The Mahabharata, of, Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, BOOK 3, (Nalopakhyana Parva) SECTION LXXII

  

The Mahabharata, of, Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, BOOK 3, (Nalopakhyana Parva)

 SECTION LXXII

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Like a bird coursing through the sky, Nala soon

crossed rivers and mountains, and woods and lakes. And while the car was

coursing thus, that conqueror of hostile cities, the royal son of

Bhangasura, saw his upper garment drop down on the ground. And at soon as

his garment had dropped down the high-minded monarch, without loss of

time, told Nala, 'I intend to recover it. O thou of profound

intelligence, retain these steeds endued with exceeding swiftness until

Varshneya bringeth back my garment.' Thereupon Nala replied unto him,

'The sheet is dropped down far away. We have travelled one yojana thence.

Therefore, it is incapable of being recovered.' After Nala had addressed

him thus, O king, the royal son of Bhangasura came upon a Vibhitaka tree

with fruits in a forest. And seeing that tree, the king hastily said to

Vahuka, 'O charioteer, do thou also behold my high proficiency in

calculation. All men do not know everything. There is no one that is

versed in every science of art. Knowledge in its entirety is not found in

any one person, O Vahuka, the leaves and fruits of this tree that are

lying on the ground respectively 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. Do thou examine these

two branches and all their boughs.' Thereupon staying the car Vahuka

addressed the king, saying, 'O crusher of foes, thou takest credit to

thyself in a matter which is beyond my perception. But, O monarch, I will

ascertain it by the direct evidence of my senses, by cutting down the

Vibhitaka. O king, when I actually count, it will no longer be matter of

speculation. Therefore, in thy presence, O monarch, I will hew down this

Vibhitaka. I do not know whether it be not (as thou hast said). In thy

presence, O ruler of men, I will count the fruits and leaves. Let

Varshneya hold the reins of the horses for a while.' Unto the charioteer

the king replied, 'There is no time to lose.' But Vahuka answered with

humility, 'Stay thou a short space, or, if thou art in a hurry, go then,

making Varshneya thy charioteer. The road lies direct and even.' And at

this, O son of the Kuru race, soothing Vahuka, Rituparna said, 'O Vahuka,

thou art the only charioteer, there is none other in this world. And, O

thou versed in horse lore, it is through thy help that I expect to go to

the Vidarbhas. I place myself in thy hands. It behoveth thee not to cause

any obstacle. And, O Vahuka, whatever thy wish. I will grant it if taking

me to the country of the Vidarbhas to-day, thou makest me see the sun

rise.' At this, Vahuka answered him, saying, 'After having counted (the

leaves and fruits of the) Vibhitaka, I shall proceed to Vidarbha, do thou

agree to my words. Then the king reluctantly told him, 'Count. And on

counting the leaves and fruits of a portion of this branch, thou wilt be

satisfied of the truth of my assertion.' And thereupon Vahuka speedily

alighted from the car, and felled that tree. And struck with amazement

upon finding the fruits, after calculation, to be what the king had said,

he addressed the king, saying, 'O monarch, this thy power is wonderful. I

desire, O prince, to know the art by which thou hast ascertained all

this.' And at this king, intent upon proceeding speedily, said unto

Vahuka. 'Know that I am proficient at dice besides being versed in

numbers. And Vahuka said unto him, 'Impart unto me this knowledge and, O

bull among men, take from me my knowledge of horses.' And king Rituparna,

having regard to the importance of the act that depended upon Vahuka's

good-will, and tempted also by the horse-lore (that his charioteer

possessed), 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.' And saying this, Rituparna imparted unto Nala the science (he

desired). And Nala upon becoming acquainted with the science of dice,

Kali came out of his body, incessantly vomiting from his mouth the

virulent poison of Karkotaka.

