Nala Counts the Vibhitaka Fruits
As the chariot races toward Vidarbha, King Rituparna sees a vibhitaka tree and boasts he can count every leaf and fruit on it. Nala, still in his disguise as the charioteer Bahuka, dismounts, cuts down the tree, and counts — finding the king's number exactly right.
Like a bird travelling in the sky, the chariot swiftly crossed rivers, mountains, forests and lakes.
As they sped along, King Bhangasvari — Rituparna, the ruler of Kosala — noticed that his upper garment had fallen off. He told Nala: "I will go and get it. Restrain these immensely swift horses. Varshneya can then go and retrieve the garment."
Nala replied: "Your garment fell down far behind. We have travelled more than a yojana since then. It is not possible to get it back now."
While he was thus addressed, King Bhangasvari came to a forest where there was a vibhitaka tree laden with fruit.
On seeing the tree, the king immediately told Bahuka — for Nala was still in his disguised form as the charioteer: "O suta! Now witness my great prowess at counting. Everyone does not know everything. Indeed, there is no one who knows everything. O Bahuka! In this tree, the number of leaves and fruits that are still on it is more than those that have fallen down by one hundred and one. O Bahuka! There is one more leaf and one hundred fruit. Those two branches have five crore leaves. Take those two branches and their twigs. The fruits there will number two thousand and ninety-five."
At that, Bahuka descended from the chariot and told the king: "O king! O oppressor of enemies! You have stated something that is beyond my perception. O king! If I count, nothing will be left to supposition. O great king! Witness as I count the number of vibhitakas. I do not know whether your statement is right or wrong. O lord of men! You will see as I count the number of fruit. Let Varshneya handle the reins of the horses for the moment."
The king told the suta: "We do not have any time to delay."
But Bahuka told him with great humility: "Wait for only an instant. Or if you wish to hurry, take Varshneya as your charioteer. From here onwards, the road is smooth."
Rituparna comforted him and said: "O Bahuka! There is no one on earth who is your equal as a charioteer. You know about horses. I desired to go to Vidarbha with your help. I seek a favour with you. Please do not create obstacles. O Bahuka! I will do whatever you wish, and whatever you tell me, if you take me to Vidarbha today and show me the sunrise there."
At that, Bahuka told him: "I will count the vibhitakas and then go to Vidarbha. Please do what I ask you to."
Unwillingly, the king asked him to proceed with the counting.
He dismounted from the chariot and swiftly cut down the tree. He was extremely surprised that, on counting, the number of fruits was exactly what the king had told him it would be.
He said: "O king! This is extraordinary and I have seen your powers. O king! I wish to know the learning through which you have known this."
But the king was in a hurry to leave and replied: "Know that I am versed with the heart of the dice and have expertise in counting."
Bahuka said: "O bull among men! Give me that knowledge. And take from me the knowledge about handling horses."
King Rituparna desired to imbibe the knowledge about horses and there was also the urgency of his task. So he told Bahuka: "Let it be that way. Accept from me the supreme knowledge about the heart of the dice. O Bahuka! But let my knowledge about horses remain in your heart as a trust."
Having said this, Rituparna gave his knowledge to Nala. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 367