58. KALI YUGA ENRAGED

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > NALOPAAKHYAANA PARVA > CHAPTER 58 - KALI YUGA ENRAGED

Summary: Lokapaalaas meet Kali Yuga and Dwapara Yuga and inform that Damayanti has chosen Nala for her husband; Enraged Kali Yuga has decided to punish Nala and Damayanti.

“Brihadashwa said, ‘When the blazing Lokapaalaas were returning after the daughter of Bhima (Damayanti) had chosen Naishadha, on their way they met Dwapara (Yuga) with Kali (Yuga) approaching towards them. Seeing Kali, Shakra (Lord Indra) - the slayer of Bala and Vritra, said, ‘O Kali, say where you are going with Dwapara.’ Immediately Kali replied to Shakra, ‘Going to Damayanti’s Swayamvara, I will obtain her (for my wife), as my heart is fixed upon that lady.’ Hearing this, (Lord) Indra said with a smile, ‘That Swayamvara is already ended. In our sight, she has chosen Nala for her husband.’

“Thus, answered by Shakra, Kali, that evil of Devas, filled with anger, addressing all those Devas spoke, ‘Since in the presence of Devas, she has chosen a human for her lord, it is meet that she should undergo a heavy doom.’ Upon hearing these words of Kali, Devas answered, ‘It is with our sanction that Damayanti has chosen Nala. What lady is there that would not choose king Nala endued with every virtue (Guna in Sanskrit)? Well-versed in all duties, always conducting himself with Dharma, he has studied four Vedas together with the Puranas that are regarded as the fifth. Leading a life of harmlessness to all creatures, he is truth-telling and firm in his vows, and in his house Devas are ever satisfied by yagnas held according to the ordinance. In that tiger among men – that king resembling a Lokapaalaa, is truth, patience, knowledge, Tapas, purity and self-control, and perfect calmness of soul. O Kali, the fool that wishes to curse Nala bearing such a character, curses himself, and destroys himself by his own act. O Kali, he that seeks to curse Nala crowned with such virtues, sinks into the wide bottomless pit of hell widespread with torments.’ Having said this to Kali and Dwapara, Devas went to heaven.

“When Devas had gone away, Kali said to Dwapara, ‘I am not able, O Dwapara, to suppress my anger. I shall possess Nala, deprive him of his kingdom, and he shall no more sport with Bhima’s daughter. Entering the dice, it is your duty to help me.’”