And when Kali, afflicted (by Damayanti's curse) came out (of Nala's

body), the fire of that curse also left Kali. Indeed, long had been the

time for which the king had been afflicted by Kali, as if he were of

unregenerate soul. And Kala the ruler of the Nishadhas, in wrath, was

bent upon cursing Kali, when the latter, frightened, and trembling, said

with joined hands, '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 resided in thee, O mighty monarch, O unconquered one,

miserably and burning night and day with the venom of the prince of

snakes. I seek thy protection. If thou dost not curse me who am

affrighted and seek thy protection, then those men that will attentively

recite thy history, shall be even free from fear on my account.' And thus

addressed by Kali, king Nala controlled his wrath. And thereupon the

frightened Kali speedily entered into the Vibhitaka tree. And while the

Kali was conversing with Naishadha, he was invisible to others. And

delivered from his afflictions, and having counted the fruits of that

tree, the king, filled with great joy and of high energy, mounted on the

car and proceeded with energy, urging those fleet horses. And from the

touch of Kali the Vibhitaka tree from that hour fell into disrepute. And

Nala, with a glad heart, began to urge those foremost of steeds which

sprang into the air once and again like creatures endued with wings. And

the illustrious monarch drove (the car) in the direction of the

Vidarbhas. And after Nala had gone far away, Kali also returned to his

abode. And abandoned by Kali, O king, that lord of earth, the royal Nala,

became freed from calamity though he did not assume his native form.'"

SECTION LXXIII

"Vrihadaswa said, 'After Rituparna of prowess incapable of being baffled

had, in the evening, arrived at the city of the Vidarbhas, the people

brought unto king Bhima the tidings (of his arrival). And at the

invitation of Bhima, the king (of Ayodhya) entered the city of Kundina,

filling with the rattle of his car all the ten points, direct and

transverse, of the horizon. And the steeds of Nala that were in that city

heard that sound, and hearing it they became delighted as they used to be

in the presence of Nala himself. And Damayanti also heard the sound of

that car driven by Nala, like the deep roar of the clouds in the rainy

season. And Bhima and the steeds (of Nala) regarded the clatter of that

car to be like that which they used to hear in days of yore when king

Nala himself urged his own steeds. And the peacocks on the terraces, and

the elephants in the stables, and the horses also, all heard the rattle

of Rituparna's car. And hearing the sound, so like the roar of the

clouds, the elephants and the peacocks, O king, began to utter their

cries, facing that direction, and filled with delight such as they

experience when they hear the actual roar of the clouds. And Damayanti

said, 'Because the rattle of his car filling the whole earth, gladdens my

heart, it must be King Nala (that has come). 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. If Naishadha with voice deep as

that of the clouds doth not come to me today, I shall enter into a pyre

of golden brilliance. If that foremost of kings, powerful as a lion and

gifted with the strength of an infuriated elephant, doth not present

himself before me, I shall certainly cease to live. I do not remember a

single untruth in him, or a single wrong done by him to others. Never

hath he spoken an untruth even in jest. Oh, my Nala is exalted and

forgiving and heroic and magnificent and superior to all other kings, and

faithful to his marriage vow and like unto a eunuch in respect of other

females. Night and day dwelling upon his perceptions, my heart, in

absence of that dear one, is about to burst in grief.'

"Thus bewailing as if devoid of sense, Damayanti, O Bharata, ascended the

terrace (of her mansion) with the desire of seeing the righteous Nala.

And in the yard of the central mansion she beheld king Rituparna on the

car with Varshneya and Vahuka. And Varshneya and Vahuka, descending for

that excellent vehicle, unyoked the steeds, and kept the vehicle itself

in a proper place. And king Rituparna also, descending from the car,

presented himself before king Bhima possessed of terrible prowess. And

Bhima received him with great respect, for in the absence of a proper

occasion, a great person cannot be had (as a guest). And honoured by

Bhima, king Rituparna looked about him again and again, but saw no traces

of the Swayamvara. And the ruler of the Vidarbhas, O Bharata, approaching

Rituparna, said, 'Welcome! What is the occasion of this thy visit?' And

king Bhima asked this without knowing that Rituparna had come to obtain

the hand of his daughter. And king Rituparna, of unbaffled prowess and

gifted with intelligence, saw that there were no other kings or princes.

