Section LXVI

"Vrihadasva said,

'O monarch, having deserted Damayanti, king Nala saw a mighty conflagration that was raging in that dense forest. And in the midst of that conflagration, he heard the voice of some creature, repeatedly crying aloud,

'O righteous Nala, come hither.'

And answering, 'Fear not,' he entered into the midst of the fire and beheld a mighty Naga lying in coils. And the Naga with joined hands, and trembling, spake unto Nala, saying,

'O king, that I am a snake, Karkotaka by name. I had deceived the great Rishi Narada of high ascetic merit, and by him have I been cursed in wrath, O king of men, even in words such as these:

’stay you here like an immobile thing, until one Nala takes you hence. And, indeed, on the spot to which he will carry you, there shalt you he freed from my curse. It is for that curse of his that I am unable to stir one step. I will instruct you in respect of your welfare. It behoves you to deliver me. I will be your friend. There is no snake equal to me. I will be light in your hands. Taking me up, do you speedily go hence.'

Having said this, that prince of snakes became as small as the thumb. And taking him up, Nala went to a spot free from fire. Having reached an open spot where there was no fire, Nala intended to drop the serpent, upon which Karkotaka again addressed him, saying,

'O king of the Nishadhas, proceed you yet, counting a few steps of thine; meanwhile, O mighty-armed one, I will do you great good.'

And as Nala began to count his steps, the snake bit him at the tenth step. And, lo! As he was bit, his form speedily underwent a change. And beholding his change of form, Nala was amazed. And the king saw the snake also assume his own form.

And the snake Karkotaka, comforting Nala, spake unto him,

'I have deprived you of your beauty, so that people may not recognise you. And, O Nala, he by whom you have been deceived and cast into distress, shall dwell in you tortured by my venom.

And, O monarch, as long as he does not leave you, he will have to dwell in pain in your body with you every limb filled with my venom. And, O ruler of men I have saved from the hands of him who from anger and hate deceived you, perfectly innocent though you are and undeserving of wrong.

And, O tiger among men, through my grace, you shalt have (no longer) any fear from animals with fangs from enemies, and from Brahmanas also versed in the Vedas, O king! Nor shalt you, O monarch, feel pain on account of my poison. And, O foremost of kings, you shalt be ever victorious in battle.

This very day, O prince, O lord of Nishadhas, go to the delightful city of Ayodhya, and present thyself before Rituparna skilled in gambling, saying, 'I am a charioteer, Vahuka by name.' And that king will give you his skill in dice for your knowledge of horses. Sprung from the line of Ikswaku, and possessed of prosperity, he will be your friend. When you will be an adept at dice, you shalt then have prosperity.

You will also meet with your wife and your children, and regain your kingdom. I tell you this truly. Therefore, let not your mind be occupied by sorrow. And, O lord of men, when you should desire to behold your proper form, you should remember me, and wear this garment. Upon wearing this, you shalt get back your own form.'

And saying this, that Naga then gave unto Nala two pieces of celestial cloth. And, O son of the Kuru race, having thus instructed Nala, and presented him with the attire, the king of snakes, O monarch, made himself invisible there and then!'"