Damayanti Summons Advisers to Reverse Nala's Losses

Damayanti saw that King Punyashloka — Nala the truth-speaker, the man she had chosen in the swayamvara over the gods themselves — had lost his senses. He was like one maddened, consumed by the gambling that had stripped him of everything. But Damayanti was not mad. She was overcome by fear and grief, yes, but her mind still worked. She thought about what great task could be performed for the sake of the king. She was alarmed at his sin — the sin of throwing away a kingdom — and she wished to ensure his welfare. She saw that Nala had lost all his possessions. There was nothing left to gamble. Perhaps now, she thought, the advisers could help. Perhaps they could find a way to reverse what had been done. She called her nurse, Brihatsena. "O Brihatsena! As if on Nala's instructions, go and bring all the advisers here. Go and tell them what objects have been lost and what riches still remain." Brihatsena went. The advisers heard that Nala had summoned them. They remarked to each other that perhaps their misfortune might have been reversed — perhaps the king had come to his senses. They returned to the court. When they arrived, Damayanti reported to Nala that the advisers were there. She waited for him to speak, to give them instructions, to do something. He did not reply. Not a single word. Damayanti stood there, overcome by shame. Her husband, the king, could not even acknowledge the men who had come to help him. She returned to her house. She had tried. The attempt had failed.