Nala returns to his land

Nala, decked in all finery that deserved a king, then went to King Bhima with Damayanti. The king was thrilled to see him. The citizens of the country were also very happy to see Nala.  Rituaparna was also very happy to hear that Nala had been reunited with Damayanti. He begged forgiveness but Nala said he was grateful to him. Nala then taught Rituparna all he knew about horses, and Rituparna in return taught Nala, all hew knew about the science of the game of dice.
Employing a charioteer, Rituparna then left for Ayodhya and Nala also left for his land.

He then aproached his cousin Pushkara and asked for a game of dice. Nala won back all that he had lost to Pushkara. Pushkara went back to his kingdom.

Nala lived happily in his kingdom, performing sacrifices and ruling as a just ruler.

When he was old, he made his son the king.

Thus ending his tale of Nala, the sage said to Yudhistira - Nala had suffered more than you. Bad luck will not stay for ever. It will pass.

The sage then took leave of the Pandavas.

Damayanti meets Vahuka

Taking permission from her mother, Damayanti went to the stable where Vahuka was. She saw Vahuka in dirty clothes tending to horses. Seeing this, she had tears in her eyes. When Vahuka saw her, his eyes also had tears.
She asked Vahuka if he know of anyone who had deserted his wife in the forest? Why should he abandon me, when I chose him over Gods and became the mother of his children.

When Damayanti said this, Vahuka said It was all because of Kali. As Kali could not have you, he entered my body and since then it has been all bad. I was not in my senses, but how could you arrange for a second swayamvara? Hearing this, Rituaparna has come to wed you.

Damayanti said that was because a brahmana had managed to race you out in Ayodhya. I needed an excuse to have you here, Which is why the false news was sent. Only you are my Lord. I will never choose any other.

The Gods then appeared there and said Damayanti was sinless.

Remembering that garment given by the snake, Vahuka put that on. Immediately he was transformed into his original form. Damayanti embraced him. 

Damayanti suspects Vahuka

In the evening Rituparna arrived in Vidharbha. Arrangements were made for him to stay. Damayanti heard the chariot pulling in and was convinced that Vahuka was Nala. In the meanwhile, when Rituparna ment the king and when asked for the erason of his visit, he was about to say that he had come for the swayamvara, but he saw there were no arrangements. So he said he had come to pay his respects. Hearing this, the king Bhima was taken aback. He asked Rituparna to take rest.

Vahuka took the horses to the stables. Damayanti was not seeing Nala anywhere, so she asked a maid to go and find out who was this Vahuka.


Vahuka said he was the charioteer of Rituparna and his master had come to attend a swayamvara. he said he used to be the chasrioteer of Nala, and after Nala had gone to the forest, he had joined Rituparna.

The maid asked Vahuka if he knew where Nala was. She repeated what the brahmana had said in Rituparna's court and wanted to hear Vahuka's reply. Vahuka repeated what he had said there.

The maid came and repeated what she had heard from Vahuka, to Damayanti.

Damayanti asked the maid to then describe Vahuka to her.

The maid said, Vahuka had been sent a pot with meat and spices and he cooked that without lighting a fire. All he did was, look at the wood, and it burst into flames.

Damayanti then asked the maid to get some food cooked by Vahuka for her.

Tasting that, Damayanti was convinced that this was Nala. She sent the maid again, this time with her children. The moment, Vahuka saw the children, he hugged them with tears in his eyes. Then realizing what he had done, Vahuka said he had children at home, and seeing these two children, he was reminded of his own, which is why he had hugged them.

When Damayanti heard this, she said she wanted to meet this person.

Kali leaves Nala

Rituparna was happy to hear this and decided to attend the swayamvara. He called Vahuka and told him this. Vahuka was stunned. How could Damayanti do this? He then thought maybe Damayanti was doing this to make him appear. Afterall, Damayanti had children. The truth woulkd be found only when he reached Vidarbha.

