Varshneya Suspects Bahuka is Nala
As the chariot rises as if into the sky, confounding its occupants, Varshneya watches Bahuka's extraordinary control over the horses. He weighs the evidence — is this Matali, Shalihotra, or Nala himself? The age matches, the knowledge matches, but the deformed body gives him pause. He decides not to conclude without proof.
Then the handsome King Nala, supreme among men, comforted the horses, which were endowed with energy and strength. Nala controlled the reins and made suta Varshneya ascend the chariot. Then those supreme horses were commanded by Bahuka in accordance with the rules. The chariot seemed to rise up into the sky, confounding the occupants.
The wise king of Ayodhya was extremely surprised when he saw those horses carry them with the speed of the wind.
Having heard the roar of the chariot and the control over the horses, Varshneya began to wonder about Bahuka's mastery over horses. Is this Matali, the charioteer of the king of the gods? Those great signs can be seen in the brave Bahuka. Or is this Shalihotra, who knows about the breeding of horses? Has he now assumed this beautiful human form? Or might it be King Nala, the destroyer of enemy cities? Has that king come here?
He began to think in this way. Or perhaps Bahuka knows some of the knowledge that Nala possessed. The skills of Bahuka and Nala seem to be the same. Then again, his age seems to be the same as Nala's. This is not the immensely valorous Nala, but he has the same knowledge. Sometimes, great-souled ones roam the world in disguise, driven by destiny, or malformed because of what has been said in the sacred texts. My mind is divided because of the deformity of his body. But it is my view that I should not decide in the absence of proof. They are equal in age. It is the form alone that is the difficulty. But then again, Bahuka has all the qualities and I think that he is Nala.
Punyashloka's old charioteer kept on thinking in his mind. Together with the charioteer Varshneya, King Rituparna also kept thinking about Bahuka's expertise with horses. He was extremely delighted on witnessing his strength, valour, enthusiasm, control over horses and diligence. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 366