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NALA-DAMAYANTI
Nala felt compassion for the snake He extended bis shoulder cloth and helped it to get down But the soake did not spare him It gave him a severe bite Nala did not die, of course, but he lost his normal complexion and became swarthy He also developed a hump on his back Said he almost spontancously,
"Is this the reward you give me?"
But the spake was no longer there, and in its place stood a deva who said,
"My son' Have no misgiving. I am thy departed father Your ioauspicious karma is now up and you will pass through difficulties and dangers for a period of 12 years I have come here to render you a little assistance so that your enemies may not recogoise you and cause you further trouble. So I took out your normal complexion and made you a hunchback At the expiry of 12 years, you will again be the king at Ajodhya and be reunited with your wife."
The deva then gave Nala two fruits, a srifala and a karandaka and said,
“My son' If at any time you want to get back your original form, you decorate yourself with ornaments contained in the srifala and put on the divine cloth contained in the karandaka and you will become Nala again "
Nala was overwhelmed at the appearance of his departed father at this moment He bowed down before him and said,
"Father! If you be so kind to direct me, whither shall I turn my steps now? What will be good for me?"
No sooner did Nala utter these words than the deva physically lifted Nala up and placed him outside the city of Sumsumara and said,
