The Final Game

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्

 देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत्

महाभरत

Mahābharata

As retold by

Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahāyogi

Nala and Damayanti:

Conclusion

The Return of Nala

NALA’S RETURN

By and by Nala set out for his home city of Nishadha with an army furnished by King Bhima. He rode out in a single white car accompanied by sixteen elephants, fifty armed horsemen  and six hundred infantry. The earth shook with the sound of his horses. And he rode hard as he approached the mighty city where King Pushkara now ruled. 

He was greeted by Pushkara himself who was very surprised to see the exiled king after all this time. He had been ordered never to return upon pain of death, but the king granted him audience.

“Pushkara,” said Nala. “I deserve a chance to play again. In my wanderings I have acquired vast wealth and I wish to risk it in order to win my kingdom back. I will bet all my vast fortune as well as my queen, Damayanti herself, against your kingdom.”

Pushkar wondered to see his old rival thus.  He said, “I have already bested you at dice.  It surprises me greatly that one so foolish at dice as to lose his entire kingdom would return years later for more punishment. But if you are so foolish as to gamble with me, then wager the fair Damayanti, as you say, and after winning her I shall be fortunate indeed.”

Nala was enraged, but steeled his nerves for the game.  The match was set. They sat at dice. King Pushkara threw. Pushkar’s courtiers smiled, for the odds were against Nala. If he lost the game he would lose all his treasure, all his wealth, his newfound kingdome in Vidarbha and his lovely wife, Damayanti.

Nala threw the dice. He won everything back in one throw. 

He smiled at Pushkara and said, “Justice is served. I have won. This kingdom is again mine. You might have beaten me before, but it was only by the influence of Kali. And yet, since Kali has now left me, I am free from his devilry. I shall not react in wrath, for that is the Kali’s domain. I take only what is rightfully mine. You may live at your pleasure. I give you the fair share of your estate. Let us be friends. You are, after all, my brother. May  you live for a hundred years in peace.”

And King Pushkara, while humiliated, understood that this was his fate, the fate of the gods, the luck of the draw, his karma. He accepted his lot, saying, “You are right, my brother. May your glory be everlasting. You have granted me my life and my city. I was wrong. I too fell under the influence of Kali. Forgive me. Let us be friends.”

Pushkara embraced his brother. He stayed on  for a while as Nala was re-established as King.  Nala recounted his adventures in the forest and as Vahuka the magic dwarf. At last Pushkar left Vishadha with his kinsmen and courtiers and a well-appointed army. The influence of Kali had disappeared completely.  Pushkara retired peacefully with his entourage and lived for many years allied with his brother Nala, who ruled as a great king.

Nala’s subjects were thrilled as he entered to regain the royal throne.  His citizens approached him from all over the country, saying, “O My liege. We rejoice in town and field at your return. We do homage to you as to Indra himself.”

After Pushkar had gone home and the festivities were done, when he saw that Nishadha was at peace, Nala called for his Queen. Damayanti was escorted home to Nishadha by King Bhima himself, with a mighty host of elephants, horsemen and charioteers. In this way Nala won back his kingdom and ruled Nishadha in Jambudwipa peace for many years.”

Bridhadaswa said, “Whoever hears this story will take heart against the sins of gambling. This story is destructive of the influence of Kali and who ever hears it will reflect on the uncertainty of human exertion.” And with these words, Vrihadaswa  concluded the story of Nala and Damayanti.