Nor did he hear any talk relating to the Swayamvara, nor saw any

concourse of Brahmanas. And at this, the king of Kosala reflected a while

and at length said, 'I have come here to pay my respects to thee.' And

the king Bhima was struck with astonishment, and reflected upon the

(probable) cause of Rituparna's coming, having passed over a hundred

yojanas. And he reflected, 'That passing by other sovereigns, and leaving

behind him innumerable countries, he should come simply to pay his

respect to me is scarcely the reason of his arrival. What he assigneth to

be the cause of his coming appeareth to be a trifle. However, I shall

learn the true reason in the future.' And although king Bhima thought so,

he did not dismiss Rituparna summarily, but said unto him again and

again, 'Rest, thou art weary.' And honoured thus by the pleased Bhima,

king Rituparna was satisfied, and with a delighted heart, he went to his

appointed quarters followed by the servants of the royal household."

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'And, O king, after Rituparna had gone away with

Varshneya, Vahuka took the car to the stables. And there freeing the

steeds, and tending them according to rule, and soothing them himself,

sat down on a side of the car. Meanwhile, the princess of Vidharva,

Damayanti, afflicted with grief, having beheld the royal son of

Bhangasura, and Varshneya of the Suta race, and also Vahuka in that

guise, asked herself, 'Whose is this car-rattle? It was loud as that of

Nala, but I do not see the ruler of the Nishadhas. Certainly, Varshneya

hath learnt the art from Nala, and it is for this the rattle of the car

driven by him hath been even like that of Nala. Or, is Rituparna equally

skilled with Nala so that the rattle of his car seemeth to be like that

of Nala?' And reflecting thus, O monarch, the blessed and beauteous girl

sent a female messenger in search of Nishada."

SECTION LXXIV

"Damayanti said, 'O Kesini, go thou and learn who that charioteer is that

sitteth by the car, unsightly and possessed of short arms. O blessed one,

O faultless one, approaching him, cautiously and with suit words, make

thou the usual inquiries of courtesy and learn all particulars truly.

Having regard to the feeling of satisfaction my mind experienceth, and

the delight my heart feeleth, I am greatly afraid this one is king Nala

himself. And, O faultless one, having inquired after his welfare, thou

shalt speak unto him the words of Parnada. And, O beauteous one,

understand the reply he may make thereto.' Thus instructed, that female

messenger, going cautiously, while the blessed Damayanti watched from the

terrace, addressed Vahuka in these words, 'O foremost of men, thou art

welcome. I wish thee happiness. O bull among men, hear now the words of

Damayanti. When did ye all set out, and with what object have ye come

hither. Tell us truly, for the princess of Vidarbha wisheth to hear it.'

Thus addressed, Vahuka answered, the illustrious king of Kosala had heard

from a Brahmana that a second Swayamvara of Damayanti would take place.

And hearing it, he hath come here, by the help of excellent steeds fleet

as the wind and capable of going a hundred yojanas. I am his charioteer.

Kesini then asked, 'Whence doth the third among you come, and whose (son)

is he? And whose son art thou, and how hast thou come to do this work?'

