Kali Rages at Damayanti's Choice of Nala

The svayamvara was over. Damayanti had chosen Nala, and the gods — having taken on mortal forms and stood among the assembled kings — had accepted her choice and departed. They were returning to heaven when they saw two figures on the road ahead: Dvapara, and with him, Kali. Indra recognized them immediately. He stopped and asked: "O Kali! Tell me where you are going with Dvapara." Kali answered without hesitation. "I am going to Damayanti's svayamvara. My mind has gone out to her. On going there, I will choose her." Indra smiled. "The svayamvara is over. In our presence, she has chosen King Nala as her husband." The words struck Kali like a blow. His face darkened. His composure cracked. He turned to the assembled gods and spoke — not to Indra, but to all of them, his voice carrying the full weight of his fury. "In the midst of all the gods, she has chosen a man as her husband. Because of that, she certainly deserves severe chastisement." The gods did not flinch. They answered him calmly, as if explaining something a child should have understood. "It is with our sanction that Damayanti has chosen Nala. Since he possesses all the qualities, who would not choose King Nala? He knows everything about dharma and observes all the vows. Truth, perseverance, generosity, austerity, purity, self-control and pacification can be found in him. It is certain that this king, tiger among men, is the equal of the lords of the worlds." Then their tone shifted. "O Kali! Such are the qualities of Nala. The deluded one, who wishes to curse him, only curses himself and kills himself. He suffers difficulties and immerses himself in a bottomless and great hell, without any means of crossing it." The warning was precise: harm Nala, and you harm yourself. There would be no escape from the consequences. Having spoken, the gods departed for heaven. They left Kali and Dvapara standing on the road — Kali's rage still burning, the warning still ringing in the air, and the decision still before him.