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

Janamejaya said, "When the high-souled Partha went to Indra's region for

obtaining weapons, what did Yudhishthira and the other sons of Pandu do?"

Vaisampayana said, "When the high-souled Partha went to Indra's region

for obtaining weapons, those bulls of the Bharata race continued to dwell

with Krishna in (the woods of) Kamyaka. One day, those foremost of the

Bharatas, afflicted with grief, were seated with Krishna on a clean and

solitary sward. Grieving for Dhananjaya, overwhelmed with sorrow, their

voices were choked with weeping. Tortured by Dhananjaya's absence, grief

afflicted them equally. And filled with sorrow at their separation from

Arjuna and at the loss of their kingdom, the mighty-armed Bhima among

them addressed Yudhishthira, saying, "That Bull of the Bharata race,

Arjuna, O great king, on whom depend the lives of Pandu's sons, and on

whose death the Panchalas as also ourselves with our sons and Satyaki and

Vasudeva are sure to die, hath gone away at thy behest. What can be

sadder than this that the virtuous Vibhatsu hath gone away at thy

command, thinking of his many griefs? Depending upon the might of that

illustrious hero's arms, regard our foes as already vanquished in battle,

and the whole earth itself as already acquired by us. It was for the sake

of that mighty warrior that I refrained from sending to the other world

all the Dhartarashtras along with the Suvalas, in the midst of the

assembly. Gifted with might of arms, and supported by Vasudeva, we have

to suppress the wrath that hath been roused in us, because thou art the

root of that wrath. Indeed, with Krishna's help, slaying our foes headed

by Karna, we are able to rule the entire earth (thus) conquered by our

own arms. Endued with manliness, we are yet overwhelmed with calamities,

in consequence of thy gambling vice, while the foolish null of

Dhritarashtra are growing stronger with the tributes (gathered from

dependent kings). O mighty monarch, it behoveth thee to keep in view the

duties of the Kshatriya. O great king, it is not the duty of a Khsatriya

to live in the woods. The wise are of the opinion that to rule is the

foremost duty of a Kshatriya. O king, thou art conversant with Kshatriya

morality. Do not, therefore, deviate from the path of duty. Turning away

from the woods, let us, summoning Partha and Janardana, slay, O king, the

sons of Dhritarashtra, even before the twelve years are complete. O

illustrious monarch O king of kings, even if these Dhartarashtras be

surrounded by soldiers in array of battle, I shall send them to the other

world by dint of might alone. I shall slay all the sons of Dhritarashtra

along with the Sauvalas, indeed, Duryodhana, Karna, and any one else that

will fight with me. And after I shall have slain all our foes, thou mayst

come back unto the woods. By acting thus, O king, no fault will be thine.

(Or if any sin be thine), O represser of foes, O mighty monarch, washing

it off, O sire, by various sacrifices, we may ascend to a superior

heaven. Such a consummation may come to pass, if our king proveth not

unwise or procrastinating. Thou art, however, virtuous. Verily the

deceitful should be destroyed by deceit. To slay the deceitful by deceit,

is not regarded as sinful. O Bharata, it is, also said by those versed in

morality that one day and night is, O great prince, equal unto a full

year. The Veda text also, exalted one, is often heard, signifying that a

year is equivalent to a day when passed in the observance of certain

difficult vows. O thou of unfading glory, if the Vedas are an authority

with thee, regard thou the period of a day and something more as the

equivalent of thirteen years. O represser of foes, this is the time to

slay Duryodhana with his adherents. Else, O king, he will beforehand

bring the whole earth obedient to his will. O foremost of monarchs, all

this is the result of thy addiction to gambling. We are on the verge of

destruction already, in consequence of thy promise of living one year

undiscovered. I do not find the country where, if we live, the

wicked-minded Suyodhana may not be able to trace us by his spies. And

finding us out, that wretch will again deceitfully send us into such

exile in the woods. Or if that sinful one beholdeth us emerge, after the

expiry of the pledged period of non-discovery, he will again invite thee,

O great king, to dice, and the play will once more begin. Summoned once

more, thou wilt again efface thyself at dice. Thou art not skilled at

dice, and when summoned at play, thou wilt be deprived of thy senses.

