In the previous episode, we had witnessed King Nala and Damayanti reuniting with each other after an eight-year suffering that they had to undergo because of Kali-Purusha. We’ve witnessed that as King Nala learnt the art of gambling, Kali-Purusha had no other option but to run away from King Nala’s body. With this, life took a huge “U-turn” for King Nala towards the good! As King Rituparna takes King Nala and Vaarshneya to Vidharba Desha, Damayanti identifies King Nala who was at that moment, in his disguised form as Bahuka. As Damayanti comes closer to Bahuka with her garland as part of the second “Svayamavara” event, he quickly uses the two clothes that Snake Kaarkotaka had given him to regain his original form. As Bahuka transforms into King Nala, Damayanti’s doubts are all cleared once and for all, and both of them reunite with each other! With this, King Nala defeats Pushkara and regains all his kingdom and wealth that he had earlier lost. King Nala requests Pushkara to stay on with him and gives him some important responsibility in the administration of the Nishaada Kingdom. Thus, King Nala’s “Charitra” becomes an evident example as to how a king has suffered because of the loss that he had obtained due to the gambling game.
Highlighting this story thus, Sage Brihadarsha explains to Yudishtra – “Oh Yudishtra! Now do you understand how King Nala had to undergo enormous difficulty because he had to lose the gambling game? If you compare your and his experiences, yours is much better! You atleast have five people near you who can cry for you! Whereas, King Nala had to cry all alone for himself! You have your wife with you to pour out all your emotions, and your wife is there with you to protect you in all ways! Whereas, King Nala had to lose his wife also in this pursuit. He was pushed to that extent wherein he had no other option but to desert his wife in the midst of the dark forest! Both of them had to roam alone, crying for each other in the forest! Are you having that sort of difficulty? Hence, Yudishtra! Please make up your mind and do not feel bad for whatever has happened! I’m of course, not criticising you that you’re bad. However, all I’m trying to tell you is that, please do not lose heart. Things will change with time. You’ve to be patient, and this is a test for your perseverance towards the path of “Dharma”! Please do not deviate from it!”
As Sage Brihadarsha says thus, he continues further to advise Yudishtra – “Oh Yudishtra! These are the ill-effects of playing the gambling game. It is an illegal affair and this is the reason why our ancestors had deemed this game to be illegal. However, I know that you were pulled into the game, and you never volunteered to play it. You were cornered and Duryodhana used your so-called “weakness” and tried to outsmart you. But please trust me – This is not going to be the situation for a long time. You would definitely regain all what you’ve lost. You are a great “Chakravarthy” and you would regain all your lost kingdom and wealth. Catch hold of Bhagawan Krishna firmly and He will guide you to glory very soon!”
As Yudishtra and the others hear this emotional and heart-touching accord from Sage Brihadarsha, the Paandavas pay all their respects towards him as he prepares to leave the place! So for today, let us understand the important message that Sage Brihadarsha conveys – If someone tries to outsmart us in the path of “Adharma”, this is not going to last long. We’ve to be patient and exhibit perseverance towards “Dharma”, and definitely Bhagawan would uplift us in some way or the other! We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further as we move on with what happened to Yudishtra and Co. from here on! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 