While they were thus travelling, the upper garment of Rituparna flew off. The king asked Vahuka to stop the chariot so he could collect  the garment. Vahuka said, they had crossed a distance of five yojanas.

The king who was a great mathematician said he would give Vahuka the knowledge of maths and chess and in return he wanted to know the art of riding horses.

The king started teaching Nala. Inside Nala, Kali, tormented by the venom of the serpent, came out, visible only to Nala.
Kali said he would leave now.

He also told Nala, that his tale would become very famous.

Nala decided to retain the form of Vahuka, for some more time.

Second Swayamvara

After a long time , a Brahmana named Parnada returned to the city  and said to Damayanti, Looking foir Nala, I went to the city of Ayodhya and met the king Rituparna. I said what you had told me to say. THere I got no reaction. I met Vahuka,the charioteer of the king, a very ugly person. He could cook without using fire. He was weeping and said - Tell your princess, to protect herself.  Do not be angry. He, who deserted her, did because he of his own misfortune. Do not loose temper on one who lost his only garment to the birds.
Hearing all this, I thought of coming and telling you.

Damayanti had tears in her eyes. She asked her mother to send the brahmana, Sudeva to Ayodhya with a message. He was to Ayodhya and tell the king Rituparna living there that Damayanti was holding another swayamvara.The swayamvara is to happen the next day. As Damayanti has no information about Nala, she has decided to choose a secodn husband.

Sudeva went and reported the same to Rituparna.

Messengers sent out to look for Nala

Damayanti approached her mother and said My life is bound with Nala. If you want to see me happy, please send out people to search for Nala.
The queen told her husband this. The king hearing this, sent out messengers everywhere to look for Nala. The messengers went to Damayanti and said they were leaving. Damayanti said When you go, say this - Dear Gambler and My beloved. Where have you vanished after cutting my garment in half. There is someone weeping for you. Answer the cries.
Thus instructed, the messengers went forth, looking out for Nala. 

My postings here

Due to work pressures, I will be posting here only on weekends for the rest of this month and most part of next month. I will try and post, in between, if I can.

Damayanti reunited with her parents

After Nala had lost his kingdom, Damaynti's father, Bhima, sent out messengers to get news of Nala. He proclaimed rewards for the one who would get Nala and Damayanti or even get news of them. People started searching around but there was no news. A brahmana called Sudeva, who was in the kingdom of Chedi, happened to see Damayanti. He went closer and was sure that the maid serving the princess Sunanda was indeed Damayanti.

He then approached Damayanti, and addressed her, saying, 'O princess of Vidarbha, I am Sudeva. I have come here, looking for you, having been sent by your father.

Damayanti recognized Sudevaand began to weep bitterly. Seeing Damayanti weeping, Sunanda went to her mother and said The maid is weeping in the presence of a Brahmana.
The Queen mother came to see what was the matter. She asked Sudeva to disclose the identity of the maid.

Hearing all, the Queen Mother sent decked Damayanti in fine clothes and jewels and sent her along with Sudeva, to her father's kingdom.

Travelling along with Sudeva, Damayanti reached the kingdom of Vidharbha, where she was reunited with her parents and children.

She was sad, missing Nala.  

Nala become Vahuka

Nala travelled and on the tenth day entered Ayodhya, ruled by Rituparna. He approached the king and said My name is Vahuka. I have command over horses. I am an expert in cooking. Help me get a job with you. Rituparna was pleased to hear this and appointed Nala to look after the stables.

Nala began to live in the city, missing Damayanti and thinking wether she was alive or had been killed by the wild beats.

Remembering Damayanti, Nala continued to live in the palace of Rituparna.

Nala bitten by Karkata

Having left Damayanti, Nala saw a huge fire. He heard a voice calling out to him and asking him to enter the fire. Nala stepped in and saw a naga sitting there on his coils. He said his name was Karkat and he had been cursed by Narada to stay there till Nala helped him. The naga asked Nala to carry him out.

Nala did that and left the Naga in a safe spot. The Naga said he would help Nala and told him to take a stepo forward. The moment Nala did so, he was bitten by the Naga. Nala went a change in his body and looked different.

