Bhima Sends Brahmanas to Find Nala
King Bhima has lost track of his daughter Damayanti and her husband Nala, who vanished into the forest after Nala lost his kingdom. He sends brahmanas in every direction with an extraordinary reward — a thousand cows and a village — for anyone who can find them, dead or alive.
When Nala lost his kingdom and left for the forest with his wife, King Bhima of Vidarbha did not wait. He sent brahmanas — learned men who could travel freely across kingdoms — to search for Nala and find him.
Bhima gave them a great deal of riches and told them what he needed: find Nala and his daughter Damayanti. He made the offer specific. Anyone who accomplished this task and discovered where the king of Nishadha was hiding would receive one thousand cows. He would also receive a village to live in, a village the size of a city. And even if Nala and Damayanti were not brought back — even if they were only discovered, their location confirmed — Bhima would still give riches equal to ten thousand cows.
The brahmanas heard the king's words and departed happily, scattering in all directions. They searched for Nishadha and his wife in many cities and countries, carrying Bhima's promise with them. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 362