Damayanti Pleads with Her Mother to Find Nala
Damayanti tells her mother plainly: if you want me alive, bring Nala here. The queen, choking with tears, brings the words to King Bhima, who sends brahmanas in every direction. Damayanti gives them a secret message — words only Nala would understand — and instructs them to report back without being discovered.
Damayanti spoke to her mother with the clarity of someone who had nothing left to lose.
"O mother! I tell you truthfully. If you wish to see me alive, please arrange it so that Nala, the brave one among men, is brought here."
The queen was extremely distressed. Her voice choked with tears. She could not reply. When the women of the inner quarters saw her in this state, they began to weep and lament grievously.
Then Bhima's wife went to the king.
"Your daughter Damayanti is sorrowing on account of her husband. Unrestrained by shame, she herself told me this. O king! Ask your messengers to make efforts to find Punyashloka."
King Bhima of Vidarbha sent brahmanas who were in his service in every direction, with instructions that they should try to find Nala. The bulls among the brahmanas came to Damayanti before they left, to receive her final instructions.
She told them what to say.
In every country, at every place where men gathered, they were to repeatedly utter these words:
"O gambler! O loved one! You are the one who sliced off half my garment. Where are you? You abandoned your beloved wife in a deserted region. It is in accordance with your instructions that she is still awaiting you, clad only in half a garment. The lady is tormented by grief. O lord of the earth! She repeatedly weeps because of that sorrow. O brave one! Show her your favour and reply to her words."
She told them that these words were a mark of favour towards her — because a fire that has the wind with it burns down the forest.
They were also to say: "The husband is always bound to protect and maintain his wife. You are learned in dharma. Why do you ignore these duties? You are famous, wise and kind and have been born to a noble lineage. But I fear that you have now become cruel and that is the reason my fortune has turned. O bull among men! O great archer! Show compassion towards me. You have often told me that compassion is the supreme dharma."
If anyone responded to these words, they were to find out everything about that man — who he was, where he lived.
"O supreme among brahmanas! If any man replies to your words, convey those words immediately to me. After accomplishing your task, you must return here immediately, so that he does not find out that you are there on Bhima's instructions. Whether he is rich or poor, or desirous of riches, you must find out what it is that he desires."
The brahmanas heard her words and went out in all directions. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 364