Therefore, O mighty monarch thou wilt have to lead a life in the woods

again. If, O mighty king, it behoveth thee not to make us wretched for

life, observe thou fully the ordinance of the Vedas, (which inculcateth

that) verily the deceitful ought to be slain by deceit. If I but have thy

command I would go (to Hastinapura) and, even as fire falling upon a heap

of grass consumeth it, would slay Duryodhana, putting forth my utmost

might. It behoveth thee, therefore, to grant me the permission.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Bhima, king Yudhishthira the

just, smelt the crown of that son of Pandu, and pacifying him said, 'O

mighty-armed one, without doubt, thou wilt, assisted by the wielder of

the Gandiva, slay Suyodhana at the expiry of the thirteenth year. But, O

son of Pritha, as for thy assertion, 'O Lord, the time is complete', I

cannot dare tell an untruth, for untruth is not in me. O son of Kunti,

without the help of fraud, wilt thou kill the wicked and irrepressible

Duryodhana, with his allies.'

"While Yudhishthira the just, was speaking unto Bhima thus, there came

the great and illustrious Rishi Vrihadaswa before them. And beholding

that virtuous ascetic before him, the righteous king worshipped him

according to the ordinance, with the offering of Madhuparka. And when the

ascetic was seated and refreshed, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira sat by

him, and looking up at the former, addressed him thus in exceedingly

piteous accents:

'O holy one, summoned by cunning gamblers skilled at dice, I have been

deprived of wealth and kingdom through gambling. I am not an adept at

dice, and am unacquainted with deceit. Sinful men, by unfair means,

vanquished me at play. They even brought into the public assembly my wife

dearer unto me than life itself. And defeating me a second time, they

have sent me to distressful exile in this great forest, clad in deer

skins. At present I am leading a distressful life in the woods in grief

of heart. Those harsh and cruel speeches they addressed me on the

occasion of that gambling match, and the words of my afflicted friends

relating to the match at dice and other subjects, are all stored up in my

remembrance. Recollecting them I pass the whole night in (sleepless)

anxiety. Deprived also (of the company) of the illustrious wielder of the

Gandiva, on whom depend the lives of us all, I am almost deprived of

life. Oh, when shall I see the sweet-speeched and large-hearted Vibhatsu

so full of kindness and activity, return to us, having obtained all

weapons? Is there a king on this earth who is more unfortunate than

myself? Hast thou ever seen or heard of any such before? To my thinking,

there is no man more wretched than I am.'

"Vrihadaswa said, 'O great king, O son of Pandu, thou sayest, 'There is

no person more miserable than I am' O sinless monarch, if thou wilt

listen, I will relate unto thee the history of a king more wretched than

thyself?

Vaisampayana continued, "And thereupon the king said unto the ascetic, 'O

illustrious one, tell me, I desire to hear the history of the king who

had fallen into such a condition.'

"Vrihadaswa said, 'O king, O thou that never fallest off, listen

attentively with thy brothers, I will narrate the history of a prince

more miserable than thyself. There was a celebrated king among the

Nishadhas, named Virasena. He had a son named Nala, versed in (the

knowledge of) virtue and wealth. It hath been heard by us that, that king

was deceitfully defeated by Pushkara, and afflicted with calamity, he

dwelt in the woods with his spouse. And, O king, while he was living in

the forest, he had neither slaves nor cars, neither brother nor friends

with him. But thou art surrounded by thy heroic brothers like unto the

celestials, and also by foremost regenerate ones like unto Brahma

himself. Therefore, it behoveth thee not to grieve.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'I am anxious to hear in detail, O thou foremost of

eloquent men, the history of the illustrious Nala. It behoveth thee

therefore to relate it unto me.'

