Nala Defeats Pushkara in the Dice Game

Pushkara’s eyes were copper-red with anger. He had won everything from Nala once before — the kingdom, the wealth, the wife — all through the machinations of Kali, the embodiment of the Kali Yuga who had possessed Nala and driven him to ruin. Now Nala stood before him again, having returned in disguise, having won Damayanti back, having served as a charioteer and a cook, having endured everything. And he was asking for a rematch. Pushkara said: Let us stake. Nala smiled. “Why do you talk? Talk after you have won.” The gamble began. With a single stake — all possessions, the kingdom, their very lives — Pushkara was defeated. In one throw, he lost his entire store of treasures and his life. The dice that had once betrayed Nala now turned against the brother who had usurped him. Having defeated Pushkara, Nala laughed and spoke to him. “This entire kingdom is now mine. All its thorns have been removed. O stupid one! O sinful king! You will not be able to set your eyes on Vidarbha’s daughter. You and your family have been reduced to the state of slaves. That I was earlier defeated by you was not because of your deeds. That deed was done by Kali. But fool that you are, you did not understand this. I will never ascribe to you the offences committed by others. May you live in happiness. I grant you your life. O brave one! Let there be no doubt about my affection for you. The fraternal love I have for you will never decrease. O Pushkara! You are my brother. Live for a hundred years.” He embraced him repeatedly — the brother who had exiled him, who had taken his wife in the dice game, who had driven him to wander in rags through the forests. And then he sent him off to his own city. Pushkara, comforted by Nala, joined his hands in salutation. “May your fame be without decay. May you live happily for ten thousand years. O lord of the earth! You have granted me my life and a place to live in.” He stayed for a month in Nala’s kingdom, honored by the king. Then he left for his own city, surrounded by his relatives, with a large army and humble servants, his appearance like that of the resplendent sun. After Pushkara had gone, Nala — prosperous, shorn of disease, laden with riches — entered his own city, which had been gorgeously decorated. He entered and comforted the citizens.