin. May the Sun that ever courseth through the sky take my life, if I have committed any sin. May the Moon, that dwelleth within every creature as a witness, take my life, if I have committed any sin. Let the three gods that sustain the triple worlds in their entirety, declare truly, or let them forsake me today."
Thus addressed by her, the Wind god spoke from the sky: "O Nala, I tell thee truly that she hath done no wrong. O king, Damayanti, well guarding the honour of thy family, hath enhanced it. Of this we are the witnesses, as we have been her protectors for these three years. It is for thy that she hath devised this unrivalled scheme, for, except thee, none on earth is capable of travelling in a single day a hundred yojanas. O monarch, thou hast obtained Bhima's daughter, and she hath also obtained thee. Thou needst not entertain any suspicion but be united with thy partner."
After the Wind god had spoken thus, a floral shower fell there and the celestial kettle-drums began to play, and auspicious breezes began to blow. Beholding these signs, king Nala, the represser of foes, cast away all his doubts in respect of Damayanti. Then that lord of earth, remembering the king of serpents, Karkotaka, wore that pure garment and regained his previous form. Beholding her righteous lord in his own form, Bhima's daughter of faultless limbs embraced him, and began to weep aloud. And king Nala also embraced Bhima's daughter devoted to him, as before, and also his children, and experienced great delight. Burying her face in his bosom, the beauteous Damayanti of large eyes began to sigh heavily, remembering her griefs. Overwhelmed with sorrow, that tiger among men stood for some time, clasping the dust-covered Damayanti of sweet smiles.
The queen's mother then, with a glad heart, told king Bhima all that had passed between Nala and Damayanti. The mighty monarch answered: "Let Nala pass this day in peace, tomorrow I shall see him after his bath and prayers, with Damayanti by his side."
The reunited couple passed that night pleasantly, in relating to each other the past incidents of their life in the forest. With hearts filled with joy, the princess of Vidarbha and Nala began to pass their days in the palace of king Bhima, intent upon making each other happy. It had been four years (since the loss of his kingdom) that Nala was re-united with his wife, and all his desires gratified, once more experienced great bliss. Damayanti, thus recovering her lord, rejoiced at having obtained her wish, and blazed forth in beauty, her weariness gone, her anxieties dispelled and herself swelling with joy, ever like a night that is lit by the bright disk of the moon!
Up King Nala decked in ornaments and with Damayanti by his side, presented himself in due time before king Bhima, saluting his father-in-law with becoming humility; and after him the fair Damayanti paid her respects to her father. The exalted Bhima, with great joy, received him as a son, and honouring him duly along with his devoted wife, comforted them in proper words. Seeing king Nala again the citizens were in great joy. There arose in the city a loud uproar of delight. The citizens decorated the city with flags and standards and garlands of flowers.
King Rituparna was glad to hear that Vahuka had already united with Damayanti. Calling upon king Nala, he asked his forgiveness. The intelligent Nala also asked for Rituparna's forgiveness, citing various reasons. King Rituparna, said, with a countenance expressive of wonder: "By good fortune it is that regaining the company of thy own wife, thou hast obtained happiness. O Naishadha, while dwelling in disguise at my house, I hope I did not wrong thee in any way, O lord of the earth! If knowingly I have done thee any wrong, it behoveth thee to forgive me."
Nala replied: "Thou hast not, O monarch, done me ever so little an injury. And if thou hast, it hath not awakened my ire, for surely thou shouldst be forgiven by me. Thou wert formerly my friend, and, O ruler of men, thou art also related to me. Henceforth I shall find greater delight in thee. O king, with all my desires gratified, I lived happily in thy abode, in fact more happily there than in my own house. This thy equine science is in my keeping. If thou wishest, O king, I will make it over to thee."
Naishadha gave unto Rituparna that science and the latter took it with the ordained rites. The royal son of Bhangasura, having obtained the mysteries of equine science and having had given unto the ruler of the Nishadhas the mysteries of dice, went to his own city, employing another person for his charioteer.
After staying in the city of Kundina for a month, king Nala took leave of king Bhima and set out with a small entourage for the country of the Nishadhas. With a single car, white in hue, sixteen elephants, fifty horses, and six hundred infantry.
Upon reaching his country, that illustrious king, swelling with rage, approached his brother Pushkara and said unto him: "We will play again, for I have earned vast wealth. Let Damayanti and all else that I have be my stake. Let, O Pushkara, thy kingdom be thy stake. Let the play begin again. This is my certain determination. Blessed be thou, let us stake all we have along with our lives. Having won over and acquired another's wealth or kingdom, it is incumbent according to ordinance, to stake it when the owner demands. Or, if thou dost not relish play with dice, let the play with weapons begin. O king, let me or thyself have peace by a single combat. O Pushkara, choose thou one of these two things, gambling with dice or bending the bow in battle!"
