Nishadha

The gods, returning from Damayanti's svayamvara, encounter Kali and Dvapara on the road. When Indra tells Kali the svayamvara is over and Damayanti has chosen Nala, Kali's rage ignites — and the gods warn him that cursing Nala will only bring ruin upon himself.

Pushkara challenges his brother Nala to dice, and Nala — possessed by Kali — cannot refuse. Over months of gambling, he loses silver, gold, vehicles, and garments while Damayanti watches helplessly, and no well-wisher can stop him from throwing the next throw.

For twelve years, the demon Kali waits in the land of the Nishadhas, watching King Nala for a single moment of ritual carelessness. When Nala performs his evening ceremony without washing his feet first, Kali finds his opening — and the ruin of a kingdom begins.

Damayanti has heard Bahuka's words and knows Nala is alive — but she needs to force him to reveal himself. She summons Sudeva and gives him a message for King Rituparna: Damayanti will hold a second svayamvara tomorrow morning, because Nala's fate is unknown.

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.

Damayanti has heard Parnada's report and knows what she must do — but she cannot let her father Bhima know. She goes to her mother in secret and reveals her plan: send the brahmana Sudeva to Ayodhya to bring Nala back, while keeping the king in the dark.

With Bhima’s permission and a small army, Nala returns to Nishadha and confronts his brother Pushkara. He offers a single stake: all his new wealth, Damayanti, and his life — against the kingdom. Pushkara, certain of victory, laughs and accepts the dice game.

Pushkara, his eyes red with anger, demands that Nala stake everything. Nala smiles and accepts. In a single throw, Pushkara loses his entire kingdom, his treasures, and his life. But Nala does not kill him — he embraces him as a brother and sends him away in peace.