SECTION LIII

Vrihadaswa said, "There was a king named Nala, the son of Virasena. And

he was strong, and handsome, and well-versed in (the knowledge of)

horses, and possessed of every desirable accomplishment. And he was at

the head of all the kings, even like the lord of the celestials. And

exalted over all, he resembled the sun in glory. And he was the king of

the Nishadhas, intent on the welfare of the Brahmanas, versed in the

Vedas, and possessed of heroism. And he was truth-telling, fond of dice,

and the master of a mighty army. And he was the beloved of men and women,

and of great soul and subdued passions. And he was the protector (of

all), and the foremost of bowmen, and like unto Manu himself. 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. (But withal) he was childless. And with a fixed mind, he

tried his utmost for obtaining issue. And. O Bharata there came unto him

(once) a Brahmarshi named Damana. And, O king of kings, desirous of

having offspring, Bhima, versed in morality, with his queen gratified

that illustrious Rishi by a respectful reception. And Damana,

well-pleased, granted unto the king and his consort a boon in the form of

a jewel of a daughter, and three sons possessed of lofty souls and great

fame. (And they were called respectively) Damayanti, and Dama and Danta,

and illustrious Damana. And the three sons were possessed of every

accomplishment and terrible mien and fierce prowess. And the

slender-waisted Damayanti, in beauty and brightness, in good name and

grace and luck, became celebrated all over the world. And on her

attaining to age, hundreds of hand-maids, and female slaves, decked in

ornaments, waited upon her like Sachi herself. And Bhima's daughter of

faultless features, decked in every ornament, shone in the midst of her

hand-maids, like the luminous lightning of the clouds. And the large-eyed

damsel was possessed of great beauty like that of Sree herself. And

neither among celestials, nor among Yakshas, nor among men was anybody

possessed of such beauty, seen or heard of before. And the beautiful

maiden filled with gladness the hearts of even the gods. And that tiger

among men, Nala also had not his peer in the (three) worlds: for in

beauty he was like Kandarpa himself in his embodied form. And moved by

admiration, the heralds again and again celebrated the praises of Nala

before Damayanti and those of Damayanti before the ruler of the

Nishadhas. And repeatedly hearing of each other's virtues they conceived

an attachment towards each other not begot of sight, and that attachment,

O son of Kunti began to grow in strength. And then Nala was unable to

control the love that was in his bosom. And he began to pass much of his

time in solitude in the gardens adjoining the inner apartment (of his

palace). And there he saw a number of swans furnished with golden wings,

wandering in those woods. And from among them he caught one with his

hands. And thereupon the sky-ranging one said unto Nala. 'Deserve I not

to be slain by thee. O king. I will do something that is agreeable to

thee. O king of the Nishadhas. I will speak of thee before Damayanti in

such a way that she will not ever desire to have any other person (for

her lord).' Thus addressed, the king liberated that swan. And those swans

then rose on their wings and went to the country of the Vidarbhas. And on

arriving at the city of the Vidarbhas the birds alighted before

Damayanti, who beheld them all. And Damayanti in the midst of her maids,

beholding those birds of extraordinary appearance was filled with

delight, and strove without loss of time to catch those coursers of the

skies. And the swans at this, before that bevy of beauties, fled in all

directions. And those maidens there pursued the birds, each (running)

after one. And the swan after which Damayanti ran, having led her to a

secluded spot, addressed her in human speech, saying, O Damayanti, there

is a king amongst the Nishadhas named Nala. He is equal unto the Aswins

in beauty, not having his peer among men. Indeed, in comeliness, he is

like Kandarpa himself in his embodied form. 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 and

Gandharvas, and Nagas, and Rakshasas, and men, but never saw we before

any one like Nala. Thou also art a jewel among thy sex, as Nala is the

prime among men. The union of the best with the best is happy.' Thus

addressed by the swan. Damayanti, O monarch, replied unto him there,

saying, 'Do thou speak thus unto Nala also, 'Saying So be it, to the

daughter of Vidarbha, the oviparous one, O king, returned to the country

of the Nishadhas, and related everything unto Nala."