Pushkara, sure of his own success, laughingly answered that monarch: "O Naishadha, it is by good fortune that thou hast earned wealth again to stake. It is by good fortune also that Damayanti's ill-luck hath at last come to an end. And O king, it is by good fortune that thou art still alive with thy wife, O thou of mighty arms! It is evident that Damayanti, adorned with this wealth of thine that I will win, will wait upon me like an apsara in heaven upon Indra. O Naishadha, I daily recollect thee and am even waiting for thee, since I derive no pleasure from gambling with those that are not connected with me by blood. Winning over today the beauteous Damayanti of faultless features, I shall regard myself fortunate."
Hearing the words of that incoherent braggart, Nala in anger desired to cut off his head with a scimitar. With a smile, however, though his eyes were red in anger, king Nala said: "Let us play. Why do you speak so now? Having vanquished me, you can say anything you like."
Then the play commenced between Pushkara and Nala. Blessed be Nala who at a single throw, won his wealth and treasures back, along with the life of his brother that also had been staked. The king, having won, smilingly said unto Pushkara: "This whole kingdom without a thorn in its side is now undisputably mine. O worst of kings, thou canst not now even look at the princess of Vidarbha. With all thy family, thou art now, O fool, reduced to the position of her slave. But my former defeat at thy hands was not due to any act of thine. Thou knowest it not, O fool, that it was Kali who schemed it all. I shall not, therefore, impute to thee the faults of others. Live happily as thou choosest, I grant thee thy life. I also grant thee thy portion (of the paternal kingdom) along with all necessities. O hero, without doubt, my affection towards thee is now the same as before. My fraternal love also for thee will never know any diminution. O Pushkara, thou art my brother, live thou for a hundred years!"
Nala of unbaffled prowess, having comforted his brother thus gave him permission to go to his own town, having embraced him repeatedly. Pushkara saluted that righteous king, and addressed him with joined palms: "Let thy fame be immortal and live thou happily for ten thousand years, thou who grantest me, O king, both life and refuge." Entertained by the king, Pushkara dwelt there for a month and then went to his own town accompanied by large force and many obedient servants and his own kindred, his heart filled with joy.
The blessed ruler of the Nishadhas, having established Pushkara and made him wealthy and freed him from troubles, entered his richly decorated palace. All the citizens rejoiced. The people headed by the officers of state said with joined hands: "O king, we are truly glad today throughout the city and the country. Today we have obtained our ruler, like the gods their chief of a hundred sacrifice!"
After the festivities had commenced in the city that was full of joy, the king with a large force brought back Damayanti. Upon the arrival of the princess of Vidarbha accompanied by her son and daughter, king Nala began to pass his days in joy like the chief of the celestials in the gardens of Nandana. The king of undying fame, having regained his kingdom and becoming illustrious among the monarchs of Jamvudvipa, began once more to rule it. He duly performed numerous sacrifices with abundant gifts to brahmanas.
Up Mahabharata: Vana Parva: Chapter 79 extract
Vrihadasva said to king Yudhishthira: "O great king, thou also wilt with thy kindred and relatives, so blaze forth in effulgence soon. It was thus that king Nala had fallen into distress along with his wife, in consequence of dice. Nala suffered such dire woe all alone and recovered his prosperity, whereas thou, O son of Pandu, with heart fixed on virtue, art sporting in joy in this great forest, accompanied by thy brothers and queen Draupadi. When thou art also associating daily with blessed brahmanas versed in the Vedas and their branches, thou hast little cause for sorrow."
"This history, besides, of the naga Karkotaka, of Damayanti, of Nala and of that royal sage Rituparna, is destructive of evil. And, O thou of unfading glory, this history, destructive of the influence of Kali, is capable, O king, of comforting persons like thee when they listen to it. And reflecting upon the uncertainty (of success) of human exertion, it behoveth thee not to joy or grieve at prosperity or adversity. Having listened to this history, be comforted, O king, and yield not to grief. It behoveth thee not, O great king, to pine under calamity. Indeed, men of self-possession, reflecting upon the caprice of destiny and the fruitlessness of exertion, never suffer themselves to be depressed."
"They that will repeatedly recite this noble history of Nala, and they that will hear it recited, will never be touched by adversity. He that listeneth to this old and excellent history hath all his purposes crowned with success and, without doubt, obtaineth fame, besides sons and grandsons and animals, a high position among men, and health, and joy."
"O king, the fear also that thou entertainest, (that is, someone skilled in dice will summon you to play again), I will dispel once and for all. I know the science of dice in its entirety. I am gratified with thee; take this science, I will tell thee, O son of Kunti."
King Yudhishthira then, with a glad heart, said unto Vrihadasva: "O illustrious one, I desire to learn the science of dice from thee." The rishi then gave his knowledge of dice unto the high-souled son of Pandu, and having given it unto him, that great ascetic went to the sacred waters of Hayasirsha for a bath.