The Naga said Please do not be amazed. Kali, who is now in your body, will have to live with my venom, in pain, till he leaves you. Go to Ayodhya and meet the king there called Rituparna. He is skilled in gambling and the game of dice. Learn the game from him. You will have no fear from animals. Tell him your name is Vahuka. Soon you will be united with your wife and children. Saying this Karkata gave a garment to Nala and said Keep this carefully. When you want to change back to your original form, wear this.  Saying this, Karkata left.

Damayanti becomes a maid

Damayanti went deeper into the forest where she saw tall trees, many animals and beautiful streams flowing there. She was lost in her thought, looking for Nala, and thus never noticed the beauty of the place. She kept missing and kept crying out to Nala.

Travelling, she saw a river and stopped there. People were surprised to see a stranger there. One person asked her, who she was. Why was roaming alone in the forest?

Damayanti said Do not be afraid. I am not a demoness or ghost. I have lost my husband and am looking for him.

Some people, who were travelling merchants, said they were travelling to the kingdom of Chedi. They would take her with them.

And after having proceeded for many days the merchants saw a large lake with lotuses. Tired, they decided to halt there. A herd of elephants was passing by. It was evening. The elephants saw the caravan and also saw some elephants tied there. A fight broke up between the elphants and in their frenzy, the elephants started crushing the merchants sleeping there. The merchants suffered great losses.

Damayanti was scared. The merchants thought that all had happened because of her. Damayanti said I have not committed any sins. It may be because of my previous birth's sins that I have lost my husband and I am roaming around, asking for help.

The merchants left without Damayanti. Damayanti saw a group of travelling brahmanas and see went along with them. They soon reached the kingdom of Chedi which ruled by a king called Suvahu. People started wondering who this was, clad in torn garments and dirty. The king's mother saw Damayanti from her terrace and asked her to fetch Damayanti.

When the queen mother asked her who she was, Damayanti said that she was a maid who was separated from her husband. The Queen Mother asked her to stay in the palace and said she would help Damayanti look for her husband.

The queen mother then sent for her daughter called Sunanda and asked her to accept the new lady as her personal maid. 

Hunter burns to death

Soon Damayanti woke up. She looked around and could not see Nala. She started calling out to him, but there was no reply.
She then got up and started looking for Nala. Not seeing Nala around, she ventured deep into the forest.
While she was moving around she came across a huge hungry snake. Seeing the snake, Damayanti started shouting out for help. Her cries were heard by a hunter who was came running. He saw the snake about to pounce on Damayanti. With a sharp weapon, the hunter killed the snake. he then asked her who she was. He said wanted to have her for himself.

Damayanti then said if she had been true to Nala, the hunter would burn to his death.

That came true and the hunter was burnt. Damayanti then continued her search for Nala. 

Nala and Damayanti in the forest.

In his game with Pushkar, Nala lost all that he had. Pushkar suggested putting Damayanti at stake which angered Nala. Nala took off the valuables that he was wearing and walking away.
Pushkara then made a proclamation saying anyone providing help, support or shelter to Nala would be punished. He sent messengers to other kingdoms with the message that Nala was not to be provided shelter.

Nala was raoming around hungry and thirsty. He reached a river side and sat there. Unknown to him, Damayanti was following him. She soon caught up with him. Both were very hungry and thirsty. Soon, they spotted a flock of golden birds. Nala thought he would catch the birds and then make a meal out of them. He looked around and all he saw was the loincloth that he was wearing. He took that off and threw it at the birds. These were magical birds who flew off with the cloth. In the sky, the birds said Know me, I am Kali. With me is my friend Dwapara. We will torment you and trouble you. Leaving us Damayanti chose you and this is your punishment for that.  Saying this, the birds vanished.

Nala then said to Damayanti, See the roads in the forest. One part leads to Avanti and the other leads to Vidharba. Take the road to Vidharba. Go to your father's house.

