MATH or MAGIC!

After he had left Damayanti, Nala came across a raging forest fire, in the the midst of which he heard a voice repeatedly crying: "O righteous Nala, come hither." Answering: "Fear not!", he entered into the midst of the fire and beheld a mighty naga lying in coils. With joined palms, and trembling, the naga spoke: "O king, I am a snake called Karkotaka. I had deceived the great rishi Narada previously and was cursed by him to this effect: 'Stay thou here like an immobile thing, until one Nala taketh thee hence. And, indeed, on the spot to which he will carry thee, there shalt thou be freed from my curse.' It is due to this curse of his that I am unable to stir one step. I will instruct thee in respect of thy welfare. It behoveth thee to deliver me. I will be thy friend."

Then that king of snakes became as small as the thumb. Taking him up, Nala went to a spot free from fire. Before he could place the serpent down, Karkotaka said: "Proceed a few more steps. Meanwhile, I will do thee great good." As Nala began to count his steps, the snake bit him on the tenth step. Nala's form rapidly started to change, and he was amazed to see it. He also saw the snake assume a new form.

Karkotaka, comforting Nala, spoke: "I have deprived thee of thy beauty, so that people may not recognise thee. And he by whom thou hast been deceived and cast into distress, shall dwell in thee tortured by my venom. As long as he doth not leave thee, he will have to dwell in pain in thy body, his every limb filled with my venom. O king, I have saved thee from the hands of him who from anger and hatred deceived thee, perfectly innocent though thou art and undeserving of wrong. Thou shalt not feel pain on account of my poison. O foremost of kings, thou shalt be ever victorious in battle. This very day, 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 thee his skill in dice for thy knowledge of horses. Sprung from the line of Iksvaku, and possessed of prosperity, he will be thy friend. When thou wilt be an adept in the science of numbers, thou shalt then have prosperity. Thou wilt also meet with thy wife and thy children, and regain thy kingdom. I tell thee this truly. Therefore, let not thy mind be occupied by sorrow. And, when thou shouldst desire to behold thy real form, thou shouldst remember me, and wear this garment. Upon wearing this, thou shalt get back thy own form."

The naga then gave Nala two pieces of celestial cloth. Having thus instructed Nala, and presented him with the attire, the king of snakes made himself invisible there and then!

Nala proceeded as directed by the naga, and on the tenth day entered the city of Rituparna. He approached the king and introduced himself: "My name is Vahuka. There is no one in this world equal to me in managing steeds. My counsel also should be sought in matters of difficulty and in all affairs of skill. I also surpass others in the culinary art. In all those arts that exists in this world, and also in every thing difficult of accomplishment, I will strive to attain success, O Rituparna, do thou maintain me."

Rituparna replied: "O Vahuka, stay with me! May good happen to thee. Thou wilt even perform all this. I have always desired to be driven fast. Do thou concert such measures that my steeds may become fleet. I appoint thee the superintendent of my stables. Thy pay shall be ten thousand. Both Varshneya and Jivala shall always be under thy direction. Thou wilt live pleasantly in their company. Therefore, O Vahuka, stay thou with me."