- Author : Vidwan Sri Ramavithalacharya
- Translation & Illustration : Smt. Chomini Prakash
A happy end to the separation
Feeling that Bahuka might be Nala, Damayanti subjects him to various tests, through her maid. The messenger Keshini related all the oddities she noticed in Bahuka to Damayanti. Damayanti furthered her examination. She, throug Keshini, cleverely got the food cooked by Bahuka and tasted it. She felt that it bore the flavor of Nala’s cooking. Yet, she imposed another test and sent her two children before Bahuka. Nala was overcome by grief upon seeing his children. He embraced them tightly and wept. Soon after, presuming that Keshini may recognise him to be Nala, he gained composure and said, “Seeing these children, I was reminded of my own children who are just as lovely.” Keshini narrated all that had transpired to Damayanti.
Damayanti told Keshini – “Go to my mother at once. Tell her ‘I have tested Bahuka in several ways and it is becoming certain that he is Nala. However, the reason for his ugly appearance has been troubling me. Tell Bahuka to come to my inner palace.’” Keshini obeyed Damayanti’s orders. Bahuka arrived at Damayanti’s chamber upon the instruction of her parents.
Nala became overwhelmed with sorrow as he stood in front of Damayanti and shed tears of grief. Despite her beloved being beside her, unable to move the screen of her mental dilemmas, Damayanti was miserable and withered in pain. She said, “O Bahuka! Do you know of a virtuous man who abandoned his tired wife at the forest while she was asleep? Who, but for the righteous Nala, could desert his innocent and dear wife in a fatigued state? What offence did I commit in his matter since my childhood? Could he, forsake his wife, who lovingly chose him in marriage over the demigods and begot him beautiful children? Could he, who took my hand in the presence of the holy fire, honored the words of the swans and vowed to never let go of my hand, do this?”
Nala was harrowed with every word spoken by Damayanti and his eyes shed tears incessantly. Unable to bear the piercing emotion anymore, Nala said, “My love! I am that very Nala who deserted you midway. Forgive me. This is not an offence that I have knowingly committed. It was Kali who possessed and induced me, caused me to lose everything in the game of dice and abandon you. Lamenting the separation from me, you were overcome by grief and cursed the person who was responsible for it. Owing to that curse, Kali burnt and agonized even as he dwelt within me. My observance of austerities and knowledge of the eternal truths, forced him to leave my body. Hence, I myself, have come to you.”
“I was disconcerted with grief upon hearing the news of Damayanti’s second swayamvara. How could a chaste wife forsake her loving husband and marry another man? You are not one to do so. Yet, when the messengers came and spread this news, I mourned again and again.”
Upon hearing these lamentations of Nala, Damayanti became frightened and trembled. With folded palms she pleaded, “My beloved! Do not misunderstand me. I am not one with such lowly thoughts. I sent out brahmanas to look for you. When a brahmana named Parnada brought news of you, this ploy was devised to bring you back here. Apart from you, there is none who can charioteer a distance of hundred yojanas in a day. Touching your feet, I vow that I have never considered another marriage or man. The wind, sun and moon are witnesses to the fact that my mind is neither polluted nor have I lost integrity. If I have committed any sin, may the Gods, who stand witness, take away my life.”
Soon after Damayanti confessed thus, the God of Wind spoke from the sky, “Nala! I shall relate the truth. Listen. Damayanti has done no wrong. Her chastity is absolute. We, the Sun, Moon and Wind are testimony to this. During the three years of your separation, we have been her protectors. The idea of the second swayamvara was only to beget you. She devised this plan, being aware that none could charioteer a hundrend yojana distance in a day apart from you. Therefore, without apprehension, unite with your very own Damayanti.”
As soon as the Wind God spoke thus, there was a floral shower from the sky. The celestial kettledrums began to play. A pleasurable cool breeze blew around. Love united them. The distance between them ended and their unison became eternal. Nala draped himself in the garment given to him by Karkotaka. Nala’s deformities vanished and he stood smiling as he regained his former, original, beautiful and effulgent appearance. Damayanti was overjoyed. She shed her inhibitions and embraced Nala’s broad chest tightly and clung to him like an armor. Clasped in his arms, she screamed aloud with delight and rejoiced. The children approached with tender affection. Nala lovingly embraced them. He was elated with joy. Three years of separation ended and the fourth year began with a shower of happiness.
This is the untainted love story of pious hearts – a story of unswerving mutual love. A stray bad phase, combined with the affliction of Kali, led to the loss of wealth and separation from the beloved. Physical distance strengthened the proximity of the hearts. The unison of these two hearts was heartening. The fire of separation turned into ashes and the flame of devotedness blazed. Three years of turbulence became subdued. How can the youth of today ever experience the joys of two hearts coming together when casual associations, loss of curiosity about marriage owing to content available on technological mediums, absence of experience of the small joys of love and the resultant apathy, imprudence and arrogance that money can beget all, and use and throw culture are the norm?
How would the haughty damsels of today, who lead mechanical lives, place preconditions that the groom shouldn’t live with his parents, earn lakhs of rupees, hold the divorce papers and pen in hand, marrying with exhibitionism, ever be able to understand the heartening marital values of Nala – Damayanti?
