The Death of Nala

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्

 देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत्

महाभरत

Mahābharata

As retold by

Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahāyogi

Nala and Damayanti

After a long time had passed away, a brahmana named Parnada  returned to the city of Vidarbha.  The old wise man sought audience with the Princess. And when she came out, he bowed before her and said,  “O best of women, I have some news which may interest you.”

And the daughter of Bhima said,   “Please speak. I’m eager to hear you.”

Parnada said, “ While traveling through the  realm in search of your lost husband,  I came to the city of Ayodhya.  There I met the son of Bhangasura, whose name is Rituparna. He is the ruler of Ayodhya.  I followed your instructions and repeated your  words. No one there took any interest in anything I said, although I repeated your words several times. Neither the King, nor his courtiers, nor any of the men there answered anything. I’m sure they felt I was composing some poetry.

“Then, after I had been given leave to go by the King, I was approached by a strange man in  His Royal service.  This man  is a kind of charioteer or horse trainer by trade.  His name is Vahuka.  It’s hard for me to believe that this Vahuka is   the man you seek.  He is, you see, a dwarf.  A dwarf of hideous  countenance  whose twisted visage and hooked nose is marred by a  coal black beard.  And yet, he is a man of many accomplishments.  Not only does he keep  the king’s  horses,  but he  has trained them to run at great speed.  He is a master of the culinary arts  and often prepares the King’s feasts.” 

In any case,  this dwarf Vahuka  approached me as soon as I had finished.    And as I was leaving,  he held my arm in his rough grip.  He took me aside.  And as he wiped tears from his cheeks, he spoke to me in a choked voice. 

"He said, ‘Your song has moved my heart.   You have composed well. It grieves me to hear how a noble woman was abandoned in the forest with only half a  garment.  And yet still she awaits  the return  of the gambler  King.   This is good.’

‘A chaste women, although fallen into distress, will yet protect her virtue,’ said the dwarf. ‘ Even though they may be abandoned by the King they do not become angry on that account. A chaste and faithful women  leads her lives protected by her honor.   She will  wear her virtue  like a silver suit  of armor that protects her from all harm. A woman who shows such self-control may gain mastery over the universe and even reach heaven itself. 

“‘And yet the lady in your song should not be angry with this gambler king.  Robbed of all fortune and even stripped of his garment  by  thieving vultures,  he must have left her to her fortune that she might live. 

“‘Because, if this lady had followed her gambler King into the dark forest she would surely have perished along with him. Knowing that her husband has suffered so, should not be angry even while forsaken.  I’m sure your gambler King poem was too overwhelmed  by sorrow to return to his lady. If he could, that gambler King  would surely return to her side.  But his destiny is to hide  in misery and exile,  grief stricken,  famine wasted,  and worn with woe.’

“‘A noteworthy composition. I am deeply  moved. I wonder at the patience of the lady.” And saying this that shrunken dwarf let go his grip and vanished into the mist.’

“After I heard this mysterious discourse from the dwarf, I came her as quickly as I could,” said the wise old brahmana. “Perhaps this news may help your royal highness.”

Damayanti thanked the brahmana Parnada, gave him charity and sent him on his way. Tears came to her eyes to think that Nala was alive. But she had to be sure. She sent for her mother, and, swearing her to secrecy said, “My dear mother. I have had some news. But we must be discreet. For now, I can’t say anything. My father must not know anything of my plans. But I have an idea. If you at all wish to help me, please follow my instructions.”

“What is it child?” said the Queen.

“First we must send for that most discreet of brahmanas, Sudeva, who discovered me in the kingdom of Chedi. Only he may be trusted with my purpose. I want him sent to Ayodhya.”

“As you wish, my dear,” said the Queen and sent for Sudeva.

And when Sudeva had arrived, Damayanti said, “O best of the twice-born, only you can fulfill my purpose for it was you who found me in Chedi when I was lost to the world.”

Sudeva bowed deeply. He comforted her with sweet words and auspicious mantras and listened to her plan.

“Sudeva, I want you to go to Ayodhya and give this message to the king who rules there, Rituparna. Tell him these words exactly: ‘Bhima, King of Vidarbha, has issued a royal decree. As Princess Damayanti’s husband has disappeared, he is hereby proclaimed dead. The princess, having passed a long time of mourning and grief will offer her hand in marriage to the champion who comes and claims here. Let the word go forth to all challengers that Bhima’s daughter is holding a new swayamvara. All great kings and princes are gathering in Vidarbha for the occasion. The ceremony is to take place tomorrow. O King of Ayodhya, if it is possible for you, go at once to Vidarbha. After sunrise tomorrow she will choose a second husband, having given up Nala for dead.”

Sudeva was perplexed to hear these words, but said nothing for he knew Damayanti must have a deeper purpose. 

Brihad Aswa said, “and so it was, my dear King Yudhisthira, that the wise old brahmana Sudeva set out on the road to Ayodhya.”

Ayodhya