Vahuka the Magic Dwarf and the chariot of the king

महाभरत

Mahābharata

As retold by

Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahāyogi

Nala and Vahuka: The Magic Dwarf

As the strange snake prince disappeared into the forest, Nala was confused. His body burned with the snakebite.

Bt as the poisonous venom coursed through his veins, his head became clear for the first time in days. He looked at himself again in the mirror of the stream and saw the ugly face of a twisted old dwarf with buck-teeth and bushy eyebrows. A coal-black beard completed his hideous appearance. Short and stout, he was dressed as a chariot driver. No, his own chariot-driver, Varshneya was better dressed. What had become of Varshneya, he wondered.

Suddenly, he remembered Damayanti. What had he done? What had possessed him to leave her in the forest? As the influence of Kali diminished, his conscience pricked him. But this was no time for lamentation. The snake venom moved through him, emboldening his steps. What had the Naga prince said? He must go to the city of Ayodhya, where once Lord Rāma had ruled so long ago. There he could bide his time until the moment came for him to regain his kingdom. There was still hope.

He stood up straight and dusted himself off. The acrid smell of burned wood still hung in the air. But now the sun was coming up over the mountains and he could see the path to Ayodhya through the mist.

“My name is Vahuka now,” Nala thought. Glancing again at his mirror image in the stream, he smiled. “Yes, the Naga was right. This is the perfect disguise. Who will recognize me? I will take the path to Ayodhya and seek out the king there. What was his name? Rituparna. I will go to Rituparna and train horses for a while.”

And so it was that Nala, in the form of the dwarf Vahuka, began walking down the forest path to Ayodhya, where after a few days he arrived. Making his way through the great gate of the city he reached the palace of the king whose name was Rituparna. “Vahuka is my name,” he sang, “and horses are my game.”

As luck would have it, Rituparna himself was just entering the palace courtyard, seated on his chariot. But the horses were upset. They pulled the chariot in all directions.

“Hold!” said his chariot-driver, as he pulled on the reins. The horses reared, baring their white teeth. They refused to obey. The chariot overturned. 

Rituparna was cast to the ground. Grabbing the reins, the chariot-driver lashed a black stallion with his whip, trying to bring him under control. The horse reared again, attacking the driver. Rituparna was trapped under a broken axle of the overturned chariot.  With hatred in his eyes the furious stallion made to trample the king. The chariot driver, whip in hand, ran from the maddened beast.

Just then the king saw an ugly dwarf, robust and muscular, stand before the raging horses. He put his stubby fingers in his mouth and whistled through his beard. The horses looked at him. They shook out their manes. He whispered a mantra in a foreign language. They stamped their hooves and switched their tails and then stood quietly, as if thoughtful. He approached the angry black stallion. Unable to reach any higher, he patted the horse on the shank. “ Stay.” He said. “It’s me. Stay now. That’s good.” The horse stood calmly, happy to receive the affectionate touch of Vahuka the dwarf. 

Having calmed the horses, the powerful dwarf bent over the king and lifted the chariot wheel from where it was crushing his chest. He helped Rituparna to his feet. “Who are you?” said the king with a smile, dusting himself off.

“Vahuka is my name, and horses are my game.”

“I can see that,” said the king. “You’re just in time. I’m afraid my chariot driver is not very experienced.” 

By this time the driver had returned, chastened by the accident.  “Jivala! Get back here.” The king said. “Meet Vahuka. He’s our new horse-trainer. You can learn a lot from this man.” Turning to Vahuka, the king said, “You will help us won’t you?”

Vahuka the magic dwarf bowed low before the king. "Allow me to introduce myself," he said. "I am Vahuka. No one on earth is my equal at taming wild stallions, harnessing fiery steeds to a chariot or racing horses. I give wise counsel in affairs of state and am no stranger to the use of arms. I am expert in the culinary arts and sciences. By simple touch, I produce fire."

And indeed by snapping his fingers, sparks flew. They fell on the dry straw on the earth near the chariot. The straw produced an ember which fanned by a slight breeze burst into a tiny flame.

"I can also call water from anywhere." And snapping his fingers again and touching the earth a trickle of water sprang from the ground and extinguished the fire.

Jivala, who stood there, whip in hand, was astonished. "This dwarf is surely magic!" he said to the king.

Vahuka continued, "I am well-known for my art in cooking. I was on my way to Vidarbha or perhaps Nishadha, for these kingdoms have a good reputation, but as I am fond of Lord Rāma, I couldn't possibly omit a visit to fair Ayodhya, Rāma's kingdom."

And King Rituparna said, "O Magic Dwarf, Vahuka. You have shown your prowess with horses. I am sure you are every bit as expert in the kitchen as you are in the stables. Stay here with us in Ayodhya. Help me with my horses. I shall pay you gold and silver coins of the realm. I shall appoint you stable-master. Jivala here shall assist you in anything you need."

Vahuka again bowed with a flourish. "As you wish, sire." he said.