Nala Decides to Travel to Vidarbha
King Rituparna tells his charioteer Bahuka that he wishes to reach Vidarbha in a single day for Damayanti's svayamvara. Bahuka's mind is torn apart by grief and suspicion — is Damayanti truly choosing another husband, or is this a ruse for his sake? Tormented, he resolves to go and discover the truth.
Rituparna, lord of men, spoke to Bahuka in a comforting and soft voice. "O Bahuka! I wish to go to Vidarbha for Damayanti's svayamvara. You are skilled with horses. Do you think that it can be done in a single day?"
Hearing these words, Nala's mind was rent asunder with grief. The great-minded one was tormented with sorrow.
He thought: If Damayanti has decided to do something like this, she must be demented with grief. Or is it that she has thought of a great means for my sake? Why has the ascetic daughter of Vidarbha decided to perform this cruel act? I am mean and deceitful and my intelligence has been deluded by sin. In this world, feminine nature is fickle. My sin was also terrible. So must it then be. But will she act in this way and forget all her love? That slender-waisted one is anxious for my sake and is despairing. But she can never act in this way, especially because she has children.
It is certain that we have to go there and truly find out what is happening. I will accomplish Rituparna's desires, because that is what I want too.
Bahuka decided this in his mind. In a dejected state, he went to King Rituparna. He joined his hands in salutation and said, "O tiger among men! O lord of men! I give you my word that we will reach the city of Vidarbha in a single day."
Having obtained King Bhangasvari's orders, Bahuka went to the stables and inspected the horses. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 366