Thus questioned, Vahuka replied, 'He (of whom thou inquirest) was the

charioteer of the virtuous Nala, and known to all by the name of

Varshneya. After Nala had, O beauteous one, left his kingdom, he came to

the son of Bhangasura. I am skilled in horse-lore, and have, therefore,

been appointed as charioteer. Indeed, king Rituparna hath himself chosen

me as his charioteer and cook.' At this Kesini rejoined, 'Perhaps

Varshneya knoweth where king Nala hath gone, and O Vahuka, he may also

have spoken to thee (about his master).' Vahuka then said, 'Having

brought hither the children of Nala of excellent deeds, Varshneya went

away whither he listed: He doth not know where Naishadha is. Nor, O

illustrious one, doth anybody else know of Nala's whereabouts; for the

king (in calamity) wandereth over the world in disguise and despoiled of

(his native) beauty. Nala's self only knoweth Nala. Nala never

discovereth his marks of identity anywhere.' Thus addressed, Kesini

returned, 'The Brahmana that had before this gone to Ayodhya, had

repeatedly said these words suitable to female lips, 'O beloved gambler,

where hast thou gone cutting off half my piece of cloth, and deserting

me, his dear and devoted wife asleep in the woods? And she herself, as

commanded by him, waiteth expecting him clad in half a garment and

burning day and night in grief. O king, O hero, do thou relent towards

her that weepeth ceaselessly for that calamity and do thou give her an

answer. O illustrious one, do thou speak the words agreeable to her for

the blameless one panteth to hear them. Hearing these words of the

Brahmana thou didst formerly give a reply! The princess of Vidarbha again

wisheth to hear the words thou didst then say.'"

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O son of the Kuru race, hearing these words of

Kesini, Nala's heart was pained, and his eyes filled with tears. And

repressing his sorrow, the king who was burning in grief, said again

these words, in accents choked with tears: 'Chaste women, though

overtaken by calamity, yet protect themselves, and thereby secure heaven.

Women that are chaste, deserted by their lords, never become angry, but

continue to live, cased in virtue's mail. Deserted by one fallen into

calamity, bereft of sense, and despoiled of bliss, it behoveth her not to

be angry. A virtuous lady should not be angry with one that was deprived

by birds of his garment while striving to procure sustenance and who is

burning in misery. Whether treated well or ill she would never be angry,

seeing her husband in that plight, despoiled of his kingdom, bereft of

prosperity, oppressed with hunger, and overwhelmed with calamity.' And, O

Bharata, while speaking thus, Nala oppressed with grief, could not

restrain his tears, but began to weep. And thereupon Kesini went back to

Damayanti, and acquainted her with everything about that conversation as

well as that outburst of grief."

SECTION LXXV

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Hearing everything, Damayanti became oppressed with

grief, and suspecting the person to be Nala, said unto Kesini, 'O Kesini,

go thou again, and examine Vahuka, and staying in silence at his side

mark thou his conduct. And, O beauteous one, whenever he happens to do

anything skilful, do thou observe well his act while accomplishing it.

And, O Kesini, whenever he may ask water or fire, with the view of

offering him obstruction, thou shalt be in no hurry to give it. And

marking everything about his behaviour, come thou and tell me. And

whatever human or super-human thou seest in Vahuka, together with

anything else, should all be reported unto me.' And thus addressed by

Damayanti, Kesini went away, and having marked the conduct of that person

versed in horse-lore, she came back. And she related unto Damayanti all

that had happened, indeed, everything of human and superhuman that she

had witnessed in Vahuka. And Kesini said, 'O Damayanti, a person of such

control over the elements I have never before seen or heard of. Whenever

he cometh to low passage, he never stoopeth down, but seeing him, the

passage itself groweth in height so that he may pass through it easily.

And at his approach, impassable narrow holes open wide. King Bhima had

sent various kinds of meat--of diverse animals, for Rituparna's food. And

many vessels had been placed there for washing the meat. And as he looked

upon them, those vessels became filled (with water). And having washed

the meat, as he set himself to cook, he took up a handful of grass and

held it in the sun, when fire blazed up all on a sudden. Beholding this

marvel, I have come hither amazed. Further, I have witnessed in him

another great wonder. O beauteous one, he touched fire and was not burnt.