SECTION LIV

"Vrihadaswa said, 'O Bharata, hearing those words of the swan, Damayanti

thenceforth lost all peace of mind on account of Nala. And heaving

frequent sighs she was filled with anxiety, and became melancholy and

pale-faced and lean. And with her heart possessed by the god of love, she

soon lost colour, and with her upturned gaze and modes of abstraction,

looked like one demented. And she lost all inclination for beds and seats

and object of enjoyment. And she ceased to lie down by day or night,

always weeping with exclamation of Oh! and Alas! And beholding her uneasy

and fallen into that condition, her hand-maids represented, O king, the

matter of her illness unto the ruler of Vidarbha by indirect hints. And

king Bhima, hearing of this from the handmaids of Damayanti, regarded the

affair of his daughter to be serious. And he asked himself, 'Why is it

that my daughter seemeth to be so ill now?' And the king, reflecting by

himself that his daughter had attained to puberty, concluded that

Damayanti's Swayamvara should take place. And the monarch, O exalted one,

(invited) all the rulers of the earth, saying, Ye heroes, know that

Damayanti's Swayamvara is at hand, And all the kings, hearing of

Damayanti's Swayamvara, came unto Bhima, agreeable to his message,

filling the earth with the clatter of their cars, the roar of their

elephants, and the neighing of their horses, and accompanied with their

fine-looking battalions decked in ornaments and graceful garlands. And

the mighty-armed Bhima paid due reverence unto those illustrious

monarchs. And duly honoured by him they took up their quarters there.'

"And at the juncture, those foremost of celestial Rishis possessed of

great splendour, of great wisdom and great vows--namely, Narada and

Parvata--having arrived in course of their wandering at the regions of

Indra entered the mansion of the lord of the immortals, receiving proper

worship. And Maghavat having worshipped them reverentially, inquired

after their undisturbed peace and welfare as regards all respects. And

Narada said, 'O lord, O divine one, peace attendeth us in every respect.

And, O Maghavat, peace attendeth also O exalted one, the kings of the

whole world.'

"Vrihadaswa continued. 'Hearing the words of Narada the slaver of Vala

and Vritra said, 'Those righteous rulers of the earth who fight

renouncing all desire of life, and who meet death when their time is come

by means of weapons, without flying from the field,--theirs is this

region, everlasting unto them and granting all desires, even as it is to

me. Where be those Kshatriya heroes? I do not see those kings approach

(now) Where are my favourite guests?' Thus addressed by Sakra, Narada

replied, 'Listen, O Mahavat, why seest not thou the kings (now)? The

ruler of the Vidarbhas hath a daughter--the celebrated Damayanti. In

beauty she transcendeth all the women of the earth. Her Swayamvara, O

Sakra, will take place shortly. Thither are going all the kings and

Princes from all directions. And all the lords of the earth desire to

have that pearl of the earth,--desire to have her eagerly, O slaver of

Vala and Vritra.' And while they were talking thus, those foremost of the

immortals, the Lokapalas with Agni among them, appeared before the lord

of the celestials. And all of them heard the words of Narada fraught with

grave import. And as soon as they heard them, they exclaimed in rapture,

We also will go there. And, O mighty monarch, accompanied by their

attendants and mounted on their (respective) vehicles, they set out for

the country of Vidarbhas, whither (had gone) all the kings. And, O son of

Kunti, the high-souled king Nala also hearing of that concourse of kings,

set out with a cheerful heart, full of Damayanti's love. And (it came to

pass) that the gods saw Nala on the way treading on the earth. And his

form owing to its beauty was like that of the god of love himself. And

beholding him resplendent as the sun, the Lokapalas were filled with

astonishment at his wealth of beauty, and abandoned their intention. And,

O king, leaving their cars in the sky the dwellers of heaven alighted

from the welkin and spake unto the ruler of the Nishadhas, saying, 'O

foremost of monarchs ruling the Nishadhas, O Nala, thou art devoted to

truth. Do thou help us. O best of men, be thou our messenger.'"

SECTION LV

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O Bharata, Nala pledged his word to the

celestials saying, 'I will do it.' And then approaching these, he asked

with folded hands. 'Who are ye? And who also is he that desireth me to be

his messenger? And what, further, shall I have to do for you? O tell me

truly!'--When the king of the Nishadhas spoke thus, Maghavat replied,

saying, 'Know us as the immortals come hither for Damayanti's sake. I am

Indra, this one is Agni, this the lord of waters, and this, O king, is

even Yama the destroyer of the bodies of men. Do thou inform Damayanti of

our arrival, saying, 'The guardians of the world, (consisting of) the

great Indra and the others, are coming to the assembly, desirous of

beholding (the Swayamvara). The gods, Sakra and Agni and Varuna and Yama,

desire to obtain thee. Do thou, therefore, choose one of them for thy

lord.' Thus addressed by Sakra, Nala said with joined hands, 'I have come

here with the self same object. It behoveth thee not to send me (on this

errand). How can a person who is himself under the influence of love

bring himself to speak thus unto a lady on behalf of others? Therefore,

spare me, ye gods' The gods, however, said, 'O ruler of the Nishadhas,

having promised first, saying, 'I will! why wilt thou not act accordingly

now? O ruler of the Nishadhas, tell us this without delay.'

