Mb038, The Story Of Nala And Damayanthi (3) Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

To search for Damayanti, her daughter,
Brahmins were sent by Bhima, her father.
They searched her in nook and corner,
But there was no trace of her.

In Chedi one Brahmin traced her,
With a heavy heart he told her,
"Awaits you there your father,
Your children cry for their mother"

"I'm fortunate to find you here."
Damayanti in silence shed tear,
As to him she found no answer.
The separation she couldn't bear.

The queen came to know her mother,
Who was none but her own sister.
In the royal chariot she sent her.
Then good days started for her.

In Ayodhya, a Nala-like person,
The king's messenger had seen.
For Nala to come there he had a plan.
To conduct Svayamvara second one.

For the function no time was given,
The very next day was the occasion.
Only to King Rituparna an invitation,
Was sent to attend the function.

Nala offered to drive the chariot,
The horses galloped and ran fast.
Within a day they reached at last.
Nala only, they knew, did this feat.

Damayanti wept and cried,
No more Nala could hide.
With the poison then gone,
He got his true form again.

His kingdom once was lost,
With God's help back he got.
Every citizen he made happy
With his justice and fair play.

Sage Brihadasva told this story,
To remove Yudhishthira's worry,
And said, "Sufferers are many,
Once born with material body."

"Your brothers are by your side,
For Nala none was there to guide.
By vicious Kali, Nala was affected,
But by Krishna, you're protected."

"Grieve not over the dead past.
The time waits not but runs fast.
You'll defeat your enemies,
At the end emerge victorious."

With these words he departed.
For that day, the Pandavas waited,
When the victory would grace,
To free them from this disgrace.