03.056
Bṛhadaśva said.
Thus, after agreeing upon the time with Dvāpara, Kali, together with him, went to the place where King Nala (Naiṣadha) was. (03-56-1)
He, who was always introspective, resided in the Niṣadha mountains for a long time. Then, in his twelfth year, Kali saw an opportunity. (03-56-2)
After urinating, Nala washed and performed the twilight ritual; but since he did not cleanse his feet, there Kali entered him. (03-56-3)
He, having come near Nala with Puṣkara, went to Puṣkara and said: "Come, play dice with Nala." (03-56-4)
At the dice game, you will indeed be the victor over Nala together with me; having conquered him, O king, take possession of the Niṣadha kingdom—let that be enough for the king. (03-56-5)
Thus addressed by Kali, Puṣkara went to Nala. And Kali, becoming a bull among the cows, approached Puṣkara. (03-56-6)
But having approached the heroic Nala, Puṣkara, the destroyer of enemy heroes, repeatedly invited his brother with the words 'Let us play dice for stakes.' (03-56-7)
The great-minded king did not endure afterwards the summoning; while he watched Vaidarbhi, he thought it was the time of the competition. (03-56-8)
At that time, Nala, overpowered by Kali, lost in gambling all his gold, refined gold, chariots with yokes, and garments. (03-56-9)
None of his friends, however, was able to restrain him, intoxicated by the pride from dice, while he was heedless in play. (03-56-10)
Then all the townspeople, along with the ministers, O Bhārata, came eagerly to see the king and dissuade him. (03-56-11)
Then the charioteer approached Damayantī and informed her: "All these people of the city are standing at the door with some business." (03-56-12)
Let all the assembled ministers, who see to righteousness and duty and cannot tolerate the king's misfortune, inform the king of Niṣadha. (03-56-13)
Then Damayantī, her mind overcome by grief, emaciated by suffering, spoke to Nala with a voice choked with tears. (03-56-14)
O King, the townspeople, accompanied by all the ministers and devoted to the royal authority, are waiting at the gate, desiring to see you. Again and again, he spoke thus, saying, "You ought to see him." (03-56-15)
The king, possessed by Kali, did not say anything to her, who had beautiful eyes, a slender waist, and was weeping thus. (03-56-16)
Then all the ministers and the city-dwellers, saying "This one is no more," afflicted with grief and shame, went to their homes. (03-56-17)
Thus, that dice-game between Puṣkara and Nala took place; Yudhiṣṭhira, the virtuous one, was also defeated for many months. (03-56-18)