Damayanti said You are in Exile. You have lost all that you had and now are naked, in the forest. If I am with you, I will be of help to you. Why do you want to get rid of me.
Nala said I do not want to see you unhappy.
Damayanti said Then let us both go to the land of Vidharbha. My father will be very happy to see you.
Nala said Your father is dear to me, but I can not go there naked and hungry. I had been there once in my regal attire and now with what face shall I face people?

Nala wrapped himself in Damayanti's garment. Damayanti, afraid that her husband may leave her, was happy that both were wrapped in the same cloth. They soon reached a place where weary travellers halted. Both Nala and Damayanti lay down. Damayanti went into a deep slumber. Nala was unable to sleep. Nala thought that if Damayanti was with him, she would have to suffer daily. If he left, she wouyld be then compelled to return to her father's house.

Nala tore a part of Damayanti's garment and wrapped it around himself. He then said a prayer to the Gods, asking them to take care of Damayanti.

He then walked into the deep forest. 

Nala under the influence of Kali

The Gods after leaving met Dwapara and Kali. They asked the two where they were going. Kali said he wanted to win Damayanti for himself, so he was going to the swayamvara. The Gods said Damayanti had already accepted Nala and the swayamvara was over.
Kali was angry. How could she choose a mortal? He said he would make their life miserable.
The Gods said Nala was not at fault. The Gods said the one who troubled Nala would end up in trouble eventually.

The Gods left. Kali asked Dwapara to help him when the need arose. Kali then started moving close to Nala, looking for an excuse to control him.

Twelve years passed by.

One day, Nala was about to offer his prayers and in a hurry he forgot to wash his feet. Seeing this as an opportunity, Kali entered the body of Nala.

Pushkara was a cousin of Nala. Kali went to Pushkara. He asked Pushkara to play dice with Nala saying he would help Pushkara win.

Pushkara went and asked for a game. Nala, under the influence of Kali, staked his kingdom.

Damayanti was informed about the game. She hastened to go and stop Nala. Nala was losing what ever was at stake.
She said to Nala that his subjects wanted to meet him, Nala, engrossed in the game, rudely said, he was busy and had no time.

The game carried on for months, with Nala losing continuously.

Damayanti sent for Vrihatsena, trusted servant. She asked her to fetch the charioteer of Nala. When the charioteer came, she asked him to leave her children, a son called Indrasen and a daughter called Indrasena, in her father's house.

The charioteer did that. He left the children and came and reported back.

Damayanti weds Nala

When the swayamvara started, all took their seats along with the Gods. The king came and greeted all and then brought his daughter, Damayanti, in front of all. All were amazed by her beauty.

Damayanti looked around and saw many men who looked absolutely the same as Nala.

She started praying to the Gods silently. She said - I have accepted Nala as my husband. Bless me and help me find a way to identify Nala.

The Gods then gave a sign to Damayanti. Damayanti saw that the Gods did not cast a shadow, like Nala. Damayanti quickly went and garlanded Nala.

The Gods happy blessed them and gave them boons. Indra said he would be able to command  sacrifices. Agni said Nala would have command over fire and invoke it whenever needed. Varuna said Nala would be able to get water whenever needed. Shani gave him the knowledge of weapons. Blessing Nala, the Gods left. 

Nala goes as the messenger of Gods

Hearing about the swayamvar of Damayanti, Narada went to Indra. Indra gave him a seat to sit. The sage said he had heard about the beautiful Damayanti and that she was to have a swayamvar. All celestial beings were going there.
Hearing about Damayanti's beauty, the Gods wanted to see it for themselves. They set forth for the ceremony. On the way, they met Nala, who was also going for the swayamvar. Seeing Nala and admiring his features, they decided to give up going. They approached Nala and asked him for help. Nala agreed and then asked who they were. The Gods introduced themselves. They sasked Nala to go and tell Damayanti that was to choose one among the Gods as her husband.
Nala asked how he would enter the rooms which were well guarded. The Gods said he would not be stopped.
Nala was hesitant as he wanted to win Damayanti's hand, but as he had promised earlier, he went to Damayanti's chamber.
He was stunned to see her beauty. She was more beautiful than what the swan had said.

