Bahuka

Transformed and unrecognizable, Nala receives a clear plan from Karkotaka: go to King Rituparna in Ayodhya as the suta Bahuka, exchange his skill with horses for Rituparna's skill with dice, and use that skill to reclaim his kingdom, his wife, and his children.

Parnada returns from Ayodhya with nothing from King Rituparna — but a deformed charioteer named Bahuka spoke to him in private, words that made no sense to the brahmana but strike Damayanti like a message from the dead.

King Rituparna tells his charioteer Bahuka that he wishes to reach Vidarbha in a single day for Damayanti's svayamvara. Bahuka's mind is torn apart by grief and suspicion — is Damayanti truly choosing another husband, or is this a ruse for his sake? Tormented, he resolves to go and discover the truth.

Rituparna rushes Bahuka repeatedly, who then selects lean but capable horses. The king objects — these weak animals cannot bear them such a distance. But Bahuka defends his choice, and when the king defers to his expertise, Nala yokes four noble horses and makes them kneel for the king to ascend.

As the chariot rises as if into the sky, confounding its occupants, Varshneya watches Bahuka's extraordinary control over the horses. He weighs the evidence — is this Matali, Shalihotra, or Nala himself? The age matches, the knowledge matches, but the deformed body gives him pause. He decides not to conclude without proof.

King Rituparna arrives in Vidarbha in the evening, his chariot roaring through the gates of Kundina. The sound reaches Nala's horses, who rejoice as if their master had returned. It reaches Damayanti, who is stirred with hope and grief. King Bhima welcomes Rituparna with honours, puzzled by the unexplained journey of over a hundred yojanas, while Bahuka — Nala in disguise — tends to the horses.

From the palace, Damayanti sees King Rituparna, Varshneya, and Bahuka — but not Nala. The chariot's roar was identical, yet the man is absent. Tormented by the mystery, she debates whether Varshneya has somehow acquired Nala's skill, or whether Rituparna equals him. Then she sends a messenger to search.

From her palace window, Damayanti sees a charioteer with short arms and a malformed body — and her heart grows calm. She sends her maid Keshini to question him, suspecting this is King Nala in disguise. Keshini learns he is Rituparna's charioteer and cook, and that Varshneya is with them, but the suspicion remains.

Keshini repeats the words of a grieving wife — about the gambler who abandoned her, the half-garment, the bird that stole it — and asks Bahuka to recount the tale. He speaks with a choked voice, suppressing his grief, but when he finishes, he weeps uncontrollably. Keshini reports everything to Damayanti.

Damayanti, hearing Brihadashva's account, suspects the charioteer Bahuka is her lost husband Nala. She sends her maid Keshini to secretly observe him — and Keshini returns with reports of impossible things: narrow passages widening before him, vessels filling with water at his glance, fire refusing to burn him, and flowers growing fresher in his hands.

Damayanti, now certain that Bahuka is Nala, weeps — but needs one final confirmation. She sends Keshini to steal meat from Bahuka's kitchen. When she tastes it, she recognizes the cooking of her husband from years before, and knows beyond doubt.

Keshini brings the twins to Bahuka. He recognizes them instantly — Indrasena and her brother. The king rushes to them, embraces them, places them on his lap, and weeps loudly, his grief and anguish pouring out. But then, abruptly, he sends Keshini away, fearing that her frequent visits may be misinterpreted.