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Thus addressed by those celestials, the ruler of

Nishadhas spake again, saying, 'Those mansions are well-guarded. How can

I hope to enter them?' Indra replied, 'Thou shalt be able to enter.' And,

saying, So be it.' Nala thereupon went to the palace of Damayanti. And

having arrived there, he beheld the daughter of the king of Vidarbha

surrounded by her hand-maids, blazing in beauty and excelling in symmetry

of form, of limbs exceedingly delicate, of slender waist and fair eyes.

And she seemed to rebuke the light of the moon by her own splendour. And

as he gazed on that lady of sweet smiles. Nala's love increased, but

desirous of keeping his truth, he suppressed his passion. And at the

sight of Naishadha, overpowered by his effulgence, those first of women

sprang up from their seats in amazement. And filled with wonder (at his

sight), they praised Nala in gladness of heart. And without saying

anything, they mentally paid him homage, 'Oh, what comeliness! Oh, what

gentleness belongeth to this high-souled one! Who is he? Is he some god

or Yaksha or Gandharva?' And those foremost of women, confounded by

Nala's splendour and bashfulness would not accost him at all in speech.

And Damayanti although herself struck with amazement, smilingly addressed

the warlike Nala who also gently smiled at her, saying, 'What art thou, O

thou of faultless features, that hast come here awakening my love? O

sinless one, O hero of celestial form, I am anxious to know who thou art

that hast come hither. And 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.' Thus addressed by

the daughter of the king of the Vidarbhas, 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.'"

SECTION LVI

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Damayanti, having bowed down unto the gods, thus

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 in burning me. It is for thy sake, O hero, that

I have caused the kings to meet. O giver of proper honour, if thou

forsake me who adore thee, for thy sake will I resort to poison, or fire,

or water or the rope.' Thus addressed by the daughter of the king of the

Vidarbhas, Nala answered her saying, 'With the Lokapalas present,

choosest thou a man? Do thou turn thy heart to those high-souled lords,

the creators of the worlds, 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. By accepting

the gods, do thou enjoy spotless robes, and celestial garlands of

variegated hues, and excellent ornaments. What woman would not choose as

her lord Hutasana--the chief of the celestials, who compassing the earth

swalloweth it? What woman would not choose him as her lord the dread of

whose mace induceth all creatures to tread the path of virtue? And what

woman would not choose as her lord the virtuous and high-souled Mahendra,

the lord of the celestials, the chastiser of Daityas and Danavas? Or, if

thou couldst choose in thy heart Varuna amongst the Lokapalas, do so

unhesitatingly. O accept this friendly advice.' Thus addressed by

Naishadha, 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.' The king, who had come as the messenger

of the gods, 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 in especial, 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 of luminous smiles slowly spake 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. O king, do thou, O

foremost of men, come to the Swayamvara in company with all the gods

headed by Indra. There, O Monarch, in the presence of the Lokapalas I

will, O tiger among men, choose thee--at which no blame will be thine.'

Thus addressed, O monarch, by the daughter of Vidarbha, king Nala

returned to where the gods were staying together. And beholding him

approach those great gods, the Lokapalas, eagerly asked him about all

that had happened saying, 'Hast thou, O king, seen Damayanti of sweet

smiles? What hath she said unto us all? O sinless monarch, tell us

everything.' Nala answered, 'Commanded by you I entered Damayanti's

palace furnished with lofty portals guarded by veteran warders bearing

wands. And as I entered, no one perceived me, by virtue of your power,

except the princess. And I saw her hand-maids, and they also saw me. And,

O exalted celestials, seeing me, they were filled with wonder. And as I

spake unto her of you, the fair-faced maiden, her will fixed on me, O ye

best of the gods, chose me (for her spouse).' And the maiden said, 'Let

the gods, O tiger among men, come with thee to the Swayamvara, I will in

their presence, choose thee. At this, O thou of mighty arms, no blame

will attach to thee.' 'This is all, ye gods, that took place, as I have

said. Finally, everything rests with you, ye foremost of celestials.'"