Damayanti was stunned to see Nala. Who was this divine looking human there? Was it a God or another celestial?

Keeping quiet for a while, not knowing what to say, Damayanti said - Who are you? Whay have you come here? How did you manage to come here, without being discovered by the guards.

Nala said - I am Nala. I have come here as a messenger of the Gods. The Gods desire to have you as their bride, and have asked me to tell you this.

Damayanti said - I respect the Gods and bow to them but I beg to differ. Having heard heard off you from the swan, I have, in heart, accepted you as my husband.

Nala said - It is rare to get a glimpse of Gods and now that they want you, Do you reject them?

Damayanti said - If you accept me, I need no other. When you come with Gods to the swayamvara, I will select you.

Nala went and told the Gods about the conversation.

The Gods also took the form of Nala, and along with Nala, they went inside the swayamvara hall.

Nala hears about Damayanti

Yudhistira told the sage about how he had lost all he had in the game and about the hardships that they were facing.
The sage said you have your brothers with you. That is not hardship. Nala faced many more troubles and hardships than you.

Yudhistira then asked the sage to tell about Nala. The sage said :

Nala was great and handsome king. He ruled the kingdom of Nishad.
In Vidharva, was a king called Bhima, who was equal to Nala in all qualities. A sage called Daman one day came to meet Bhima. Bhima said he was sad as he had no children. The sage blessed the king and said he would be blessed with a lovely daughter. Soon, a daughter was born. The girl was named Damayanti after the sage.

One day Damayanti heard about Nala and just hearing about the king, fell in love with him.
In his kingdom, having heard about about Damayanti, Nala also wanted to meet her and wed her.

One day Nala was in his garden when he saw a swan swimming in a pond. The king caught the swan. The swan asked the king to release it. The bird said if it was granted its life, it would help Nala meet Damayanti.

The king released the bird.

The bird flew to the kingdom where Damayanti lived.

Damayanti was in the garden plucking flowers when the swan came there. Damayanti caught the swan. The swan, in a human voice, asked Damayanto to release, In return, the bird said, it would tell the princess about Nala.

Damayanti released the bird. The bird described Nala to Damayanti and said the king was interested in her. Damayanti was thrilled to hear this. Damayanti told the bird that she wanted to wed Nala. Hearing this, the bird flew back where Nala was.

Damayanti, in her kingdom, was lost in the thoughts of Nala. Her friends reported to the king about Damayanti. The king was also worried. Hearing this, the queen said it was time to get Damayanti married.

The king not knowing who would be a right choice for her, decided to hold a swayamvara. 

Pandavas miss Arjuna

In the Kamyaka forest, the Pandavas went hunting everyday. Whatever they could find, they gave it to Draupadi who prepared the food and then fed all brahmanas. After that Draupadi fed her husbands and then in the end she took her food. All was going well, but they were missing Arjuna there.

One day the sage Brihadashva cane there. Yudhistira welcomed the sage and gave him a place to sit. 

Sanjaya tells Dhritarashtra about the Pandavas

Janmajeya asked the sage , Did Dhritarashtra get to know about this? How did he react?

The sage continued.

Dhritarashtra sent for Sanjaya and asked him if he was aware of the travels of Arjuna, about which he had heard rumors. Sanjaya said - I know all this. Arjuna fought with Shiva and was blessed by him. Arjuna then went to the heavens where he was taught how to use amazing weapons.

Dhritarashtra was sad. How would someone be able to able to win over Arjuna.

Sanjaya told the blind king about Krishna's visit to Yudhistira, Sanjaya said Krishna was very angry when he heard of the exile of Pandavas and had said that all the lost wealth and kingdom would be back theirs.

Dhritarashtra said he had felt that the days of his lineage was ending, the day the hair of Draupadi had been touched.