And at his will, water falling floweth in a stream. And, I have witnessed

another greater wonder still. He took up some flowers, began to press

them slowly with his hands. And pressed by his hand, the flowers did not

lose their original forms, but, on the contrary, became gayer and more

odorous than before. Having beheld wonderful things I have come hither

with speed.'"

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Hearing of these acts of the virtuous Nala, and

discovering him from his behaviour, Damayanti considered him as already

recovered. And from these indications suspecting that Vahuka was her

husband, Damayanti once more weepingly addressed Kesini in soft words,

saying, 'O beauteous one, go thou once more, and bring from the kitchen

without Vahuka's knowledge some meat that hath been boiled and dressed

(by him).' Thus commanded, Kesini, ever bent on doing what was agreeable

to Damayanti, went to Vahuka, and taking some hot meat came back without

loss of time. And Kesini gave that meat, O son of the Kuru race, unto

Damayanti. And Damayanti who had formerly often partaken of meat dressed

by Nala, tasted the meat that was brought by her hand-maid. And she

thereupon decided Vahuka to be Nala and wept aloud in grief of heart.

And, O Bharata, overwhelmed with grief, and washing her face, she sent

her two children with Kesini. And Vahuka, who was the king in disguise,

recognising Indrasena with her brother, advanced hastily, and embracing

them, took them up on his lap. And taking up his children like unto the

children of the celestials, he began to weep aloud in sonorous accents,

his heart oppressed with great sorrow. And after having repeatedly

betrayed his agitation, Naishadha suddenly left children, and addressed

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.'"

SECTION LXXVI

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Beholding the agitation of the virtuous and wise Nala,

Kesini returned unto Damayanti and related everything unto her. And

thereupon Damayanti with a sorrowful heart and eager to behold Nala,

again despatched Kesini to her mother, asking her to say on her behalf:

Suspecting Vahuka to be Nala, I have tried him in various ways. My doubt

now only 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. And arrange this with the knowledge of my father or without it. And

thus addressed to Damayanti, that lady communicated unto Bhima the

intention of his daughter, and upon learning it the king gave his

consent. And, O bull of the Bharata race, having obtained the consent

both of her father and mother, Damayanti caused Nala to be brought to her

apartments. And as soon as he saw Damayanti unexpectedly, king Nala was

overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, and bathed in tears. And that best of

women, Damayanti, also, upon beholding king Nala in that condition, was

sorely afflicted with grief. And, O monarch, herself clad in a piece of

red cloth, and wearing matted locks, and covered with dirt and dust,

Damayanti then addressed Vahuka, saying, '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 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 gone out in all directions, even to all the sides of the horizon,

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, O King, 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.' And thus

addressed by her, the Wind-god said 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 sky 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.'

And after the Wind-god had said this, a floral shower fell there and the

celestial kettle-drum began to play, and auspicious breezes began to

blow. And beholding those wonders, O Bharata, king Nala, the represser of

foes, cast away all his doubts in respect of Damayanti. And then that

lord of earth, remembering the king of serpents, wore that pure garment

and regained his native form. And 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. And burying

her face in his bosom, the beauteous Damayanti of large eyes began to

sigh heavily, remembering her griefs. And overwhelmed with sorrow, that

tiger among men stood for some time, clasping the dust-covered Damayanti

of sweet smiles. And, O king, the queen-mother then, with a glad heart,

told Bhima all that had passed between Nala and Damayanti. And the mighty

monarch answered, 'Let Nala pass this day in peace, to-morrow I shall see

him after his bath and prayers, with Damayanti by his side.' And, O king,

they passed that night pleasantly, in relating to each other the past

incidents of their life in the forest. And 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. And it was in the

fourth year (after the loss of his kingdom) that Nala was re-united with

his wife, and all his desires gratified, once more experienced the

highest bliss. And Damayanti rejoiced exceedingly in having recovered her

lord even as fields of tender plants on receiving a shower. And Bhima's

daughter, thus recovering her lord, 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 disc of

the moon!"